(Video) GOP opposes Iraq bill that includes Bush's own benchmarks

Just moments ago, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) took to the House floor and defended a proposed Iraq spending bill that would establish benchmarks for the President's current policy in Iraq.

If you recall, Bush said all along that our goal is to solve the political tensions, root out Al Qaeda and increase stability in the region.  Those are his goals.  This bill simply puts pressure on the Iraqi government to achieve those exact same benchmarks.  As Nancy Pelosi pointed out, how could Repubicans not support that?

PELOSI: The President's benchmarks -- these are the President's own benchmarks for measuring progress in Iraq -- will be the centerpiece of that evaluation.  We would think that the President would embrace this legislation.  It has his benchmarks.  It asks for a progress report -- Perhaps he thinks there will be no progress so he is afraid of that report.  And then a vote in the House to continue the war.  The President's own benchmarks for measuring progress in Iraq will be the centerpiece.

To top it all off, Pelosi drew a great comparison between this Iraq bill and No Child Left Behind:

PELOSI: It's interesting to me that in the President's No Child Left Behind legislation, he establishes standards for America's school children.  And if those children to not meet those standards, there are serious consequences for them, for their families, for their schools and for their school districts.  And yet, while holding America's school children accountable with consequences, the President refuses to hold the Iraqi government responsible with consequences while our young people in Iraq are dying.

Moments later, the bill passed 221 to 205.  It is uncertain whether the Senate will even consider the bill.  Let's hope they do.

Comments

[granny]

The difference between "No Child Left Behind" benchmarks and War Funding benchmarks is that in "No Child..." Bush is the "punisher".

Let others judge whether HE (his programs) "meet standards"; give others permission to impose "serious consequences" by deciding he has failed ? Cannot be allowed. HE MUST be 'the decider".

Did the same Demz that voted against benchmarks vote against the deadline? If not, have to wonder threats were available.

[George]

did i missing something. CNN says a vote in the House passed the bill tonite?

[Chief Editor: Todd]

It did pass, George. Right before I was about to post this, I checked the wires and it said the bill failed....but now i found that was a separate Iraq bill.

I changed the post. thanks for the heads-up