Democrats say they're set for Iraq funding showdown

WASHINGTON (AP) -- House Democratic leaders predict they will have enough votes to pass legislation requiring U.S. troops to begin leaving Iraq by October 1 and send it on to President Bush for his promised veto.

Several House members said they would go along with the bill negotiated with the Senate in a bid for party unity despite their desire for an earlier, binding withdrawal date.

The bill, already negotiated with Senate leaders, is expected to reach the president's desk as early as next week following a final Senate vote Thursday.

The House vote scheduled Wednesday would come as the top U.S. commander in Iraq, Gen. David Petraeus, and other defense officials try to convince lawmakers that a timetable would push Iraq into chaos.

The president's promised veto guarantees a showdown with Democrats emboldened by last year's election, which handed them control of Congress.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/04/25/congress.iraq.ap/index.html