Senate Defies Bush and Passes Iraq War Funding Bill
By Michael Lang on May 23, 2008 in Featured
In a stunning vote that illustrated President Bush’s diminished standing, the on Thursday ignored his veto threat and added tens of billions of dollars for veterans and the unemployed to his Iraq war spending bill.
A majority of Republicans broke ranks with Bush on a veto-proof 75-22 vote while adding more than $10 billion for domestic programs, including heating subsidies for the poor, wildfire fighting, roads and bridge repair and health research.
Oh, if you are a gambler, don’t bet on Bush letting this pass. WHY? ….because it is a good thing!
Democrats crowed about their victory, but the developments meant more confusion about when the measure might pass and what the final version will contain, an event that will probaly be printed on the back page of your newspaper.
Senators voted 70-26 to approve $165 billion to fulfill Bush’s request for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan into next spring, when Bush’s successor will set war policy. Overall, the measure contains $212 billion over the coming two years — $28 billion more than the administration sought — and about $50 billion more through 2017 for veterans education benefits.
Bush has promised to veto the Iraq spending if it exceeds his request. He has enough Republican support in the House to sustain a veto.
But the spectacle of 25 Senate Republicans abandoning the White House and voting to extend jobless benefits by 13 weeks and boost the GI Bill to provide veterans enough money to pay for a four-year education at a public institution made it plain that Bush’s influence is waning.
The Senate action sent the bill back to the House, which last week endorsed the help for veterans and the unemployed, but kept its version clean of most other domestic programs. The House also included a one-half of a percentage point income tax surcharge on wealthier people to pay for the expanded GI bill.
Because of the differences between the two versions, it will take weeks to pass a final compromise, which Bush is expected to veto, and then send him one he can sign.
Time is slipping, though Defense Secretary Robert Gates said that the Pentagon can scrape by until late July by shifting funds from other accounts to finance operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The White House had braced for defeat, but the magnitude of the defeat was startling.
"Our troops deserve better than having essential war time resources held hostage to billions in unrelated spending," White House spokesman Tony Fratto said. "Congress should pass a clean war-funding bill when they return from Memorial Day recess."
- Senate Passes Iraq War Funding Bill With Add-Ons
- Senate bucks Bush, backs GI bill, domestic funds
- Highlights of Senate Iraq war funding bill
23 Comment(s)
By Matt on May 23, 2008 | Reply
It astonishes me that McCain would not prevent these men and women who have sacrificed so much for us from pursuing a college and even high school education. No matter what your political views, I believe every human has a right to get an education. I would like to think that when these men and women come back home they have the support they need. I stumbled across this video that really gives honor and support to our troops. Cornyn needs to take a look as this video!
http://youtube.com/watch?v=nTzATHLOGWY
By Michael Lang on May 24, 2008 | Reply
AMEN Matt….. it is mind-blowing when you really think about it. I have yet to hear their rationale for denying benefits for those that have or are willing to make the “supreme sacrifice” for their country and countrymen.
It sounds as if you are as pissed off and frustrated as I am. Let’s just hope that in the end they get what they so rightly deserve.
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