Expected plan of attack on the $100 billion in 'emergency' Iraq funding

[bigtree]

Decision pending on $100 billion with strings attached — or without

Feb 16, 2007

WASHINGTON - In the congressional maneuvering with President Bush over Iraq, both Bush and his adversaries agree that the vote next month on his request for $100 billion in emergency funding is the crucial moment.

"This vote (on the $100 billion) will be the most important vote in changing the direction of this war; this vote will limit the options of the president and should stop the surge," Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., the Democrats’ leading voice on Iraq policy, said Thursday.

Here’s how the moves seem likely to play out over the next several weeks:

* Led by Murtha, the Democratic-controlled House will vote to approve the $100 billion in funds next month, but will attach conditions to the funding such as limiting the length of deployment of soldiers and Marines, requiring the Army chief of staff and Marine Corps commandant to certify that units are sufficiently trained and equipped before being dispatched to Iraq, and perhaps requiring that Bush close the detainee center at Guantanamo Naval Base in Cuba.

* Next, the $100 billion bill, with the Murtha limits attached, would go to the Senate. But comments of senators in both parties Thursday indicated it is unlikely that a bill with Murtha’s conditions would get the 60 votes needed to ensure passage.

* If the Senate OKs the $100 billion without Murtha’s conditions, House Democrats, most of whom oppose Bush’s policy, would have to choose whether to go along and approve the funds.

more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17167344/


http://journals.democraticunderground.com/bigtree

[rodeodance]

1. if this plays out, we are basically back to square one.

* Led by Murtha, the Democratic-controlled House will vote to approve the $100 billion in funds next month, but will attach conditions to the funding such as limiting the length of deployment of soldiers and Marines, requiring the Army chief of staff and Marine Corps commandant to certify that units are sufficiently trained and equipped before being dispatched to Iraq, and perhaps requiring that Bush close the detainee center at Guantanamo Naval Base in Cuba.

* Next, the $100 billion bill, with the Murtha limits attached, would go to the Senate. But comments of senators in both parties Thursday indicated it is unlikely that a bill with Murtha’s conditions would get the 60 votes needed to ensure passage.

* If the Senate OKs the $100 billion without Murtha’s conditions, House Democrats, most of whom oppose Bush’s policy, would have to choose whether to go along and approve the funds.

[bigtree]

2. I agree. It lacks the most important element

a plan for withdrawal.

If there's no withdrawal agreement attached it's just enabling Bush by giving him more money. He's not about to let a silly thing like a bill Congress passes restrain him from where and how he'll spend the funds. He's already on record for over 800 signing statements telling Congress he intends to do as he damn well pleases.