News / Politics
President Bush Forced to Deal with Senate Approval of Spending Measure
President George W. Bush had already vowed to veto any congressional demands to end the war in Iraq and now he will have the opportunity to put his words into action. The Senate approved $122 billion in spending for the U.S. involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as funding for domestic needs but have issued a timeline for an end to military operations in Iraq.
The Senate’s approval calls for the U.S. to begin withdrawal of troops within 120 days after the passage of the measure.
Last week the House passed their own measure that approved $124 billion in funding but demanded a military pull-out of Iraq.
Bush has been adamant about exercising his veto power over the issue, saying the measures place “too many restrictions on the military.” The President has warned Congress that any measure that includes a timeline will be sent back.
Yesterday Bush criticized the Democratic majority in Congress for holding up funding for troops and said that if “Congress fails to pass a bill to fund our troops on the front lines, the American people will know who to hold responsible.”
Bush won’t have to veto the measure until the Senate and House measures are reconciled. While the Senate wants a troop withdrawal within 120-days the House set a date of September 2008. When that legislation is agreed upon it will appear before Bush to sign.
