Posted on 11/14/2007 7:15:48 PM PST by SmithL
House Democrats pushed through a $50 billion bill for the Iraq war Wednesday night that would require President Bush to start bringing troops home in coming weeks with a goal of ending combat by December 2008.
The legislation, passed 218-203, was largely a symbolic jab at Bush, who already has begun reducing force levels but opposes a congressionally mandated timetable on the war. And while the measure was unlikely to pass in the Senate — let alone overcome a presidential veto — Democrats said they wanted voters to know they weren't giving up.
"The fact is, we can no longer sustain the military deployment in Iraq," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. "Staying there in the manner that we are there is no longer an option."
The White House pledged to veto the bill, and Republicans said they would back the president.
"In addition to infringing upon the president's constitutional authority as commander in chief, the bill would mandate a precipitous withdrawal of troops that could increase the probability that American troops would have to one day return to Iraq to confront an even more dangerous enemy," an administration statement said.
The bill represents about a quarter of the $196 billion Bush requested for combat operations in the 2008 budget year, which began Oct 1.
It would compel an unspecified number of troops to leave Iraq within 30 days, a requirement Bush is already on track to meet as he begins in coming weeks to reverse the 30,000 troop buildup he ordered earlier this year. It also sets a goal of ending combat by Dec. 15, 2008, and states that money included in the bill should be used to redeploy troops and "not to extend or prolong the war."
The measure also would set government-wide standards on interrogation,...
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
someone please tell them we’re winning
Yep
Interesting that the article points out the president is already doing the things this unconstitutional piece of legislation is attempting to force upon him.
Come writers and critics
Who prophesize with your pen
And keep your eyes wide
The chance won’t come again
And don’t speak too soon
For the wheel’s still in spin
And there’s no tellin’ who
That it’s namin’.
For the loser now
Will be later to win
For the times they are a-changin’.
Bob Dylan
This is a dog-and-pony show for the MoveOns and the CodePinks.
The military started the draw-down already, they know this bill has no chance of passing, and the party of surrender is doing it to show they “won’t give up”?
What kind of complete insanity has taken over up there?
WE have to get a clip of when Obey from Wisc. made the sarcastic remark about a Republican congressman’s comments about attending the funeral of a fallen soldier and talking with the soldier’s mother. There was a woman (probably Obey’s aide) behind Obey who found it all so funny she just couldn’t contain herself...she was laughing like the fool she looked like. This took place at approx. 8:15 east coast time. It’s been awhile since I’ve been this angry about something in politics!
Prepare the veto pen Mr. President. If the Senate has any brains, this will die there. Hopefully, all the repeated, and enthusiastic, votes for surrender will come back to bite the Surrendocrats in the ass.
I love how they pick December 2008. They’re counting on a Democrat winning the presidency, and they want to make sure the war is over by the time they take office, so that liberals can still blame 100% of everything related to Iraq/ Afghanistan on Bush and the new president can come in with no “wars” to deal with.
Now they are saying we can't afford to stay,we need the money here,for the children don't ya' know.
They are traitors,selling out our Troops,the Iraqi people,our Country for leftist wingnut votes in "08"
They disgust me.
Oh they know and they're scared sh*tless about it.
That's why they keep pulling stunts like this.
I might have to go to the range this weekend. My finger is itchy.
The pen is ready.
Press Secretary Dana Perino: If the President is presented with this version of the bill he will veto it.... in case they [the Democrats] have missed it, our troops are fulfilling their mission in spectacular fashion. They are working to bring down that violence in Iraq, to establish political reconciliation, to improve the economy. People are starting to return to Baghdad and to their homes. Pulling the rug out from under our troops now is the height of irresponsibility.
That’s what they’re afraid of.
Who were the four republicans that voted for this bill?
We should withdraw from Iraq
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
points to tagline
The Democrats know that troop drawdown has already begun. They want to be able to say it is because of them and not because of military success when November 2008 rolls around.
The Senate will see this for the political ploy that it is, and the Pubbies, even Rinos in an election year, will ensure that it doesn’t pass.
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.