The Senate Sets Targeted Withdrawal Date For Troops In Iraq

The Senate voted Tuesday to set a targeted withdrawal date for U.S. troops in Iraq, ensuring a congressional showdown with the White House over legislation to fund the war.

Senators defeated an amendment to the $122 billion wartime spending bill, 50-48, largely along party lines .

The amendment, offered by Republican Sen. Thad Cochran of Mississippi, would have removed language from the legislation to set a targeted withdrawal date for American soldiers to leave Iraq by March 31, 2008.

The outcome was uncertain to many in the chamber when the chair called roll. And Vice President Dick Cheney was on hand, just in case Republicans needed him to cast a tie-breaking vote. But they did not.