Print (Related) Email (Related)
Nancy Pelosi and her fellow Democrats have backed down from another confrontation with President Bush (Reuters)
US House approves war fundingThe US House of Representatives has broken a four-month deadlock with President George W Bush by approving $US100 billion ($122 billion) in new funds for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan without a timetable for withdrawing combat troops.
The House passed the emergency funding bill, sending it to the Senate for expected approval, by a vote of 280 to 142.
The war funds are coupled with new domestic money for child health care, more reconstruction after 2005 hurricanes and other programs.
The Bill also raises the US minimum wage for the first time in more than a decade.
Under a compromise deal with the Democrats, the legislation forces non-military reconstruction aid to be conditional on the Iraqi Government tackling violence in the country.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, says the Bill is a small step forward on the Iraq war.
"Instead, we should have a giant step forward into a new direction," she said.
Ms Pelosi says Democrats will promptly renew their efforts to pull US combat troops from Iraq in upcoming legislation.
On May 1, Bush vetoed legislation that would have forced the beginning of troop withdrawals by October 1.
- Reuters
Related Video
US President George W Bush has predicted heavy fighting in Iraq this summer, as Congress moves towards a tense vote that would give him the funding he wants for the war.
Related AudioAs the US death toll in Iraq creeps towards 3,500, President George W Bush is warning there will be more casualties over the next few months as the so-called troops surge takes effect.
Send us your pictures. Email your pictures and video to ABC News Online (Related) or send them via MMS to 0417 751 633 (+61 417 751 633 if you're overseas.) Email address: yourpics@your.abc.net.au
No comments:
Post a Comment