WASHINGTON: The House on Wednesday narrowly approved a $124 billion war spending bill that would require American troops to begin withdrawing from Iraq by Oct. 1, setting the stage for the first veto fight between President George W. Bush and majority Democrats. Only hours after General David Petraeus, the commander in Iraq, told lawmakers that he needed more time to gauge the effectiveness of a troop buildup there, the House voted 218 to 208 pass a measure that sought the removal of most combat forces by next spring. Bush has said unequivocally and repeatedly that he will veto it. "This bill is a statement that Congress will no longer fund the war as it exists today," said Representative Louise Slaughter, the New York Democrat who is chairwoman of the Rules Committee, as she opened the debate. Republicans accused Democrats of establishing a "date certain" for America's defeat in Iraq. "There will be no greater event to empower radical Islam than our retreat and defeat from Iraq," said Representative Jeb Hensarling of Texas, leader of a conservative wing of House Republicans.
WASHINGTON: The House on Wednesday narrowly approved a $124 billion war spending bill that would require American troops to begin withdrawing from Iraq by Oct. 1, setting the stage for the first veto fight between President George W. Bush and majority Democrats.
Only hours after General David Petraeus, the commander in Iraq, told lawmakers that he needed more time to gauge the effectiveness of a troop buildup there, the House voted 218 to 208 pass a measure that sought the removal of most combat forces by next spring. Bush has said unequivocally and repeatedly that he will veto it.
"This bill is a statement that Congress will no longer fund the war as it exists today," said Representative Louise Slaughter, the New York Democrat who is chairwoman of the Rules Committee, as she opened the debate. Republicans accused Democrats of establishing a "date certain" for America's defeat in Iraq.
"There will be no greater event to empower radical Islam than our retreat and defeat from Iraq," said Representative Jeb Hensarling of Texas, leader of a conservative wing of House Republicans.
