Bush fights to control Iraq strategy
A rising chorus in Congress to cut short the 'surge' has mobilized the administration.
from the July 12, 2007 edition
Page 3 of 3
Some opponents of congressional efforts to change US Iraq policy say the proposed amendments would be tantamount to the legislative branch wresting control of foreign policy from the executive branch. Sen. John McCain (R) of Arizona, just back from Iraq, used those grounds to criticize a defense-funding amendment proposed by Sen. Jim Webb (D) of Virginia that would give soldiers deployed to Iraq as much time back home as their deployment before they could be redeployed.
But the argument that appears to be swaying rebellious Senate Republicans is the one that finds the Iraqis are not holding up their side of a bargain struck in January. With US troops dying at an accelerated rate and the US spending nearly $10 billion a month, more of them are finding it reasonable to expect progress.
"Simply put, our troops have been doing a great job, but the Iraqi government has not," Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R) of North Carolina, said Tuesday. "It is my firm hope and belief that we can start bringing our troops home in 2008."
The House is also expected to vote this week on a measure to begin withdrawing troops from Iraq in 120 days.
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