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US Congress to vote on war funds US facing new Iraq funding row
(about 17 hours later)
The US House of Representatives is due to vote on a $50bn (£24bn) war funding bill which could set the stage for a showdown with the White House. The US House of Representatives has voted to approve a $50bn (£24bn) war funding bill which could set the stage for a showdown with the White House.
If enacted, the measure would require President George W Bush to start troop withdrawals within 30 days, with the goal of ending combat in December 2008. If enacted, the measure would require President Bush to start withdrawing troops from Iraq within 30 days, with a goal of ending combat in December 2008.
The bill, which gives only $50bn, not the $200bn requested for a full year's funds, also sets rules against torture.The bill, which gives only $50bn, not the $200bn requested for a full year's funds, also sets rules against torture.
Mr Bush has said he will veto the measure if it passes House and Senate.Mr Bush has said he will veto the measure if it passes House and Senate.
The legislation is thought likely to get through the House but will probably fall short of the 60 votes needed to beat a filibuster in the Senate. Although the legislation has been approved by the House of Representatives, it will probably fall short of the 60 votes needed to beat a filibuster in the Senate.
Previous Democratic-led attempts to attach conditions to war funding have failed because the party could not muster the two-thirds majority needed to overcome a presidential veto.Previous Democratic-led attempts to attach conditions to war funding have failed because the party could not muster the two-thirds majority needed to overcome a presidential veto.
However, even if the latest funding bill is only delayed, it will mean the Pentagon will have to start moving money around to pay for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. However, even if the latest funding bill is only delayed, it will mean the Pentagon will have to start moving money earmarked for other areas to pay for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
New strategy?New strategy?
The Democrats insist that they will not approve more war funding unless Mr Bush agrees to conditions including a timetable for combat troop withdrawal.The Democrats insist that they will not approve more war funding unless Mr Bush agrees to conditions including a timetable for combat troop withdrawal.
If Mr Bush vetoes the measure, "then the president won't get his $50bn", Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid told reporters on Tuesday.If Mr Bush vetoes the measure, "then the president won't get his $50bn", Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid told reporters on Tuesday.
Mr Bush wants nearly $200bn war funds for the 2008 budget yearMr Bush wants nearly $200bn war funds for the 2008 budget year
Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi presented a similarly tough stance last week.Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi presented a similarly tough stance last week.
Observers say the approach marks a new strategy for the Democrats: instead of taking the unpopular step of refusing war funding outright, they make it very difficult for the Pentagon to manage its accounts.Observers say the approach marks a new strategy for the Democrats: instead of taking the unpopular step of refusing war funding outright, they make it very difficult for the Pentagon to manage its accounts.
Mr Bush said on Tuesday that Congress should not go into recess for the Christmas holidays at the end of next month without agreeing funding for US troops.Mr Bush said on Tuesday that Congress should not go into recess for the Christmas holidays at the end of next month without agreeing funding for US troops.
"I understand some of them in Congress didn't agree with my decision, that's fine," he said."I understand some of them in Congress didn't agree with my decision, that's fine," he said.
"But whatever their position on the war is, we should be able to agree that our troops deserve the full support of those of us in Washington DC.""But whatever their position on the war is, we should be able to agree that our troops deserve the full support of those of us in Washington DC."
Mr Bush asked Congress last month for an extra $46bn (£23bn) to fund the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and finance other national security needs.Mr Bush asked Congress last month for an extra $46bn (£23bn) to fund the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and finance other national security needs.
That request brought the overall amount of war funds sought by the president for the 2008 budget year to nearly $200bn.That request brought the overall amount of war funds sought by the president for the 2008 budget year to nearly $200bn.