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**avaicavum** · 03-28-2007, 06:06 AM

US Senate votes for Iraq deadline
US soldiers in Baghdad
Some Democrats want US troops to be brought home now
The US Senate has endorsed a deadline of March next year for the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq.

The Senate narrowly rejected a Republican amendment that would have removed the troop withdrawal clause from a bill on military funding.

The vote is a boost for the Democrats and a setback for US President George W Bush, who has vowed to veto any bill setting out a timetable for withdrawal.

The House of Representatives also backed withdrawal in a vote last week.

The House bill, which imposes a 31 August 2008 deadline for pulling troops out, was passed narrowly by 218 votes to 212 on Friday.

Both pieces of legislation are tied to more than $120bn (£60bn) in emergency funding for US troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

A final Senate vote on the whole funding bill will take place later this week. It will need the support of a dozen Republicans to pass.

'Must change course'

Two weeks ago, Senate Democrats failed to pass legislation setting a timetable for withdrawal, but two more senators sided with them this time, giving them a victory by 50 votes to 48.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid called the vote a significant step forward and a pointed message to Mr Bush.

"With this vote, the Senate is giving our troops the resources they need in combat - including a strategy in Iraq worthy of their sacrifices," he said.

"The president must change course, and this legislation gives him a chance to do that," he said.

But there were no concessions from the White House.

Mr Bush "is disappointed that the Senate continues down a path with a bill that he will veto and has no chance of becoming law," his deputy press secretary, Dana Perino, said in a statement.

And a presidential hopeful, Republican John McCain, said that setting a schedule for pulling troops out of Iraq would encourage insurgents.

03-28-2007, 06:06 AM	#1
avaicavum Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 468 Senior Member	Well, I'll be... US Senate votes for Iraq deadline US soldiers in Baghdad Some Democrats want US troops to be brought home now The US Senate has endorsed a deadline of March next year for the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq. The Senate narrowly rejected a Republican amendment that would have removed the troop withdrawal clause from a bill on military funding. The vote is a boost for the Democrats and a setback for US President George W Bush, who has vowed to veto any bill setting out a timetable for withdrawal. The House of Representatives also backed withdrawal in a vote last week. The House bill, which imposes a 31 August 2008 deadline for pulling troops out, was passed narrowly by 218 votes to 212 on Friday. Both pieces of legislation are tied to more than $120bn (£60bn) in emergency funding for US troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. A final Senate vote on the whole funding bill will take place later this week. It will need the support of a dozen Republicans to pass. 'Must change course' Two weeks ago, Senate Democrats failed to pass legislation setting a timetable for withdrawal, but two more senators sided with them this time, giving them a victory by 50 votes to 48. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid called the vote a significant step forward and a pointed message to Mr Bush. "With this vote, the Senate is giving our troops the resources they need in combat - including a strategy in Iraq worthy of their sacrifices," he said. "The president must change course, and this legislation gives him a chance to do that," he said. But there were no concessions from the White House. Mr Bush "is disappointed that the Senate continues down a path with a bill that he will veto and has no chance of becoming law," his deputy press secretary, Dana Perino, said in a statement. And a presidential hopeful, Republican John McCain, said that setting a schedule for pulling troops out of Iraq would encourage insurgents.
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