Democrats say the political showdown over Iraq is moving to September now that they have given in to President Bush’s demand for a war-spending bill without a timetable for withdrawal.
             
“By that time, we will know if the surge is working,” Rep. John Murtha (D-Pa.) said. “I see the administration finally changing and recognizing that the war cannot be won militarily.”
             
Congress Thursday night sent Bush an Iraq bill that essentially gives him everything he asked for, but only through the end of September. The bill requires that the Iraq withdrawal question be addressed again at that time before the administration gets any more money for the war.

Bush, whose staff helped to negotiate the bill, indicated his support in a White House news conference. He said he was pleased the bill includes neither readiness requirements nor timelines for withdrawal.

“By voting for this bill members of both parties can show our troops and the Iraqis and the enemy that our country will support our servicemen and women in harm's way,” Bush said.

It requires a vote on a bill by Rep. James McGovern (D-Mass.) on a hard timetable for troop withdrawal and another measure de-authorizing the use of force in Iraq.

Murtha said he plans a September appropriations debate  on how the war will continue in a supplemental spending bill. That will be combined with the regular fiscal year 2008 defense appropriations bill to be debated in July, Murtha said.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said Democrats will go back to pressing their demands for a change in course in the defense authorization bill, which they will take up shortly after the Memorial Day break.

             
The Iraq bill passed the Senate at about 8:30 p.m.  Thursday night on a 80-14 vote, sending the bill to Bush, who is expected to sign it. Reid said the lack of a timetable was not a defeat for Democrats, because they will keep ratcheting up the pressure on the president.
             
“When it comes to changing course in Iraq, Senate  Democrats will never give in, never give in — never, never, never,” Reid said.
             
Among Democratic presidential hopefuls, Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.) voted yes. Sens. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.), Barak Obama (D-Ill.) and Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) voted no.
             
The bill passed the House easily Thursday night, but with  Republican votes. Nearly all Republicans voted for the bill. Most Democrats voted against it. The Democrats who voted for it were generally from the party’s conservative wing.
             
It presented the odd scene of Democratic leaders arguing  against and voting against a bill they negotiated and brought to the floor.

“I hate this agreement,” House Appropriations Chairman David Obey (D-Wis.) said. “I’m going to vote against it, even though I negotiated it.”

On the floor, Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-Calif.) offered to serve as the bill's sponsor.

Murtha voted for the bill, but said Democrats had been  “blackmailed” into allowing the “clean” supplemental by a president who refused to negotiate on timelines.
             
“At some point, it had to happen,” Rep. Jack Murtha (D-Pa.) said. “I told the [National Security Council] when I met with them ‘You blackmailed Congress to get this money passed.’”
             
The problem, Murtha said, was that the Department of Defense will run out of money next week. A Congressional Research Service report had said defense spending could last until July, but Murtha said the measures that would have to be used would be “disastrous” for the Pentagon.
             
Republicans praised the bill and accused Democrats voting against it of “not supporting the troops” but agreeing to unrelated “pork” spending in a second bill.
             
Early Thursday afternoon, the House voted 218-201 in favor of a complex “rule” setting unusual terms of debate on Iraq. It allows for one vote on what is essentially Bush’s Iraq request with some benchmark language, and a second vote on domestic programs.
             
The second measure includes a provision raising the minimum wage to $7.25 an hour, and $17 billion for children's health insurance, defense healthcare, base closure, Gulf Coast hurricane relief and other programs.
             
Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), a leader of the Out of Iraq caucus and liberal Rep. Pete Stark (D-Calif.) were among seven Democrats voting against the rule. Two other key Out of Iraq leaders, Reps. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) and Lynn Woolsey (D-Calif.) voted for the rule.
             
The rules debate sparked name-calling on the floor when Republicans criticized Democrats’ handling of the bill and  their Iraq policy “Do you know who played into the hands of al Qaeda?” an agitated Obey asked. “A fella named by the name of Bush. He lives in a big White House. He walked us into a war, and he didn’t have a clue.”