This is a short diary. The New York Times is reporting (via the AP) that Democratic lawmakers are sending Bush a war funding bill with no timetables.
In grudging concessions to President Bush, Democrats intend to draft an Iraq war-funding bill without a timeline for the withdrawal of U.S. troops and shorn of billions of dollars in spending on domestic programs, officials said Monday.
Here's some more:
In grudging concessions to President Bush, Democrats intend to draft an Iraq war-funding bill without a timeline for the withdrawal of U.S. troops and shorn of billions of dollars in spending on domestic programs, officials said Monday.
The legislation would include the first federal minimum wage increase in more than a decade, a top priority for the Democrats who took control of Congress in January, the officials added.
While details remain subject to change, the measure is designed to close the books by Friday on a bruising veto fight between Bush and the Democratic-controlled Congress over the war. It would provide funds for military operations in Iraq through Sept. 30, the end of the fiscal year.
Democrats in both houses are expected to seek other opportunities to challenge Bush's handling of the unpopular conflict later this year.
What is going on? I am not a master strategist, but by my reading of this, the Democrats are giving Bush carte blanche, and not doing anything to stop the war. How did this happen?
Anyway, I'm going to call my Senators and Congressman about this. In case you'd like to speak to your legislative representatives, the toll-free Capital Switchoard number is 800-828-0498.
UPDATE:Via TPMCafe: the House Democratic Leadership is not confirming the story.