Budget Deal Would Probably Give Bush Victory On War Funding

[WillyT]

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Democratic lawmakers and staffers privately say they're closing in on a broad budget deal that would give President Bush as much as $70 billion in new war funding. The deal would lack a key provision Democrats had attached to previous funding bills calling for most U.S. troops to come home from Iraq by the end of 2008, which would be a significant legislative victory for Bush.

Democrats admit such a move would be highly controversial within their own party. Coming just weeks after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-California, vowed the White House would not get another dollar in war money this year, it would further antagonize the liberal base of the party, which has become frustrated with the congressional leadership's failure to push back on Bush's Iraq policy.

"The base will not be happy," said one senior Democratic aide, who requested anonymity to candidly discuss budget negotiations that have not been completed. The Democratic aide acknowledged the president is likely to get new money for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan before Congress adjourns for the year. "Yes, in the end, that's where we will be," the aide said.

A senior Republican aide also said both sides are nearing a deal that would give Bush a large chunk of the $200 billion in war funding he requested earlier this year. "We're not there yet, but we're close," the Republican aide said.

Privately, Democrats say they have little choice but to give the president at least some war funding because Senate Republicans have vowed to block any final budget deal unless it has at least some of the war funding Bush has requested.

The White House has also been aggressive about pointing out that Defense Secretary Robert Gates will have to start laying off some civilian employees and freezing some defense contracts unless the Pentagon gets new war money soon, putting vast political pressure on Democrats to give the troops more money before going home for Christmas. "We're calling on Congress to fully fund the troops," White House press secretary Dana Perino said Wednesday. "The troops need the money. Secretary Gates has been very clear -- since November 14, he has said that there might have to be furlough notices that go out if we don't get the money."

Still, Democrats are trying to sell $70 billion in new war funding as a partial victory for them. They point out that while the final numbers are still in flux during intense private negotiations, Bush is likely to get far less money than he originally requested.

"What is for sure is he will not get all $200 billion," said one senior Democratic lawmaker. "Whatever number it is, it is much less than what the president asked for. For the first time in this war, he has received less than his request."

But senior administration officials privately say they expect to be able to get at least of the rest of the president's $200 billion request passed through Congress next year.

<snip>

Link: http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/12/12/bush.war.funding/index.html

Excuse me... I have to go throw up now!

:puke:

[Bobbieo]

1. And, the beat goes on!!!!!!!

[Poiuyt]

2. I can't believe how disappointed I am in the Democratic leadership of this country

We need some fighters for our leaders.

I know that politics is the art of compromise, but why are we the ones who are always compromising?

[nightrider767]

3. Scum!

There is no government anymore...

At least not in any form that we might know.

[Truth2Tell]

4. "Senate Republicans

have vowed to block any final budget deal unless it has at least some of the war funding Bush has requested..."

Sooo... when we were in the minority we couldn't get our way because the minority has no power.

Now that we are in the majority we can't get our way because the minority will block it.

But the real story is this bullshit meme: "The White House has also been aggressive... putting vast political pressure on Democrats..."

Booo Hoooo, those mean Republicans are just toooo tough for us. We can't counter their spin - so why even bother to try? They are just tooo good at it! Booo Hooo.

Chickenshits.

Let me join you.. :puke:

[JCMach1]

5. So, caving again!

[Selatius]

6. Imagine how much help to education and health care and poverty relief 70 billion could bring.

You can build hundreds of schools and VA hospitals with that kind of cash, with enough left over for food stamps, low-income housing assistance, job training to give people opportunities, etc.