House Democrats round up votes on Iraq

[rodeodance]

Source: ap

House Democrats round up votes on Iraq


By ANNE FLAHERTY, Associated Press Writer
41 minutes ago



WASHINGTON - House Democrats defiantly pushed ahead Wednesday with a $50 billion war spending bill that calls for troops to leave Iraq, despite concerns raised by some members of the party and a veto threat issued by the White House.


The bill would require that the U.S. initiate troop withdrawals within 30 days of its passage and agree to the goal of bringing home most soldiers and Marines by Dec. 15, 2008.

It is largely a symbolic jab at President Bush, who already has begun withdrawing some troops but rejects the notion that Congress set a timetable on the war.

Democratic leaders initially said Wednesday they expected the bill to pass. But by mid-afternoon, the prospects were less clear. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., convened a meeting of the bill's supporters and asked them to help her round up votes.


Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071114/ap_on_go_co/us_iraq;_ylt=AuquXqiOJGAkjwNTJXU6xOWs0NUE

[rodeodance]

1. A Pelosi spokesman said a vote still would take place Wednesday.

A Pelosi spokesman said a vote still would take place Wednesday.

The White House said Bush would reject the bill.

"In addition to infringing upon the president's constitutional authority as commander in chief, the bill would mandate a precipitous withdrawal of troops that could increase the probability that American troops would have to one day return to Iraq to confront an even more dangerous enemy," an administration statement said.

[bluestateguy]

2. Taking bets on when the capitulation will take place

I see three scenarios:

a) Before the vote: Pelosi, et al. will cancel the vote and give Bush the money, no strings attached.

b) The vote will fail due to DLC mee-tooers.

c) The vote will pass, Bush will veto and whine like a little spoiled child, and Pelosi/Reid will draft a new bill that gives him everything he wants, again.

[gasperc]

3. I'm listening to the live debate right now

some good speakers, Rosa DeLauro right now.

David Drier keeps popping in to cry that "the other side" has yet to utter the word victory or democracy. I think he's not getting enough love from his partner.

[rcsl1998]

4. '...already has begun withdrawing some troops"

What utter & complete BS. More M$M bias in what should be a hard news story...

[cal04]

5. House passes war bill tied to withdrawal

Source: Associated Press

House Democrats pushed through a $50 billion bill for the Iraq war Wednesday night that would require President Bush to start bringing troops home in coming weeks with a goal of ending combat by December 2008.

The legislation, passed 218-203, was largely a symbolic jab at Bush, who already has begun reducing force levels but opposes a congressionally mandated timetable on the war. And while the measure was unlikely to pass in the Senate — let alone overcome a presidential veto — Democrats said they wanted voters to know they weren't giving up.

"The fact is, we can no longer sustain the military deployment in Iraq," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. "Staying there in the manner that we are there is no longer an option."



Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21790348/?displaymode=1006

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FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 1108
http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2007/roll1108.xml

[Warren Stupidity]

6. Quick somebody find a suitable cave.

Our proud leaders need to crawl into it.

[whistle]

7. Now that is great politics except it does not show what the timetable is

...how soon do the troops come home? No funding until we know the troops start coming home now!

[Alcibiades]

8. Exactly the sort of maneuver the Dems should have been doing

from day one. Will they cave after the veto? They had better not. No clean bill for Mr. Bush. You want your budget-destroying war and your $50 billion, give us a date certain for the end of occupation.

[PSPS]

9. Better yet, pay for his torture & killing spree by recinding his tax cuts for his "have mores"

Why should we have to shoulder the financial burden for his crime spree?

Of course, this is all academic. The congress will cave because they're anxious to "go home for the holidays." And bush will install more unqualified cronies as recess appointments.

[rodeodance]

10. I am very very glad to see this passed

[rodeodance]

11. thanks for the roll call site. nice

[rodeodance]

12. WHY did 15 Dems vote NO???

[rodeodance]

13. ...the bill explicitly states the money should be used to bring troops home.

The bill's prospects brightened somewhat after three leading anti-war Democrats announced they would support it. California Reps. Lynn Woolsey, Barbara Lee and Maxine Waters said they had agreed to swing behind it because the bill explicitly states the money should be used to bring troops home.

But still uncertain the bill would pass, Pelosi on Wednesday delayed a vote by several hours while she met with supporters and asked them to help her round up votes.

Fifteen Democrats broke ranks and joined 188 Republicans in opposing the measure. Four Republicans joined 214 Democrats in supporting it.