News / Politics
Democrats and President Bush Still at Odds Over War Spending Bill Despite Concessions
Democratic congressional leaders met with President Bush’s top aides on Friday to introduce a new plan for a war spending bill yet left empty handed. Democrats had revised a previous measure that had set firm dates for removing US forces from Iraq. In their new bill Democrats wouldn’t shy away from a timetable yet they provided Bush with the authority to waive any such dates. A significant turn from a May 1 bill that had demanded troops begin being returned to the US in October.
In rejecting the deal White House chief of staff Joshua Bolten said, “We consider that to be not a significant distinction, whether waivable or not, timelines send the wrong signal.”
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev. voiced his frustration with constructing a bill that continues to show the weaknesses of the Democratic controlled Congress saying “To say I was disappointed in the meeting is an understatement.”
Bush has said that he is opened to setting benchmarks for the Iraqi government but he hasn’t shown any willingness to instill consequences if those goals aren’t met. Bush has sought approval for nearly $90 billion to continue funding the US efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan through September.
