The Congress passed a war-funding bill with a timeline for troop withdrawal from Iraq and substantially less funds to conduct the war. The bill was passed with a very close 218-203 vote. The bill states that the primary purpose of the funding is "to transition the mission of United States Armed Forces in Iraq and undertake their redeployment." It demands Bush to begin withdrawing the troops within 30 days of passage. Goal: withdraw the troops by December 15, 2008.
This bill requests $50 billion. Compared to hundred billions of dollars requested to help fund the war, it's not that much.
In the past, President Bush threatened to veto this type of bills. If the President does veto it, the Congress probably would not be able to override it, looking at the close 218-203 vote.
What do you guys think about this bill? Do you guys think it's too soon to withdraw the troops from Iraq? Do you guys think that President Bush will veto this bill?
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7 comments:
I don't know about the timing of the bill. I want the troops out of Iraq as soon as possible, but I don't want to leave with Iraq in a state of chaos and terror. I think that they should stay until peace and order is restored, and then start leaving.
I'm pretty sure that Bush will veto this bill. He will use the reason that the war on terror is not over and that leaving now would waste all that effort that has been put into the war. Although Bush will probably get his way, I think he has to understand that the people want our troops to come home from war.
"Undertake their redeployment"? Does that mean they'll go home, or be sent to another country in the Middle Est?
I think that we need to get out of Iraq as soon as possible without causing a civil war. However, even though this bill would force us to get out of Iraq without ensuring that a different war does not ensue, this bill or some bill that decreases the amount of money we are putting into the war needs to be passed. According to a CNN article, the administration will have to start taking money from elsewhere in the Pentagon's budget in order to continue paying for the war. So, if Bush vetoes this bill like he did a similar bill in May, he is just doing the nation a disservice and must have an alternative plan in order to lessen our spending on the war.
I agree with Benji - it seems as though the troops will not come home as a result of this bill, but rather sent to a different area. I would guess that "redeployment" would simply make people in America more angry that our troops are still overseas.
Also, I do not understand why "this bill requests $50 billion." Does that mean there would be a maximum of $50 billion Bush has to spend on the war, or what. Can anybody help me with that?
Although it is likely that this bill will not be able to triumph, i like the idea of having a defined deadline. The war could go on forever because this administration has not set clear cut goals on when we should get out -- until the country is stable? There are many definitions of stable and different people will have different definitions. Having a set deadline is what we need; it's a date where troops will be home. However, i understand and do see the negative aspects.
Although this bill is not likely to be passed right now, perhaps something like it can be expected to be passed in the future after a new president comes forward.
i think we should try to get out of iraq as soon as possible. If we want to help rebuild the country why has it taken this long? i do however think that some peace and order should be restored before all of our troops come back home.
I had never thought about Benji's comment until now. If the troops are going to be sent to another country, i think they'd be better off in Iraq. But if they'll go home then we shoudl get out of Iraq.
It's very probable that Bush will veto this bill because he is the one who started the war in the first place. if he doesn't veto the bill it will seem as if even HE believes that the war was a mistake.
If Bush vetoes the Bill I give the Republicans a 5% chance of winning the election. If Bush can turn it around to make himself look like the good guy, he might not necessarily leave office being considered the worst president ever in the U.S. history. But, what reason does he have for not vetoing the bill, he seems to live pretty comfortably in Texas and his book will make him millions at the end of his office. My prediction, Republicans good luck after the Democrats make our economy the worst it has been EVER!
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