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.
See my post #16
And I thought Pelosi was incapable of blinking.
Yep!
The Dems consider Iraq to be their best issue against Republicans in the ‘08 elections. Despite all the bluster in recent months, the very last thing the Dems actually want is our soldiers to come home. If that happened, their best issue goes up in smoke. The Dems want to be seen trying to bring the troops home, but being blocked by Bush and the Republicans. That way they can say, “see, we tried, but without more seats in Congress and the Oval Office itself, there’s nothing we can do.” This will be their campaign all next year. And unless Iraq looks a hell of a lot better than it does now (and I doubt it), their plan will work like a charm. Tack on to that the Bush/GOP sellout on immigration and 2008 is looking pretty bleak for Repubicans.
They didn’t blink. That was the plan all along.
And a great plan it was. Drag it out until their numbers are as low as Bush’s.
Hey, hold on there speedy! Why, the new amnesty immigration bill requires that each illegal alien undocumented worker pay fines, return to his homeland country of origin, obtain the "Z Visa", sneak across the border return under a guest worker program, etc. There's no way he could get all that done in time to vote Democrat!!
</sarcasm>
Brilliant. You got it.
The only way to trump the Dims is to win this war before 2008, now that we have the money.
You’re right... but I was thinking, the amnesty bill will sway more of the latino population who are US citizens to the Democratic voter base. I believe Bush got 40% of the latino vote in 2004 and the Democrats are probably banking on being able to pick up a chunk of that with the new amnesty bill.
Yep ... and Bush’s numbers are taking more hits on immigration.
It’s analogous to Vietnam in 1972. Only some of the troops need to be home, but the tide of the war must be demonstrably in our favor, even with the MSM bias against the Administration.
- = - = -
My thought, precisely
And now we see the by-product of the amnesty bill.
Agreed. And I hope this administration is still loyal to the Republican party -- and is willing to facilitate this perception for the sake of the 2008 elections.
Well at least The war will be funded for FOUR MONTHS I’m sure this makes our troops feel better!!!! Makes the terrorists feel better too!!! This Bill was about a minimum wage increase period. This type of political showmanship is SICKENING. To think we’re going to have to put up with this crap till 2008???? My God, where is this sick country headed???
I would check the fine print and also look for invisible ink ...
Yes, you’re correct. I was just agreeing with you in a sarcastic way.
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