Pelosi To Bush: "Take A Deep Breath" Before Vetoing Iraq Bill

Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) had a lot to say this morning about President Bush's repeated threats to veto the Iraq supplemental funding bill if it includes a timetable for withdrawing U.S. troops, according to Politico's Josephine Hearn. Here are some excerpts:

"On this very important matter, I would extend a hand of friendship to the president, just say to him, 'Calm down with the threats, there's a new Congress in town. We respect your constitutional role. We want you to respect ours.' This war must end. The American people have lost faith in the president's conduct of the war. Let's see how we can work together."

"I just wish the president would take a deep breath, recognize again that we each have our constitutional role and we should respect that in terms of each other."

What if the U.S. military starts running out of money because the Iraq supplemental is bogged by political infighting?

"The fact is the president of United States as the Commander-In-Chief has weakened our military. Why would he be saying to us we're running out of money when it's only a few weeks. Leadership would have required for him to have anticipated these needs."

"We're the Congress. Let's work together for the American people. Take a deep breath, Mr. President."

Did the Senate vote on Tuesday strengthen your hand in a showdown with Bush?

"The fact that the Senate has now rejected any removal of a timetable from the [Iraq] bill of course strengthens the hand for all who want to have this war come to an end, bring our troops home safely and soon and hold the Iraqi government accountable."

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) also commented on the Democratic leadership's decision not to allow Republicans the chance to offer amendments on the Iraq funding bill:

"We pledge to be fair but not stupid...Until the Republicans come to grips with doing real things with their opportunities, the American people are going to continue to be disappointed by their solely playing politics."