[Peace-discuss] Bush will get as much $$ as he wants for Iraq

[Michael Shapiro]

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/08/washington/08spend.html


WASHINGTON, Dec. 7 — *Congressional leaders are * assembling a $500 billion
package to try to resolve an impasse by *providing President Bush with
unfettered money for the Iraq war* in exchange for new spending on popular
domestic programs.

If acceptable to lawmakers and the White House, the package to be considered
in the House as early as Tuesday would avert the threat of a shutdown of
federal agencies and end a dispute that has lasted months and pitted
Congressional Democrats against Mr. Bush and his Republican allies.

Senior lawmakers and Congressional aides said the broad outlines of the
proposal called for the House to consider $30 billion for military
operations in Afghanistan, as well as money for military bases and support
programs for military families to quiet fears of Pentagon layoffs because of
a lack of money.

The Senate would then add up to $40 billion for Iraq combat operations, with
the expectation the final war spending total would produce enough Republican
support to offset defections by House Democrats.

After the measure returns to the House for a final vote, Democrats opposed
to the war are likely to vote against it but may not be able to stop it. *The
decision to free some money for the war without a deadline or goal for
withdrawal would represent a major concession by Democrats.* They had
earlier said they would not send Mr. Bush any more war money this year
unless he accepted a change in Iraq policy.

But Democratic leaders now say they have concluded that a logjam of 11
appropriations bills cannot be broken without acceding to at least some of
the president's demand for more war money.

The one power Congress has to impede Bush/Cheney (appropriations) they claim
is the reason that they won't use it!
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