18 December 2007
A domestic spending bill of $515.7 billion was approved by the House, billions less than the spending levels that the Democrats wanted. Every agency but the Defense Dept. was funded for 2008. They then, by a tight vote, voted to approve an amendment that gives $31 billion for Afghanistan but none for Iraq. The Democrats will once again tie funding for the Iraq war to withdrawal of U.S. combat troops. It’s expected that Republicans will vote to increase war funding to $70 billion and make it available for Iraq too. Without increased war funds. the president will veto the whole bill.
The Democrats put in funding for border security, veteran’s care and nutrition calling the funding as “emergencies”. The spending package exceeds the president’s spending limit by $11 billion. Conservatives criticized the bill and Conservative Republicans in the Senate and House implored Bush to veto the final measure. Trying to meet White House demands, Democratic leaders made changes that angered everyone. If Senate Republicans add billions for the war in Iraq and not make changes in war policy, the measure will lose the support of many Democrats who had vowed not to approve more war funding unless the money helps withdraw U.S. troops and they will not vote for the bill. If things don’t go his way, Bush is waiting in the wings, veto pen in hand.
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