House passes Iraq deadline Bill, Bush vows to veto it

“The sacrifices borne by our troops and their families demand more than the blank cheques the president is asking for, for a war without end,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said.

The President has promised to veto the legislation early next week. The veto could fall on the fourth anniversary of the president’s Iraq “victory” speech.

The legislation is the first binding challenge on the war that Democrats have managed to execute since they took control of both houses of Congress in January.

The US$ 124 billion measure funds the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan through the end of the year, and provides billions for veterans’ health care and other nonmilitary programs.

Under the Bill passed, if Bush fails to certify that the Iraqi government is making progress on a series of “reconciliation initiatives”—including disarming militias, amending its constitution and equitably dividing oil revenues among the country’s sectarian communities—withdrawals must begin from July 1.

The plan then sets a nonbinding goal of completing the withdrawal within 180 days, which would end by December 27.

The measure would give Bush more leeway if he can demonstrate that the Iraqi government is making progress. Under that scenario, the plan orders the withdrawal to begin October 1, with a goal to complete the pullout by March 28, 2008.

The Democratic plan allows some US troops to remain to train Iraqi forces, protect American interests and conduct limited counterterrorism operations. Missing the suspense of congressional war debates earlier this year, Wednesday’s vote is merely one act in a largely scripted political drama unfolding in Washington as congressional Democrats intent on challenging the president push ahead with a Bill they know will never become law.

Republicans labelled the timetable a “surrender date”.

After Bush’s veto, Democrats have indicated they will strip out the withdrawal timeline, send the President another version of the spending Bill and attach timelines to future legislation.

Highlighting the growing readiness crisis facing the military, the plan also requires Bush to explain why military units are being deployed if they have not met standards for training and rest at their home bases.

With rhetorical sparring between the two branches of government showing no signs of slacking, the vote underscored the determination of congressional Democrats to stick together in their face-off with the White House.

Polls show widespread public support for congressional action to bring American troops home.