Democrats outline an Iraq endgame

The House leaders' plan gives Bush the war funding he seeks, but also requires a troop exit by August 2008 – at the latest.

from the March 9, 2007 edition

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The 44-member Blue Dog Coalition, which opposes any move that threatens to deprive US troops of funding, and other center-right Democrats have been urging leaders to give the president a waiver in any plan that tried to impose conditions on the spending of war funds. Pelosi confirmed that such waivers would be part of the plan but did not specify how they would affect the timetable for withdrawal.

Even before full details of the Democratic proposal were released, leaders of the more liberal 71-member Progressive Congressional Caucus urged caution in supporting it. "There are many people talking about voting against this bill," said Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D) of California, who chairs the caucus. She and others at a press briefing on Thursday say they are calling for a vote on an amendment by Rep. Barbara Lee (D) of California that requires completion of the withdrawal not later than Dec. 31, 2007. "The American people expect Democrats to end this war now," said another caucus member, Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D) of Ohio.

House Republican leader John Boehner attacked the measure. He said the legislation amounted to "establishing and telegraphing to our enemy a timetable" that would result in failure of the US mission in Iraq.

To pass the House, the legislation needs 218 votes. "We are a caucus, and we will come together and find our common ground," Pelosi said. She also said that she didn't know what purpose it would serve to allow a vote on the Lee amendment.

At press time, most lawmakers were still learning details of the agreement and not ready to commit either way on a vote.

To boost prospects for a positive vote, Democrats have packed the bill – officially, the US Troop Readiness, Veterans' Health and Iraq Accountability Act – with new funding for issues ranging from hurricane recovery on the Gulf Coast to veterans' health.

These include $1.7 billion to enhance medical services for active duty forces and mobilized reserves, and their family members – an especially high-profile issue in Washington after recent press reports of poor treatment at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. [Editor's note: The original version incorrectly named and located Walter Reed Army Medical Center.]

Democrats also propose adding $1.4 billion to cover the full cost of housing allowances for military members in this fiscal year, $2.5 billion to address training and equipment shortfalls in forces not deployed to theaters of operation, $1.4 billion to purchase highly touted mine-resistant vehicles – an increase of $311 million above the president's request.

The plan also recommends reductions to several high-profile programs requested by the president, including denial of funding for two Joint Strike Fighter purchases and five of the six EA-18G electronic attack airplanes requested by the Navy.

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