Thwarted in efforts to bring troops home from Iraq, Senate Democrats on Monday helped pass a defense policy bill authorizing another $150 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The 92-3 vote comes as the House planned to approve separate legislation Tuesday that requires President Bush to give Congress a plan for eventual troop withdrawals.
The developments underscored the difficulty facing Democrats in the Iraq debate: They lack the votes to pass legislation ordering troops home and are divided on whether to cut money for combat, despite a mandate by supporters to end the war.
Hoping the political landscape changes in coming months, Democratic leaders say they will renew their fight when Congress considers the money Bush wants in war funding. Read more...
It is inconceivable that the Senate would pass this bill knowing how our tax dollars are being wasted, mis-managed and given to companies like Blackwater. In what might come as a shock to many, Blackwater pays it's managers more than twice as much as General David Petraeus makes for commanding some 160,000 troops. This go-along to get-along strategy by the Democrats will surely improve the poll numbers for Congress, no?
UPDATE: Meanwhile, Rep. David Obey has thrown down the gauntlet and said he is willing to fight Bush on funding.
