Washington – A historic veto showdown assured, Democratic leaders agreed Monday on legislation that requires the first U.S. combat troops to be withdrawn from Iraq by Oct. 1 with a goal of a complete pullout six months later.
“No more will Congress turn a blind eye to the Bush administration’s incompetence and dishonesty,” Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said in a speech in which he accused the president of living in a state of denial about events in Iraq.
Bush, confident of enough votes to sustain his veto, was unambiguous in his response. “I will strongly reject an artificial timetable (for) withdrawal and/or Washington politicians trying to tell those who wear the uniform how to do their job,” he told reporters in the Oval Office as he met with his top Iraq commander, Gen. David Petraeus.
Taken together, the day’s events marked the quickening of a confrontation that has been building since Democrats took control of Congress in January and promised to change Iraq war policy.
Congressional negotiators for the House and Senate met in the late afternoon and ratified the details of the legislation. Republicans voiced opposition but made no attempt to delay or even seek changes.
“We all know this bill is going nowhere fast,” said Rep. Jerry Lewis, R-Calif., referring to the veto threat.
The bill includes more than $90 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the withdrawal timetable that Bush finds objectionable, and billions of dollars in domestic spending that he also has threatened to veto.
Democrats jettisoned some of the additional domestic spending that Bush has held up to ridicule, including funds for spinach growers and peanut farmers. But Reid, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and others decided to include money to help farmers hit by natural disasters as well as the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Overall, the bill totals $124.2 billion.
Democratic aides said Pelosi and Reid hope to clear the measure through both houses by Friday and send it to Bush by early next week for his expected veto. The Democratic leaders have not said whether they will attempt to override the veto in what would be a largely symbolic act given the number of Republicans who have said they will back the president.
There is far less certainty about the next steps. Reid and other Democrats have said repeatedly that they will not leave the troops without the funds they need, but they have not said whether they will first force Bush to veto at least one more bill before sending him legislation he finds acceptable.
Reid likened the president to Lyndon Johnson, saying the former president ordered troop escalations in Vietnam in an attempt “to save his political legacy,” only to watch U.S. casualties climb steadily.
Dana Perino, the president’s spokeswoman, said it was Reid who was ignoring reality, not the president.
She said Reid is in denial about the vicious nature of the enemy and about the U.S.-led plan to provide more security in Iraq.
“He’s also in denial that a surrender date – he thinks it is a good idea. It is not a good idea. It is defeat. It is a death sentence for the millions of Iraqis who voted for a constitution, who voted for a government, who voted for a free and democratic society,” she said.
As outlined by Democratic officials, the emerging legislation would require the withdrawal of U.S. forces to begin by Oct. 1, even earlier if Bush cannot certify that the Iraqi government is making progress in disarming militias, reducing sectarian violence and forging political compromises.
Another provision in the bill would withhold about $850 million in foreign-aid funds from the Iraqis if the government does not meet those standards.
Also, the Pentagon would be required to adhere to certain standards for the training and equipping of units sent to Iraq, and for their rest at home between deployments. Bush could waive the guidelines if necessary. Democrats assume he would but want him on record as doing so.
Under the nonbinding timeline, all combat troops would be withdrawn by April 1, 2008.
What the measure would do
House and Senate Democrats have tentatively agreed to 2007 war spending legislation that:
Funds more than $90 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Begins withdrawal of troops from Iraq on Oct. 1, with the goal of ending combat by April 1, 2008.
Requires troop withdrawal to begin July 1 if President Bush cannot certify that the Iraqi government is making progress in disarming militias, reducing sectarian violence and forging political agreements.
Restricts foreign-aid spending in Iraq if benchmarks are not met.
Allows Bush to keep troops in Iraq after the withdrawal date to conduct counterterrorism missions, protect U.S. infrastructure and personnel and train Iraqi security forces.
Bars deployment of troops not deemed “fully mission capable” and limits combat tours to one year for Army units and seven months for Marines. Allows president to waive these restrictions.
Adds more than $20 billion not requested by Bush for medical care for troops and veterans, aid to the victims of Hurricane Katrina, farm disaster relief and other programs.
Raises the minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25 an hour. Includes $4.8 billion in tax cuts for small businesses over 10 years.
