House Democrats May Seek Short-Term Financing of War

[maddezmom]

Source: New York Times

By CARL HULSE
WASHINGTON, May 7 — House Democrats may push ahead this week with a new war spending bill that would provide money for combat operations through midsummer, with the rest of the funds sought by President Bush withheld until commanders in Iraq provide a report on conditions there.

Senior Democratic officials say the proposal, which is still being put together and could reach a floor vote by the week’s end, is an attempt to provide the Pentagon with the money it needs while keeping pressure on Mr. Bush over his conduct of the war.

The House leadership had made no final decision, but aides said Representative Nancy Pelosi, the House speaker, was leaning toward the approach, which was developed by Representatives David Obey of Wisconsin and John P. Murtha of Pennsylvania, two senior Democrats on the Appropriations Committee.

Congressional officials said that so far, the proposal had not met serious opposition from the party’s antiwar wing or from more moderate Democrats anxious about being accused of not financing the military.

It does not include the timeline for withdrawal that drew Mr. Bush’s veto of the initial $124 billion bill, but it would require a second vote by Congress to release the bulk of the money.



Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/08/washington/08cong.html?ref=washington&pagewanted=print

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. They are tightening the srews

the parallels to Nam are just so astounding

[pretty_lies]

2. Absolutely Pathetic

What a cave-in.

Hey, hundreds of soldiers and 10,000's of Iraqis aren't worth as much as your political hides, Dems. Sure you're against the war when you're giving Bush billions to continue it.

Or is it that the DLC has calculated the best chance of winning 2008 is a campaign against the war? Can't do that if they've ended it already, can they?

[Kolesar]

3. ^- I could apply *your* subject line to *your* post ... eom