Details on the new Iraq bill

Ever since President Bush's veto last week, we have been waiting to hear what Democrats and Republicans would come up with as a second bill.  As of now, the proposal isn't perfect, but it definitely closes the door on the President's open-ended war policy.

The new bill would fund half of what Bush is asking for, thus forcing the President to come back to Congress in July for yet another war funding bill.  No more saying, "Here is your money for the year.  We will watch from the sidelines."  This bill, which is expected to have bipartisan support, will command Bush to ask Congress for funding every two months.

The Wall Street Journal has the details:

House Democrats are drafting a new Iraq war spendingbill that fences off more than half the military funds until a secondvote by Congress in July, when lawmakers will assess progress made bythe Baghdad government.

The draft bill would provide about $43 billion, or 45%of the $95.5 billion, in defense spending up front to avoid anydisruption of operations prior to the second vote. Military personneland operations accounts would get about 50% of the administration'srequest, and increased funds are provided for defense health programsand production of high-priority armored vehicles.

The remaining 55%, or about $53 billion, would bewithheld pending the second vote. That is expected to come in late Julyfollowing on two reports required from the administration on progressmade toward stated goals in Iraq and the performance of the Baghdadgovernment.

It is expected to get around 67 Senate votes, just enough to override another Bush veto.   It should be even easier to pass in the House.

So even if it passes easily, will Bush veto it?  If he is thinking only about his legacy, then he just might take out his pen and do it.  He can say 10 years from now that the surge was working, and that if Congress had not tied his hands then the war would have been a success.

Remember, Bush needs a scapegoat, or some kind of reason to say that he was not responsible for losing the war.  This is his chance.

Comments

[Tony]

The democrats need to "counter" any bull the president spews about the new bill. For instance, after the president tells the country the dems are going to hurt the troops, they need to speak out and explain to the country the new bill does nothing of the sort. And explain the bill.

[granny]

Just say no.
No timeline, no money.