Dems set war bill without Iraq timeline By DAVID ESPO, AP Special Correspondent
40 minutes ago
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 later this year to challenge Bush's handling of the unpopular conflict. [Oooooh, scary prospect for Bush. Maybe they could all roll their eyes in unison whenever he speaks!]
Democratic officials stressed the legislation was subject to change. They spoke on condition of anonymity, saying they were not authorized to discuss provisions before a planned presentation to members of the party's rank and file later in the day.
Democrats in Congress have insisted for months they would not give Bush a blank check for his war policies, [Translation: The blank cheque's in the mail.] and officials said the legislation is expected to include political and military goals for the Iraqi government to meet toward establishment of a more democratic society.
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But not without a fight, eh? Did you catch the word "grudging" in there? The Democrats made a "grudging" concession. Oooooh, how that must have hurt the "President."
