Reid: Congress will endorse Iraq pullout

[maddezmom]

Source: AP

Reid: Congress will endorse Iraq pullout By DAVID ESPO, AP Special Correspondent
3 minutes ago



WASHINGTON - Defying a fresh veto threat, the Democratic-controlled Congress will pass legislation within days requiring the start of a troop withdrawal from Iraq by Oct. 1, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (news, bio, voting record) said Monday.

The legislation also sets a goal of a complete pullout by April 1, 2008, he said.

In remarks prepared for delivery, Reid said that under the legislation the troops that remain after next April 1 could only train Iraqi security units, protect U.S forces and conduct "targeted counter-terror operations."

Reid spoke a few hours after Bush said he will reject any legislation along the lines of what Democrats will pass. "I will strongly reject an artificial timetable (for) withdrawal and/or Washington politicians trying to tell those who wear the uniform how to do their job," the president said.

~snip~

Negotiators for the House and Senate arranged a late-afternoon meeting to ratify the timetable that Reid laid out. The demand for a change in course will be attached to a funding bill that is needed to pay for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.



Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070423/ap_on_go_co/us_iraq_12

---

Watch Sen. Reid now on CSPAN2
http://www.c-span.org/watch/cs_cspan2_wm.asp?Cat=TV&Code=CS2

[babylonsister]

1. I'm hoping this is not just an 'advisory' timetable. Stand your ground, Dems! nt

[Norquist Nemesis]

2. Now I'm completely confused

(as opposed to just plain confused lol!)

What legislation? Is this the same bill that Bush is promising a veto for but that hasn't completed the conference step, or a different bill?

So confused...

[maddezmom]

3. I think it's new legislation

:shrug: I'm as confused as you are, that's why I posted. I'm sure a knowledgeable DU'er will set me straight. :)

[Norquist Nemesis]

7. Must be (dunno) because Bush is still vowing veto even without

timetables (see below). So, in order to get funding, a "new bill" has to be drawn up and put forth. It's starting to make a little bit of sense.

So, in the political sense it goes 1) Bush vetoes and blames Democrats 2) Bill gets passed with bi-partisan veto-proof that includes timetable, benchmarks, and less or no "pork". 3) Meanwhile, Bush bashes the Democrat Leadership for the delays in bringing the troops home and appears daily on the TV to announce the count in number of days since he first asked for the funding.

[Echotrail]

4. Yes, just read that the conf cmmttee will take out the timetable

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/iraq-bill-conferees-take-out-fixed-withdrawal-timetable-2007-04-23.html

[babylonsister]

5. Dammit!

:grr: :nuke: So what's the big news? None imo. Caving.

[Norquist Nemesis]

9. The big news would be that Bush STILL vetoes it

Everything he asked for. Everything. And he still vetoes it.

Looks like political theatre to drag this out till around January 2009?

[babylonsister]

11. I'm angry obviously; political theater while people die?

This is not a play!

He's going to veto, so why not stick with the timetables? I guess I just don't understand, so I'll keep reading and try to.

[Norquist Nemesis]

16. Agreed! Stick with the timetables. Bush/Rove are daring Democrats

to stop the funding (see my speculation below). The rumbling of 'courage of their convictions' is starting to grow. Like you, I want to see all of this stopped...but I hope they don't fall into the trap of defunding "for the courage of their convictions". Let someone like Hagel or Gordon Smith call for the defunding first.

[guruoo]

19. That's exactly what they are trying to do

"Let someone like Hagel or Gordon Smith call for the defunding first."

[guruoo]

18. Because Bush will now be viewed as

vetoing a compromise, which will add even more fuel to the impeachment fire.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

6. And without the timetable, * is expected to veto anyway?

What's left in the bill that offends his highness?

[Echotrail]

8. More money for the VA? Letting soldiers rest between

forced deployments?

He'll say its the domestic spending.

[MUAD_DIB]

13. Each tile Lil boots threatens to use the veto Reid/Pelosi should send it back

with the withdrawal of troops being a little sooner each time.*

"Okay. You didn't like withdrawal of troops by April 1, 08?? How about May 15th? No

Okay then May 1st it is."


I hope they royally screw the Murderer-N-Thief.


*Regardless of timetables the Dems should shut off all Blackwater mercs immediately.

It's time to get rid of that private army that * has over there.

[Norquist Nemesis]

14. I'm beginning to think that Bushetals via Rove are trying to set a trap

for Dems. I'm hearing "courage of their convictions" to defund/stop the funds/halt funding. In essence, they want them to stop the funding, not because it would have anything to do with Iraq but because they could (and would) bash every Democrat with it from here to eternity. They're daring them to do it purely for partisan politics.

[MGKrebs]

15. Apparently they are planning to insist the Bush* notify Congress when

he sends troops that aren't fully trained, and uses benchmarks for Iraqi government progress, which is actually kind of shrewd, because it's a lot like a timetable, but uses the very measuring standard that the administration has been touting themselves.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

17. That seems a likely explanation

* wouldn't want to have to tell us that he's sending green troops into the war zone. He just wants his money for his war.

I hope Democratic leadership can resist this nonsense. So far it appears Bush is winning.

[ejbr]

10. I'm no expert,

but I get the impression that once a bill is approved by either house and they have the ability to negotiate the final bill for presentation that it can be modified by the committees (Reid, Pelosi, et.al) to the liking of both houses even AFTER a veto because they already have the green light for similar language under the first bill. In essence, if a veto is a "fuck you" by Bush, the submission of this modified bill is "no fuck YOU" by Congress.

[rodeodance]

12. JUST DO IT HARRY ---NOW.

[bvar22]

20. HUGE Loophole!

"Reid said that under the legislation the troops that remain after next April 1 could only train Iraqi security units, protect U.S forces and conduct "targeted counter-terror operations."


What am I missing?
Doesn't this exception cover everything we are NOW doing in Iraq?:shrug:

Where is the hammer?
This piece of legislation reads like a soft kiss on Bush"s ass with a gentle thankyou note attached.

[Robbien]

21. You are right. It basically says we are there forever

and not only that, the dumb thing is non-binding

Under the non-binding timeline, all combat troops would be withdrawn by April 1, 2008.

After that date, U.S. forces would have a redefined and restricted mission of protecting U.S. personnel and facilities, engaging in counterterrorism activities against al-Qaida and other similar organizations and training and equipping Iraqi forces.

http://www.freenewmexican.com/news/60640.html

All this talk of vetos and showdowns is all just for show. This bill gives Bush the money to keep killing Muslims with no real change whatsoever.

[and-justice-for-all]

22. Fuck you Shrub...

..Madame Speaker has stated "The President is not King." and I concur that statement as does the MAJORITY of this country.

WE DO NOT WANT YOUR WARS!

[youngdem]

23. Reid: Congress will endorse Iraq pullout

Source: www.msnbc.com

WASHINGTON - Defying a fresh veto threat, the Democratic-controlled Congress will pass legislation within days requiring the start of a troop withdrawal from Iraq by Oct. 1, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Monday.

The legislation also sets a goal of a complete pullout by April 1, 2008, he said.

In remarks prepared for delivery, Reid said that under the legislation the troops that remain after next April 1 could only train Iraqi security units, protect U.S forces and conduct "targeted counter-terror operations."

Reid spoke a few hours after Bush said he will reject any legislation along the lines of what Democrats will pass. "I will strongly reject an artificial timetable (for) withdrawal and/or Washington politicians trying to tell those who wear the uniform how to do their job," the president said.

Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18269912/

---

GREAT NEWS, but what is with the April Fool's Day withdrawal date?

[aquart]

24. But still not saying a word about Blackwater mercenaries?

Will we cut off their funds, too?

[sasha031]

25. We should start a mass mail about that now

No suiciding mercenaries.