Congress could sever Iraq funding, Salazar says

[ProSense]

Congress could sever Iraq funding, Salazar says

By Anne C. Mulkern
Denver Post Staff Writer
Article Launched: 09/17/2007 01:39:34 PM MDT

Sen. Ken Salazar. (AP / Ed Andrieski)
Related Articles

Washington — Congress should look at cutting off funding for the Iraq war if Senate efforts to change the role of U.S. troops in the battlefield fail, Sen. Ken Salazar said today.

Salazar, a Colorado Democrat, previously has not supported Congress using its ability to stop war payments in order to force President Bush to change direction.

While in Iraq over the weekend, Salazar said, some servicemen and women told him that they wanted Congress to cut off funding.

Salazar said he would only support it, however, under certain conditions.

"If we cannot work with the White House and with our Republican colleagues to develop legislation that will have our effort in Iraq move forward in a new defined mission, then I thinkwe need to look at other possibilities," Salazar said in a conference call with reporters.

The Senate this week will consider a defense-authorization bill, and lawmakers will use the opportunity to try to add amendments that change Iraq-war policy. Salazar has a bill that would change the main purpose of troops from fighting to training and other jobs.

more

[Greeby]

1. No more "coulds"

Do or do not, there is no "could"