Posted on 05/21/2007 1:14:27 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
WASHINGTON - In grudging concessions to President Bush, Democrats intend to draft an Iraq war-funding bill without a timeline for the withdrawal of U.S. troops and shorn of billions of dollars in spending on domestic programs, officials said Monday.
The legislation would include the first federal minimum wage increase in more than a decade, a top priority for the Democrats who took control of Congress in January, the officials added.
While details remain subject to change, the measure is designed to close the books by Friday on a bruising veto fight between Bush and the Democratic-controlled Congress over the war. It would provide funds for military operations in Iraq through Sept. 30, the end of the fiscal year.
Democrats in both houses are expected to seek other opportunities to challenge Bush's handling of the unpopular conflict later this year.
Democratic officials stressed the legislation was subject to change. They spoke on condition of anonymity, saying they were not authorized to discuss provisions before a planned presentation to members of the party's rank and file later in the day.
Democrats in Congress have insisted for months they would not give Bush a blank check for his war policies, and officials said the legislation is expected to include political and military goals for the Iraqi government to meet toward establishment of a more democratic society.
Failure to make progress toward the goals could cost the Iraqis some of the reconstruction aid the United States has promised, although it was not clear whether Democrats intended to give Bush power to order the aid to be spent regardless of progress.
Several officials said it was possible that Democrats would attempt to draft a second bill, to include much of the domestic spending that Bush and congressional Republicans have said they oppose.
Either way, Democratic leaders have said they hope to clear a war spending bill through both houses of Congress and send it to Bush's desk by week's end. They added the intention was to avoid a veto.
Bush vetoed one bill this spring after Democrats included a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops in Iraq, and Republicans in the House upheld his rejection of the measure.
The House then passed legislation to provide war funds in two 60-day installments. Bush threatened a veto, and the measure was sidetracked in the Senate in favor of a non-controversial bill that merely pledged to give the troops the resources they need.
That set the stage for the current House-Senate negotiations on a measure to send to Bush.
More like - Sell out our nation to help THEMSELVES?
Code Pinkos are going to be raging furious at the Dems. Hehe.
Everyone needs to call all the new Dem members of congress, like McNerney in CA, and complain in their best shrill moonbat voice, “You won office on this issue!! We put you there!!!”
this could be a ropeadope by President Bush. He gets the no time table bill passed and the illegal bill gets dragged down to futility.....
I’ve been saying this since last Friday.
I’m a late bloomer :)
Ding! Ding! Ding! No more calls folks, we have a winner!
I agree, we have to reach out to the Hispanics. Except for President Bush, the Republicans are not doing enough.
Folks,
The dynamic on this is crushing.
1) Tinfoil hats put away. The President has always had the same perspective on immigration and nothing changed on that. The Democrats, in the immigration proposal, are in the process of themselves ripping it apart — so Bush gave them nothing on that. They hate it as much on the left as the folks on the right do.
2) There are signs, becoming more and more clear, that Iraq is going to be a success. The Democrats are terrified of it. The Iraqis in the last few days have, from spokespeople in their government, made public requests that the US not leave. These are public statements that would never have been risked even one year ago, for fear of reprisal.
3) The Anbar success story is spreading to the rest of the country. The sheiks are feeling their oats and power and want to be major players in their parliament. And THAT describes the nature of the success — the people there are maneuvering for advantages within the framework of the democracatic government there. They seem to have signed onto the idea that there will be a parliament with a prime minister as far as the eye can see.
4) MoveOn is going to throw a fit tomorrow. All the hardcore left is, and the Democrat leadership is going to have to endure it because if they don’t get this off the table, they will accomplish nothing at all throughout the year. Frankly, this is their immigration bill. This could VERY well create splinter parties on their side the way immigration seems to be doing in the GOP.
5) The WH and GOP won’t say anything until the paper is in Bush’s hands to sign, but this is unfolding as an enormous victory for the President. This will buy the Iraqis time to relentlessly grow their military and police forces. This runs the enormous risk for the Democrats of the WH announcing right about this time next year, in the presidential campaign, that the Iraqis are successfully taking over security requirements in large parts of the country and therefore fewer US troops are needed there and will be coming home. That, people, is Victory with a capital V.
5)
The Kos Kiddies are frothing:
Comments:
100% of Repuglicans are evil, corporatist, war mongers.
Only 50% of Democrats. Unfortunately, that seems to include most of the current leadership and key committeefolk. F*ck!
-
We have a serious illness within the democratic party, and if we do not stand up now, we never will.
-
I’m sick of voting against Republicans. From now on, I only pull the lever for people who reflect my views. F*ck the rest.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/5/22/20613/8150
Meanwhile, over at DU, more heads are popping:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x3276552
Now you will have to excuse me while I take a long shower to scrub the stench off after visiting those sites.
That dang strategery! W wins on both! :-(
I am wondering if anyone else was watching C-Span last night (5/22/07)? I was quite surprised to hear something and would like to know; Did anyone, other than myself, hear David Obey, D-Wisconsin say, “that they would get the funding for Viet Nam - - - er, er, er, Iraq to the President’s desk”?
Thank you. I am so hurt because we were making such headway in the 2000 and 2004 election with the Hispanic vote. Most hispanics could relate to the GOP because most of them are Catholic (pro-religion), pro-life, good work ethic and pro-traditional marriage. I am afraid the tough rhetoric on this immigration bill will scare them off.
I am for border control and tough penalties on illegal immigration but I think we could debate it in a more thoughtful and less hysterical manner.(Sort of like Michael Medved).
Yummmmmmm. And I’m trying to lose 10 pounds before June 15 when I have to appear in public in a bathing suit. The horror.
Thank you president Bush!
yawn.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.