House passes defense bill

[babylonsister]

http://thinkprogress.org/2008/01/16/house-passes-defense-bill/

House passes defense bill.

Today, the House passed a new $696 billion defense authorization bill that includes a pay raise for troops. AP reports:

President Bush had rejected an earlier version of the legislation because he said it would expose the Iraqi government to expensive lawsuits.

The new bill, which passed, 369-46, would let Bush grant Iraq immunity under the provision, which otherwise guarantees that U.S. victims of state-sponsored abuse can sue foreign governments in court. Iraqi officials objected to the measure because they said it would have subjected Baghdad to high-dollar payouts in damages from the Saddam Hussein era.

The administration now supports the bill, said White House spokesman Tony Fratto.

”We appreciate that the House moved quickly to address the serious concerns the president had,” he said.

The revised measure also makes the 3.5 percent pay increase for troops — included in the original bill — retroactive to Jan. 1.

[Horse with no Name]

1. Isn't it special that we are giving immunity

Bush won't sign ANYTHING that doesn't have immunity for someone attached.
Gotta love Congress.
Send it once...he refuses. Oh well, in that case...here you go sir. Just as you wished. Is there anything else I can do? Shine your shoes? Lick your ass? Oh anything, we are here and ready to serve at YOUR pleasure. :puke:

[babylonsister]

2. I just don't understand what they're thinking. They're waiting him out,

but what they're willing to swallow is absurd.

[MasonJar]

3. Wasn't there some issue about immunity for other miscreants, like W himself?

Wasn't that the actual reason that he vetoed the original bill. Good job, Nancy, giving the emperor with no clothes exactly what he wants.

[Hydra]

4. .7 trillion dollars

Can't we think of something better to do with that then to send it to Haliburton?

[Hippo_Tron]

5. I appreciate that our troops are getting a pay raise, more than the Republic Party did, but...

It is clear that Pelosi isn't even trying to outmaneuver Bush in terms of policy. I don't think we could get every concession out of Bush that we wanted but if we'd stop showing every card that we have, we may get some concessions. Pelosi isn't even willing to take the risk.

[ThomWV]

6. Did you hear the paradox the bill contains that Kucinich brought to our attention today?

It seems a good bit of the defense spending that we have comming is in support of a defense against Iran's nuclear capability. Kucinich notes that our CIA tells us that no such threat exists yet (I think I heard him say) a third of our new DOD funds are devoted to combating it.

Who says things aren't nuts? The Government on one hand tells us the threat doesn't exist and on the other hand spends a vast portion of its budget to defend us from that same nonexistant threat.

[VP505]

7. Between the low approval ratings

* has and a solid majority in the House there is little reason, IMO, for the Dem's to cave time and again. This is getting to be way past disgusting.

[BeHereNow]

9. Makes you want to...

:banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

and

:puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke:

Eh?
BHN:grr: :grr: :grr: :grr:

[Justice Is Comin]

8. Why don't they just stay home.

The only vote they haven't caved on is the one to raise their pay. What a bunch of useless shits.

[Maine-ah]

10. k&r

should be on the front page