Democrats' defacto defunding of troops at war

Washington Times:

The Pentagon yesterday warned that money was already running out for combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, as congressional Democrats dismissed recent security gains and threatened to stall emergency war funds.

"The Army is in a particularly precarious situation," Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell said. "Absent extraordinary measures, it would run out of money by mid-February — so quick congressional action is needed as quickly as possible."

The Defense Department had to start shuffling funds to cover war costs Tuesday after the president signed the department's $471 billion spending bill that did not include war funds but allowed account transfers, he said.

Nevertheless, House Democrats passed a $50 billion war-spending bill last night with a 218-203 vote that President Bush promises to veto because it mandates a U.S. pullout from Iraq start immediately with a goal of a nearly complete withdrawal by December 2008.

The bill mimics Democrats' previous challenges to Iraq policy and likely will stall emergency funds, which would pay for about three months of warfare while lawmakers debate the rest of the $196.4 billion war-funds request for 2008.

The top Democrats — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada — say they will withhold troop funds for at least the rest of the year if Mr. Bush does not accept the pullout timetable.

"There is a growing sense within our caucus that it is time to play hardball," said Rep. Jim McGovern, Massachusetts Democrat and outspoken war critic. "This is George Bush's war. He started it. He's got to finish it."

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Yes, the closer we get to victory the more desperate the Democrats are for defeat. Their passive aggressive approach to defunding the troops while they are in combat should be a disgrace to American voters and it should be remembered in the 2008 campaign as a betrayal of America and our troops. These people are out of touch with the war and they will be out of touch with the voters when voters become aware of the egregious conduct. The Democrat pander to the anti war pukes at MoveOn should be an issue for years to come.