U.S Military Spending Bill For the War

Iraq Spending Bill

On November 6, the House and Senate passed a $459 billion military spending bill, but they did not pass the Republican proposal for $70 billion to continue the fighting in Iraq without restrictions. Senator Robert C. Byrd was quoted as saying, “This amendment would send to the president additional funding for this horrible, misguided war in Iraq without any Congressional direction that he change course. No strings attached. That would be a tragic mistake.”

It seems as if Congress has figured out that it holds the “purse strings”. Democrats have been saying for some time now that the course of the war must change. Representative John P. Murtha said, “The public wants this war over with. Many Democrats were elected because they said this war ought to end.” Congress has approved around $412 billion for the war in Iraq since 2003. President Bush vetoed a war spending bill in May because it set a date for the withdrawal of troops. Democrats are now using their majority in Congress to their advantage. They have attached a pullout goal to a $50 billion funding bill for the war. The goal is for the removal of all troops, except those absolutely necessary, by December 15, 2008. It also included government personnel to follow the Army field manual when conducting interrogations. This is intended to prevent the use of waterboarding. The bill will most certainly be opposed by most Republicans, and may be opposed by some strongly antiwar Democrats who want even tougher restrictions on the president. In the senate, many think the bill will run into a filibuster. Democrats say that this will just make Republicans responsible for delaying the money. Democrats have also threatened that if the $50 billion bill was rejected, they would not pass any other Iraq funding bills this year. Since Democrats have the majority, Bush will not get the funding he wants unless the bill passes with the pullout date.

By not passing the spending bill Congress is making a statement. Instead of just talking the talk, they are now also walking the walk. The decision to contradict the president may be a turning point in getting out of Iraq. People can argue all they want whether it is a good idea to leave Iraq, but when it comes down to it the majority rules. The majority of the people want to leave Iraq and have been waiting for Congress to do something like this. If this bill is the beginning to the end of the war, we will just have to wait and see if it was a good decision.