Bush challenges Congress on Iraq war bill

Forcing Bush's hand
Reid spokesman Jim Manley said the bill to cut off funds for the war would likely be introduced as standalone legislation and would not be tied to the supplemental spending bill.

Reid's proposal would be the most extreme and divisive measure to be considered by Democrats to try to force Bush's hand on the war.

Most Republicans and many conservative Democratic senators, including Ben Nelson of Nebraska, have been reluctant to embrace a timetable in Iraq. Nelson agreed last week to swing behind the Senate spending bill, which calls for troops to leave by March 31, 2008, only because the date was nonbinding and not a firm deadline.

Nelson also agreed to vote for the measure because Reid added language Nelson wanted outlining steps the Iraqi government should take to improve stability in Iraq.

Sens. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska and Gordon Smith of Oregon were the only Republicans who supported the measure.

New Democratic strategy
Reid's promise marks a new shift in strategy for Democrats. Reid was previously reluctant to embrace the suggestion of using Congress' power of the purse and deflected questions on the matter by saying Democrats would provide troops with what they need to be safe.

His latest proposal would give the president one year to get troops out, ending funding for combat operations after March 31, 2008, and allowing troops to conduct only counterterrorism operations, train Iraqi forces and provide security for U.S. infrastructure and personnel.

This latest challenge indicates Reid is likely both frustrated by Bush's insistence on the war and his own shaky majority in Congress. Unable to override a presidential veto because he lacks the necessary two-thirds majority support, Reid is trying to ratchet up the pressure on Bush in the hopes the president will cave.

Displeasure with Pelosi's trip
As Bush spoke, Speaker Pelosi was arriving in Damascus, a trip that the president said was ill-advised.

“A lot of people have gone to see President Assad....and yet we haven’t seen action. He hasn’t responded,” Bush told reporters from the Rose Garden.

He said Assad had not reined in violent elements of militant groups Hamas and Hezbollah as requested by the international community and had acted to destabilize the democratically elected government of Lebanon.

“Sending delegations doesn’t work. It’s simply been counterproductive,” Bush said.

Pelosi is leading a high-level congressional delegation that is touring the Middle East.

Pelosi has shrugged off White House criticism of her visit to Damascus, saying it was an “excellent idea” for her and other lawmakers — Democrats and Republicans alike — to go to Syria. The White House has said the administration objects to all visits to Syria by high-ranking officials.

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