Senate Passes Iraq Pullout Bill

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

(CBS/AP)  Party leaders seem determined that the final bill negotiated between the two chambers will demand some sort of timetable for winding down the war — setting them on course for a veto showdown with the president.

White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said the president respects the role of Congress — and Congress should respect his.

"I think the founders of our nation had great foresight in realizing that it would be better to have one commander in chief managing a war, rather than 535 generals on Capitol Hill trying to do the same thing," she said. "They're mandating failure here."

The legislation represents the Senate's first, bold challenge of Mr. Bush's war policies since Democrats took control of Congress in January. With Senate rules allowing the minority party to insist on 60 votes to pass any bill and Democrats holding only a narrow majority, Reid previously had been unable to push through resolutions critical of the war.

This latest proposal was able to get through because Republicans said they didn't want to block an appropriations bill needed for the war.

"I think the sooner we can get this bill ... down to the president for veto, we can get serious about passing a bill that will get money to the troops," said Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.

Democrats acknowledge they do not have enough support in Congress to override Mr. Bush's veto, but say they will continue to ratchet up the pressure until he changes course.

The looming showdown was reminiscent of the GOP-led fight with President Clinton over the 1996 budget, which caused a partial government shutdown that lasted 27 days. Newt Gingrich, R-Ga., the House speaker at the time, eventually relented but claimed victory because the bill represented a substantial savings over the previous year's spending.

Mr. Bush said the money is needed by mid-April or else the troops will begin to run out of money, but some Democrats say the real deadline is probably closer to June.

Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the House Defense Appropriations Committee Thursday that a delay in funding would have a chain reaction that could keep units in Iraq longer than planned.

If the bill is not passed by May 15, he said the Army will have to cut back on reserve training and equipment repairs, and possibly delay the formation of other Army units needed to relieve those deployed.

Shortly before the final vote, the Senate agreed 98-0 to add $1.5 billion for mine-resistant vehicles for Marines, and 93-0 to aid a program to track down convicted sex offenders.

Members also agreed 96-1 to prohibit funds in the bill to be used for spinach farmers. The vote was orchestrated by Republicans to target some of the extra spending added to the bill by Democrats; while the Senate bill didn't include any funding for spinach growers, the House measure contained $25 million.

[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.