US: Democrats keep heat on Bush over Iraq war

Washington, May 11: Democrats in the US House of Representatives refused to back away from proposals to change course in Iraq, setting votes today on bills that would provide partial war funding and begin withdrawing troops.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi scheduled the votes for later in the day as members of Bush's own Republican Party have begun to more publicly question the war, which has killed at least 3,377 US soldiers and injured more than 24,000 since 2003. Iraqi soldiers and civilians have suffered far more.

Bush fired back, saying Congress should give military commanders more time and flexibility. As for the House Democrats' bill providing some war funds now and possibly more later, Bush said, ''I'll veto the bill if it's this haphazard, piecemeal funding.'' One bill, which even backers say will be defeated, would flatly deny funds for Bush's troop escalation under way in Iraq. It also would require US troops to begin withdrawing by September and finish within six to nine months.

Rep. James Moran, a Virginia Democrat, said that even in defeat, the vote will ''show that there is substantial sentiment for concluding this war.'' The vote also could blunt recent taunts from Republican leaders who have said Democrats ought to have the guts to hold an up-or-down vote on ending the war, instead of hiding troop withdrawal provisions in war-funding bills.

''This is the up-or-down vote,'' Moran said.

More likely to pass the House is a bill that would give the Pentagon 42.8 billion dollar in emergency defense funds so it can continue waging war in Iraq and Afghanistan for the next two to three months.

'Brings Accountability To Our Policy' - Congressman

Under the bill, Congress would vote in July on whether an additional 52.8 billion dollar would be released after Bush provides new assessments of the war. Congress then could decide to use the second batch of money for more combat or to begin withdrawing troops.

Withholding some funds now could put pressure on Iraqis to step up attempts to stabilize their country. US lawmakers are particularly angry over the possibility Iraq's parliament could take an extended summer break as US troops continue to risk their lives.

''It brings resources to the troops and accountability to our policy in Iraq,'' said Rep. Rahm Emanuel, an Illinois Democrat who holds a party leadership position.

The Bush administration says it needs nearly 100 billion dollar in war funds now, in one lump sum.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates, in a letter to Congress, said the House Democrats' two-step funding plan ''would cause significant disruptions to the effective and efficient operation'' of the military. He said the prolonged fight with Congress over war funding also ''negatively impacts our forces in the field.'' House Republicans are expected to back Bush and vote against this latest war-funding plan, which is likely to be watered-down during negotiations later this month with the Senate.

But 11 moderate Republicans met with Bush on Tuesday to voice their rising concerns over the war. As public opinion against the war grows, some could soon side with Democrats.

Rep. Ray LaHood of Illinois, who serves on the House panel that oversees war spending, told CNN the Republicans told Bush patience was wearing thin and ''things have got to change, that we're going to hang with him till September.'' Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a Florida Democrat, told Reuters the meeting put Bush ''on a much shorter leash than he's ever been on before. It's significant.''

Reuters>