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As House leaders pulled the emergency supplemental spending bill from Thursday’s calendar, they face new problems from the party’s left wing in even getting the bill to the floor. A leader of the Out-of-Iraq Caucus, upset that the spending bill continues the war well into 2009, said this morning that liberal members may join conservative Democrats in voting against the procedural motion needed to bring the bill to the floor. Leaders of the conservative Blue Dog Democrats have said they may have enough votes to block the bill from coming up. They are angered that the bill would create a new educational benefit for veterans, called the GI Bill of Rights, without offsetting the cost with tax hikes or spending cuts. If Republicans hold together, 15 Democratic “no” votes would block consideration. Out-of-Iraq Caucus leader Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) said her caucus could add to the total. “We know there are some people who are considering voting against it,” Waters told reporters. “If they do, we may join them.” Waters also said the Out-of-Iraq Caucus has not committed to supporting the “war policy” portion of the supplemental that makes withdrawal of combat troops from Iraq by December 2009 a goal, and orders that Iraq repay half the reconstruction funds included in the bill. In meetings among liberal Democrats there have been complaints this week that the “goal language” is too weak, and that the U.S. should not make Iraq pay for its reconstruction after bombing the country. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) indicated Wednesday night that the bill could be held until next week because of what she says are Republican delaying tactics. Aides indicated that negotiations with Blue Dogs on the GI Bill were also a consideration. When Thursday’s schedule was made public, the supplemental spending bill was not on the calendar. |
