Congress complicates war funding with new demands

[babylonsister]

Congress complicates war funding with new demands
Republicans and Democrats want to add measures that could lead to a Bush veto.
By Gail Russell Chaddock

from the April 22, 2008 edition


Washington - Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are signaling that the White House can expect a struggle over this year's $108 billion war-funding request.

As ever, the bill that funds the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan sets up a test of whether lawmakers can rally enough votes to force a change of course. So far, all efforts to mandate a timetable to end the war have failed.

But this year, the war supplemental is also one of the few spending bills likely to pass in the final months of the 110th Congress. That makes it a magnet for other spending priorities on Capitol Hill.

Democrats are pulling together a package of up to $30 billion to boost the economy. President Bush says he will veto any bill that includes funding that he did not request or a timetable for a US exit from Iraq.

more...

http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0422/p02s01-uspo.html

[SpiralHawk]

1. "No way will I allow a cut in republicon crony war profits. Smirk." - Commander AWOL

[KharmaTrain]

2. Here's An Easy Prediction

Struggle? How about playing political football. Here's hoping the Congress grows a bigger pair and makes this regime sweat for every blood cent they request...but in the end, the Democrats will cave again for fears of being "weak on defense". My hope is that before they do cave, they force concessions from this regime. The sicky mess here is that by defunding the war, this regime will find a way to pay for it other ways...taking money from much needed (and shrinking government services)...or from other parts of the military budget; hurting the military further. Sad fact is this country is stuck in Iraq at the present level, if not higher, between now and 1-20-09...defunding won't end this mess one days sooner.