Representative David R. Obey, Wisconsin Democrat and chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, has threatened to unilaterally block President Bush's $189 billion emergency war-funding bill and force a U.S. pullout from Iraq. He proposes a to cut off funding unless congress passes a progressive income-tax surcharge.
Sen. Pete V. Domenici, New Mexico Republican, said Mr. Obey's threat to block war funds was "pretty gutsy."
"But I don't see how it would work," he said. "In the end, you've got to feed the soldiers."
The plan to starve the troops of funds would be "cheered by America's enemies," said Sen. Lindsey Graham, South Carolina Republican.
"This would be a blessing to al Qaeda, which is getting its brains beat out [in Iraq]," Mr. Graham said.
At the White House, Mr. Bush met with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani.
The two talked about the need for Iraq's parliament to pass key provisions that would hasten sectarian reconciliation.
Mr. Talabani assured Mr. Bush that "there was a good political environment right now for them to be able to move forward," said White House press secretary Dana Perino.
Democratic schemes to force a pullout from Iraq escalated this past June. By September they reached the point of frenzy as suspicions that the troop surge might bring some stability to Iraq became certainty, confirmed by the congressional testimony of General David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker.
Congressman Obey represents a congressional insurgency that clings to hope that political victory can be found in the ashes of Iraq, but he and the rest of the anti-war Democrats are up against a troop surge ithat has left them somewhat short on ashes. Rebuilding is under way. Be assured, though. They will continue to fight for chaos and defeat.
Comments