Blunt Warns Democrats Not To Delay Supplemental

House Majority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) warned Democrats on Tuesday not to delay consideration of a war supplemental bill, as Democratic leaders met behind closed doors to work on the measure.

Blunt said Democrats need to finish work on the massive spending bill for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan before the Memorial Day recess, or they could risk forcing the Department of Defense to issue furlough notices to military personnel.

"The money runs out for military pay in late June," said Blunt, "so the [furlough] notices would go out in early June."

Blunt also urged Democrats not to add any domestic spending to the bill, saying "there is no reason to do that on the backs of our troops."

Meanwhile, Democratic leaders from both chambers met behind closed doors on Tuesday afternoon, as they weigh many key decisions on the bill, including whether or not to include a withdrawal date for troops in Iraq and how much, if any, domestic spending should be added to the must-pass bill.

President Bush has threatened to veto the measure if it exceeds the $108 billion he has requested.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) said last week he hoped to have the bill ready in late April or early May.

When asked by reporters what the status of the bill was, House Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey (D-Wis.) kept his cards close to his vest.

"I am not going to spill out our strategy or what components are going to be in the bill until we are ready to announce it," said Obey.

Responding to criticism from some Republicans that Obey was thinking of bypassing the Appropriations Committee and bringing the bill directly to the House floor, Obey said only; "we will do what we have to do to move our responsibilities."