House passes Iraq withdrawal bill

The House tonight passed a $50 billion Iraq funding bill that sets a "goal" of having all U.S. forces out of the country by Dec. 2008, the latest move in the ongoing political struggle over the war.

The "Orderly and Responsible Iraq Redeployment Appropriations Act" was adopted by a vote of 218 to 203, with only four Republicans - Reps. Phil English (Pa.), Walter Jones (N.C.), Christopher Shays (Conn.) and James Walsh (N.Y.) - backing  the measure.

Rep. Wayne Gilchrest (R-Md.), who has backed other Democratic withdrawal bills, did not vote.

Fifteen Democrats opposed the bill - Reps. Tom Allen (Maine), Brian Baird (Wash.), John Barrow (Ga.), Dan Boren (Okla.), Jim Cooper (Tenn.), Dennis Kucinich (Ohio), Nick Lampson (Texas), Jim Marshall (Ga.), Jim Matheson (Utah), Michael McNulty (N.Y.), Michael Michaud (Maine), Vic Snyder (Ark.), Pete Stark (Wash.), Gene Taylor (Miss.), and John Tanner (Tenn.).

Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) voted present.

...........

Update - White House Press Secretary Dana Perino just issued the following statement on the House vote: "Today the House of Representatives passed on a largely party-line vote legislation that would only partially fund our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, but fully embolden our enemies. Once again, the Democratic leadership is taking this debate down a well-worn path that calls for arbitrary withdrawal from the battlefield, despite the gains our military has made over the past year. These votes, like the dozens of previous failed votes, put the interests of radical interest groups ahead of the needs of our military and their mission. If legislation comes to the President in this form, he will certainly veto it."

Perino also said that Bush wants Congress to send him a clean Iraq funding bill before it adjourns for the year in December.
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From Pelosi:

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Third time in the past week, I think, but I've given up counting.

who voted for the IWR!

But seriously folks --

Don't be hard on yourself - you believed in him when you cast your vote. :hug:

He won that seat by 864 votes, IIRC, in a gerrymandered district.

Some of his votes have been good ones. But I think he's pandering to the mythical middle and to the right with some of his recent positions. He's no doubt thinking about '08, and trying to win over people who believe Democrat=Commie. In the process, he's busy alienating lefties who put him over the top. The sad calculus of red-state Democrats...

nt

The "Orderly and Responsible Iraq Redeployment Appropriations Act" was adopted by a vote of 218 to 203, with only four Republicans -

Reps. Phil English (Pa.)

Facing a possible tough race in 2008

Walter Jones (N.C.)

has been against the war for 3 years now

Christopher Shays (Conn.)

The last remaining Republican in New England. Close call in 2006

James Walsh (N.Y.)

Also had a scare in 2006

Rep. Wayne Gilchrest (R-Md.), who has backed other Democratic withdrawal bills, did not vote.

Not sure why. I think his district is trending Democratic after it opens up

Fifteen Democrats opposed the bill -

Reps. Tom Allen (Maine)

Running for the Senate. In frigin Maine, he's afraid to stand up against the war?

Brian Baird (Wash.)

DLC enabler

John Barrow (Ga.)

Had a close call in 2006, as other Democrats were romping to victory

Dan Boren (Okla.)

Don't know much about his district, but I think it voted for Gore in 2000.

Jim Cooper (Tenn.)

Aspires to higher office maybe? Uh Jim, conservative white people in the South don't vote Democratic, mkay? It's not 1956 anymore.

Dennis Kucinich (Ohio)

A clueless idealist who just does not seem to get it

Nick Lampson (Texas)

Holds Tom DeLay's seat. If he had a real GOP opponent in 2006 he would not be there. Republicans are going to throw everything they have at him. His district is a bitch. I will cut him some slack

Jim Marshall (Ga.)

Probably the most conservative Democrat in the House, and yet he barely survived in 2006. He's in trouble in 2008. Jim, no matter how often you vote with Bush and Boehner, the pooh-bellied, conservative white men and fundamentalist wackos who love this war to death WILL NOT VOTE FOR YOU.

Jim Matheson (Utah)

Isn't Bush still over 50% in Utah?

Michael McNulty (N.Y.)

It's a Democratic district and he's retiring so who cares.

Michael Michaud (Maine),

You're guess is a good as mine

Vic Snyder (Ark.)

Another one that puzzles me. He hasn't had a tough race in years.

Pete Stark (Wash.)

Still apologizing for his blunt remarks a couple of weeks ago, perhaps? Fool.

Gene Taylor (Miss.)

Bush probably threatened to cut off Katrina money to his district

John Tanner (Tenn.).

I continue to support term limits