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The White House said Wednesday that President Bush would veto the latest effort of congressional Democrats to force the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq. The House of Representatives is expected to vote Wednesday night on a $50 billion spending measure to pay for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan that also includes a goal for a specific date to withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq. “Once again, the Democratic leadership is starting this debate with a flawed strategy, including a withdrawal date for Iraq, despite the gains our military has made over the past year, despite having dozens of similar votes in the past that have failed, and despite their pledge to support the troops,” White House spokeswoman Dana Perino told reporters. “And once again, they plan to send the president a bill that they know he will veto. This is for political posturing and to appease radical groups.” Earlier this year, Bush vetoed a $95 billion measure that included similar provisions. Under severe criticism from their base, Democrats were forced to strip those requirements from the legislation, which the president then signed into law. But the spending bill that the House is expected to consider late Wednesday includes significant gains for liberal Democrats who want to force Bush’s hand to change his policy in Iraq. The spending bill does not preclude the president from spending money to extend the war, but it does make it clear that the money is to be used to “plan and execute a safe and orderly redeployment of [troops] from Iraq.” It allows Bush to use troops after Dec. 15, 2008, to protect the U.S. embassy and bases in Iraq, train the Iraqi Security Forces and engage in counterterrorism operations. The bill makes it clear that Congress wants to end the war as “safely and quickly as possible.” It also prohibits the U.S. government from subjecting people in its custody to torture or treatment not authorized by the U.S. Army Field Manual. “We all view this as a significant statement, a turning point,” Rep. James McGovern (D-Mass.) said. “This is the beginning of the end of the war in Iraq.” |
