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Democrats consider making Iraq timetable 'advisory'

House Democrats are considering revising the language in the Iraq war spending bill regarding the proposed troop withdrawal timetable so that the dates are "advisory" and no longer binding, reports the Washington Post.
House Democrats are considering revising the language in the Iraq war spending bill regarding the proposed troop withdrawal timetable so that the dates are "advisory" and no longer binding, reports the Washington Post.

"The compromise language would keep the deadlines included in the original House bill but make them nonbinding, as the Senate version did, and would allow President Bush to waive troop-readiness standards, lawmakers said," writes Peter Baker and Jonathan Weisman.

President Bush has vowed to veto the spending bill if it includes measures calling for troops to be withdrawn by a specific date.

"The compromises may cost Democrats votes among antiwar liberals, but they hope to pick up some Republicans," continues the Post.

Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-NV) said that Bush should sign the bill, which he said is "best for the American people."

Excerpts from the article are below:

#
The haggling between congressional Democrats came as their leaders met at the White House with Bush to try to hash out their dispute. Both sides termed it a polite, productive meeting in which they restated their positions but emerged without an agreement. Democrats promised to send Bush their bill next week.

....

Much of yesterday's one-hour meeting in the Cabinet Room centered on benchmarks for Iraqis to meet, such as passing legislation to divide up oil revenue and tamp down sectarian violence. Bush assured congressional leaders that he believes in benchmarks and has been pressing Iraqi leaders to meet them. Democrats want to make the benchmarks binding.

Democrats cited the words of Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, who told reporters traveling with him in the Middle East that congressional demands for withdrawal have been constructive. "The strong feelings expressed in the Congress about the timetable probably has had a positive impact . . . in terms of communicating to the Iraqis that this is not an open-ended commitment," Gates said.
 
 

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