Senate Passes Iraq Pullout Bill

Ignoring Bush Veto Threat, Senate Approves Bill Setting Deadline For Troop Withdrawal

(CBS/AP)  Senate Democrats pushed through a bill Thursday requiring President Bush to start withdrawing troops from "the civil war in Iraq," dealing a rare, sharp rebuke to a wartime commander in chief.

In a mostly party-line 51-47 vote, the Senate signed off on a bill providing $123 billion to pay for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. It also orders Mr. Bush to begin withdrawing troops within 120 days of passage while setting a nonbinding goal of ending combat operations by March 31, 2008.

The president says he can't accept those terms and has promised a veto, reports CBS News correspondent Sharyl Attkisson. The troops' money hangs in limbo — with each side saying it's the other who's not supporting the boots on the ground. The outstanding question now is: Which side will blink first?

"We stand united in saying loud and clear that when we've got a troop in harm's way, we expect that troop to be fully funded," Mr. Bush said, surrounded by Republicans on the North Portico, "and we got commanders making tough decisions on the ground, we expect there to be no strings on our commanders."

"We expect the Congress to be wise about how they spend the people's money," he said.

The Senate vote marked its boldest challenge yet to the administration's handling of a war, now in its fifth year, that has cost the lives of more than 3,200 American troops and more than $350 billion.

"We have fulfilled our constitutional responsibilities," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., told reporters shortly after the vote.

If Mr. Bush "doesn't sign the bill, it's his responsibility," Reid added.

In a show of support for the president, most Republicans opposed the measure, unwilling to back a troop withdrawal schedule despite the conflict's widespread unpopularity.

"Surely this will embolden the enemy and it will not help our troops in any way," said Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala.

While Defense Secretary Robert Gates has said that setting timelines for withdrawal would hamper U.S. commanders in Iraq, he said Thursday that the debate on Capitol Hill has "been helpful in bringing pressure to bear" on the Iraqi government. He said it has made it clear to the Iraqis that "there is a very real limit to Americans' patience."

Gates also said he was disturbed to hear one of his military officers say it will be fall before they have a good idea how well the latest Baghdad campaign is going. He said he hopes that Gen. David Petraeus, the top commander in Iraq, will be able to make that evaluation by summer.

Forty-eight Democrats and independent Bernard Sanders of Vermont were joined by two Republicans, Chuck Hagel of Nebraska and Gordon Smith of Oregon, in voting for the measure. Opposed were 46 Republicans and Connecticut independent Joseph Lieberman.

Sens. Mike Enzi, R-Wy., and Tim Johnson, D-S.D., did not vote.

The House, also run by Democrats, narrowly passed similar legislation last week. The next step, CBS News correspondent Bob Fuss reports, is for a conference to meld the two bills together. That will not happen until after an upcoming two-week recess.

[j-whitman]

Funny -- Bush stopped desert training, mountain training for our troops (Iraq is desert, Afaganistan mountains) -
- Bush underfunded equipment repairs for our troops.

----- Now Bush is saying democrats are stopping training ?? Dems not repairing thier equipment ???? -- DROP DEAD GEORGE

[susanhelit]

Go Congress! Bush may have bypassed them, but maybe now they've got the guts to perform their role, and actually save us from this undeclared, unwinnable war.

[tejasdemo]

Good ! IT's about *** time !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[tejasdemo]

Good ! IT's about *** time !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[abbe7]

Third try to post ...

Try to imagine what would happen, had this passed (line item veto) ...
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/06/20060627-1.html

[abbe7]

What a pity for Bush the "line item veto" didn't pass ...

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/06/20060627-1.html

[abbe7]

Aren't you happy "line item veto" didn't pass ?

[starleo146]

I am not sure but Pres. Bush spent 4-500 billion on the Iraq war. He received from the house and senate all he asked for as far as funding this war for our troops. He called too much PORK well I contend he will pay anything to Iraq for what we don't know he says it's for the troops but they still lack the proper equipment How much is going to the government of Iraq for what? We have no oversight of this money. Now he calls helping Americans PORK this add on was for Katrina money he promised but never committed and way overdue, the California frost all but did the farming Industry in , the Spinach was for that e-coli that did the spinach crop in I say what is wrong with helping Americans Mr. Bush? How about that bridge to nowhere you let go through when the Republicans had the majority no mention of PORK then. It is the date March 2008 he didn't like this man needs to be IMPEACHED.

[liberalvet]

Good to see Bush and Co no longer have the rubber stamp to do whatever however. Beware you loyal Bush republican senators and congressmen, elections are coming up and you will be held accountable for your ignorance and incompetence...

The American people are more pi**ed of today than last year, and you got the big boot then what do you think is going to happen in 08.

[liberalvet]

Good to see Bush and Co no longer have the rubber stamp to do whatever however. Beware you loyal Bush republican senators and congressmen, elections are coming up and you will be held accountable for your ignorance and incompetence...

The American people are more pi**ed of today than last year, and you got the big boot then what do you think is going to happen in 08.

[mcvet]

I truly am begining to believe that this Born Again Wacko is out of his pathetic little mind... Bush that is. We have the most powerful Military on the Planet, that's an accepted fact. If you can't "free" a country to govern itself in 4 years with the most powerful Military on the Planet SOMETHING is wrong. What is wrong is simply that the Comander In Chief is not COMPETENT. He never planned this out and never looked at what would happen when these tribes of Religious Extremist were allowed to take out their "objections" on others. Coming from our South, with it's blood stained history, the Fool should have known. So the only reason he can't see what's going on or a way out? He thinks he's the King, that God bestowed this upon him, and HE, the KING, can't be wrong. If it kills everyone of us HE, KING GEORGE, will NOT be proven wrong.

[imprisonbush]

Great job Dems! Let the little shrubby traitor veto the bill. Dont compromise and let them run out of money because of his arrogance. Bring em home whatever it takes. The stupid little Shrub can't create a signing statement for a non-law. Then impeach, prosecute and hang the traitorous, war criminal Republicans - top to bottom --beginning with Cheney, then Bush, then Rumsfeld, then Gonzales, Rove, Libby, Condi Rice, Joe Lieberman, John McCain and the rest! Sell tickets to the hanging and use the money to rebuild this country.

[imprisonbush]

Great job Democrats. Let the little shrubby traitor veto the bill. Dont compromise and let them run out of money. Bring em home whatever it takes. Then impeach, prosecute and hang the traitorous, war criminal Republicans - top to bottom beginning with Cheney, then Bush, then Rumsfeld, then Gonzales, Rove, Libby, Condi Rice and the rest! Sell tickets to the hanging and use the money to rebuild this country.

[imprisonbush]

Great job Democrats. Let the little shrubby traitor veto the bill. Dont compromise and let them run out of money. Bring em home whatever it takes. Then impeach, prosecute and hang the traitorous, war criminal Republicans - top to bottom beginning with Cheney, then Bush, then Rumsfeld, then Gonzales, Rove, Libby, Condi Rice and the rest! Sell tickets to the hanging and use the money to rebuild this country.

[bluestardad]

THE ONLY STRINGS ON COMMANDERS IS NOW BEING PUT ON THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF BY THE PEOPLES ELECTED REPRESENTITIVES! THE REPUBLICAN SELL OUT AMERICA FIRST CROWD ARE GOING TO PAY ALSO!

Is their support for Israel more than their duty to the Americans living in their states?


Alexander, Lamar- (R - TN)
Allard, Wayne- (R - CO)
Chambliss, Saxby- (R - GA)
Cochran, Thad- (R - MS)
Coleman, Norm- (R - MN)
Collins, Susan M.- (R - ME)
Cornyn, John- (R - TX)
Craig, Larry E.- (R - ID)
Dole, Elizabeth- (R - NC)
Enzi, Michael B.- (R - WY)
Graham, Lindsey- (R - SC)
Hagel, Chuck- (R - NE)
Inhofe, James M.- (R - OK)
McConnell, Mitch- (R - KY)
Roberts, Pat- (R - KS)
Sessions, Jeff- (R - AL)
Smith, Gordon H.- (R - OR)
Stevens, Ted- (R - AK)
Sununu, John E.- (R - NH)
Warner, John- (R - VA)


SENATORS ARE influenceD BY AIPAC.

http://www.aipac.org/forms/join_aipacClubs.htm



Now here is the real kicker! President Bush is funding Al Qaeda in Lebanon with funds from Iraq! This is Impeachment and Treason! Here is the proof Read it!
http://www.newyorker.com/fact/content/articles/070305fa_fact_hersh


If you think Americas sacrifice is worth it contact your ELECTED OFFICIAL and tell them http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/

Speakers email address: [e-mail]

[e-mail]
Republican Party email

[e-mail]
Democratic Party email

[bluestardad]

THE ONLY STRINGS ON COMMANDERS IS NOW BEING PUT ON THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF BY THE PEOPLES ELECTED REPRESENTITIVES! THE REPUBLICAN SELL OUT AMERICA FIRST CROWD ARE GOING TO PAY ALSO!

Is their support for Israel more than their duty to the Americans living in their states?


Alexander, Lamar- (R - TN)
Allard, Wayne- (R - CO)
Chambliss, Saxby- (R - GA)
Cochran, Thad- (R - MS)
Coleman, Norm- (R - MN)
Collins, Susan M.- (R - ME)
Cornyn, John- (R - TX)
Craig, Larry E.- (R - ID)
Dole, Elizabeth- (R - NC)
Enzi, Michael B.- (R - WY)
Graham, Lindsey- (R - SC)
Hagel, Chuck- (R - NE)
Inhofe, James M.- (R - OK)
McConnell, Mitch- (R - KY)
Roberts, Pat- (R - KS)
Sessions, Jeff- (R - AL)
Smith, Gordon H.- (R - OR)
Stevens, Ted- (R - AK)
Sununu, John E.- (R - NH)
Warner, John- (R - VA)


SENATORS ARE influenceD BY AIPAC.

http://www.aipac.org/forms/join_aipacClubs.htm



Now here is the real kicker! President Bush is funding Al Qaeda in Lebanon with funds from Iraq! This is Impeachment and Treason! Here is the proof Read it!
http://www.newyorker.com/fact/content/articles/070305fa_fact_hersh


If you think Americas sacrifice is worth it contact your ELECTED OFFICIAL and tell them http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/

Speakers email address: [e-mail]

[e-mail]
Republican Party email

[e-mail]
Democratic Party email

[bluestardad]

THE ONLY STRINGS ON COMMANDERS IS NOW BEING PUT ON THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF BY THE PEOPLES ELECTED REPRESENTITIVES! THE REPUBLICAN SELL OUT AMERICA FIRST CROWD ARE GOING TO PAY ALSO!

Is their support for Israel more than their duty to the Americans living in their states?


Alexander, Lamar- (R - TN)
Allard, Wayne- (R - CO)
Chambliss, Saxby- (R - GA)
Cochran, Thad- (R - MS)
Coleman, Norm- (R - MN)
Collins, Susan M.- (R - ME)
Cornyn, John- (R - TX)
Craig, Larry E.- (R - ID)
Dole, Elizabeth- (R - NC)
Enzi, Michael B.- (R - WY)
Graham, Lindsey- (R - SC)
Hagel, Chuck- (R - NE)
Inhofe, James M.- (R - OK)
McConnell, Mitch- (R - KY)
Roberts, Pat- (R - KS)
Sessions, Jeff- (R - AL)
Smith, Gordon H.- (R - OR)
Stevens, Ted- (R - AK)
Sununu, John E.- (R - NH)
Warner, John- (R - VA)


SENATORS ARE influenceD BY AIPAC.

http://www.aipac.org/forms/join_aipacClubs.htm



Now here is the real kicker! President Bush is funding Al Qaeda in Lebanon with funds from Iraq! This is Impeachment and Treason! Here is the proof Read it!
http://www.newyorker.com/fact/content/articles/070305fa_fact_hersh


If you think Americas sacrifice is worth it contact your ELECTED OFFICIAL and tell them http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/

Speakers email address: [e-mail]

[e-mail]
Republican Party email

[e-mail]
Democratic Party email

[feelfree1]

The sooner this debacle is over, the sooner the Bush butcher's can be brougt to justice.

1 year is far too long to continue the illegal and disgraceful Bush League war against Iraq.

www.ipetitions.com/petition/OutNow

[feelfree1]

The sooner this debacle is over, the sooner the Bush butcher's can be brougt to justice.

1 year is far too long to continue the illegal and disgraceful Bush League war against Iraq.

www.ipetitions.com/petition/OutNow

[book54552134]

It's time to get out of that nightmarish quagmire of a civil war in Iraq.
Of course to withdraw all US troops would mean a big decrease in the profits of those companies who have engaged in massive war profiteering.
The Bush Administration will not allow that to happen as long as it holds power.