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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| Democrats sign Iraq funding bill | Democrats sign Iraq funding bill |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| The leaders of the Democrat-controlled US Congress have signed a controversial bill linking war funding to a timetable for withdrawal of US troops from Iraq. | The leaders of the Democrat-controlled US Congress have signed a controversial bill linking war funding to a timetable for withdrawal of US troops from Iraq. |
| President George W Bush has said he will veto the legislation immediately. | President George W Bush has said he will veto the legislation immediately. |
| Signing the bill, Democratic Senate Leader Harry Reid urged Mr Bush to "listen to the American people". | Signing the bill, Democratic Senate Leader Harry Reid urged Mr Bush to "listen to the American people". |
| Congress has agreed to $100bn (£50bn) in further funding for the war on condition US combat troops start withdrawing from Iraq in October. | Congress has agreed to $100bn (£50bn) in further funding for the war on condition US combat troops start withdrawing from Iraq in October. |
| The White House said Mr Bush would veto the legislation shortly, on his return to Washington from Florida. He will then make a televised statement. | The White House said Mr Bush would veto the legislation shortly, on his return to Washington from Florida. He will then make a televised statement. |
| It will be only the second time since taking office that Mr Bush has used the presidential veto. | It will be only the second time since taking office that Mr Bush has used the presidential veto. |
| Speaking in Florida, where he has been visiting the headquarters of US Central Command, Mr Bush warned that withdrawing troops too early could turn Iraq into a "cauldron of chaos". | Speaking in Florida, where he has been visiting the headquarters of US Central Command, Mr Bush warned that withdrawing troops too early could turn Iraq into a "cauldron of chaos". |
| "Success in Iraq is critical to the security of free people everywhere," he said. | "Success in Iraq is critical to the security of free people everywhere," he said. |
| Compromise talks | Compromise talks |
| Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Mr Reid signed the bill at a televised news conference on Capitol Hill. | Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Mr Reid signed the bill at a televised news conference on Capitol Hill. |
| There is still time to sign this bill and change course in Iraq Senator Harry Reid | There is still time to sign this bill and change course in Iraq Senator Harry Reid |
| "With the benchmarks to hold the Iraqi government accountable, this legislation respects the wishes of the American people to end the Iraq war," Ms Pelosi said. | "With the benchmarks to hold the Iraqi government accountable, this legislation respects the wishes of the American people to end the Iraq war," Ms Pelosi said. |
| Pointing to the high death toll for US troops in Iraq last month, Mr Reid said it was time for Iraq to take responsibility for its future. | Pointing to the high death toll for US troops in Iraq last month, Mr Reid said it was time for Iraq to take responsibility for its future. |
| "We renew our call to President Bush. There is still time to listen to the American people. There is still time to sign this bill and change course in Iraq," he said. | "We renew our call to President Bush. There is still time to listen to the American people. There is still time to sign this bill and change course in Iraq," he said. |
| The Senate last week voted 51 to 46 in favour of the legislation, which says the pull-out must start by 1 October and sets a target of completion by 31 March 2008. | |
| Mr Bush is expected to meet congressional leaders on Wednesday to try to reach a compromise on a revised funding bill for US troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. | Mr Bush is expected to meet congressional leaders on Wednesday to try to reach a compromise on a revised funding bill for US troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. |
| Revised legislation would have to be agreed by both the House and the Senate before being presented to him again. | Revised legislation would have to be agreed by both the House and the Senate before being presented to him again. |
| House Minority Leader John Boehner said Republicans would oppose "any bill that includes provisions that undermine our troops and their mission". | House Minority Leader John Boehner said Republicans would oppose "any bill that includes provisions that undermine our troops and their mission". |
| 'Publicity stunt' | 'Publicity stunt' |
| Tuesday is the fourth anniversary of a speech in which Mr Bush declared major combat operations in Iraq over, standing beneath a banner proclaiming "mission accomplished". | Tuesday is the fourth anniversary of a speech in which Mr Bush declared major combat operations in Iraq over, standing beneath a banner proclaiming "mission accomplished". |
| Speaking before the signing of the bill, White House spokeswoman Dana Perino accused the Democrats of cynically delaying the move so it would coincide with the anniversary for political gain. | Speaking before the signing of the bill, White House spokeswoman Dana Perino accused the Democrats of cynically delaying the move so it would coincide with the anniversary for political gain. |
| "It's very disturbing to think that they possibly held up this money for the troops and the troops' families and the resources they need to try some PR stunt on this day," Ms Perino said. | "It's very disturbing to think that they possibly held up this money for the troops and the troops' families and the resources they need to try some PR stunt on this day," Ms Perino said. |
| Mr Bush is committed to his "surge" strategy, under which thousands of extra US troops are being poured into Baghdad. | Mr Bush is committed to his "surge" strategy, under which thousands of extra US troops are being poured into Baghdad. |
| The top US general in Iraq, David Petraeus, has said reducing forces could lead to increased violence. | The top US general in Iraq, David Petraeus, has said reducing forces could lead to increased violence. |