MIL/Agencies, Apr 28, 2007. Author:
Washington, April 28, 2007 - The Democrat-controlled US Congress is reported to have defiantly passed a bill demanding a recall of American troops from Iraq and it has been tipped that President Bush will veto the Bill.
Transcript
VIRGINIA TRIOLI: When the Democrats won control of the US Congress last year, both they and President Bush publicly promised to work together, especially on the issue of Iraq. Those promises have failed at the first hurdle, with Democrats defiantly passing a bill demanding the recall of American troops from Iraq, a bill President Bush will certainly veto.
Tom Iggulden reports:
TOM IGGULDEN: The showdown's been brewing for weeks. Democrats haven't been willing to compromise on their bill to bring American troops home and the President's made it clear what he'll do with the legislation.
GEORGE W. BUSH, US PRESIDENT: I'll veto - I'm going to veto it. They know I'm going to veto it - I will veto it.
TOM IGGULDEN: Not surprisingly, there's no change today.
DANA PERINO, WHITE HOUSE SPOKESWOMAN: I just spoke to the President in the Oval Office and as he said he would for weeks, the President will veto this legislation.
TOM IGGULDEN: Though futile for all practical purposes, the Bill has allowed Democrats to again voice their opposition to the war in Iraq.
TED KENNEDY, DEMOCRAT SENATOR: Presidents make mistakes. And this president has made this mistake. The American people were right in Vietnam and brought that war to an end and the American people are right now.
TOM IGGULDEN: The debate's also given Republican senators a chance to accuse Democrats of selling out American troops.
ORRIN HATCH, REPUBLICAN SENATOR: This is the worst case of capitulation to a appeasement since Neville Chamberlain spoke the words, "Peace in our time".
MITCH MCCONNELL, REPUBLICAN SENATE MINORITY LEADER: George Orwell said the quickest way to end a war is to lose it. This is a road we must not take.
TOM IGGULDEN: But the top Democrat in the Senate thinks America is already well down that path.
HARRY REID, DEMOCRAT SENATE MAJORITY LEADER: After more than four years of a failed policy, it's time for Iraq to take responsibility for its future. We ask the President to read and to sign this bill.
TOM IGGULDEN: The Bill hits the President's desk exactly four years after he declared that the US had nothing more to achieve in Iraq. Two Republican senators crossed the floor and voted for the troop withdrawal legislation, Democrat leaders are hoping to convince more Republicans to join them.
HILLARY CLINTON, DEMOCRAT PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: He is stubbornly refusing to listen to the will of the American people. You know, if this President does not get us out of Iraq, when I'm president I will.
JOHN EDWARDS, DEMOCRAT PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Senator Clinton and anyone else who voted for this war has to search themselves and decide whether they believe they voted the right way, if so they can support their vote. If they believe they didn't, I think it's important to be straightforward and honest.
TOM IGGULDEN: Also today, the US military Commander in Iraq visited Washington. He said although the surge of troops into Baghdad had made progress in some areas, it had not quietened violence in the capital.
GENERAL DAVID PETRAEUS, US TROOP COMMANDER IN IRAQ: The situation in Iraq is in some, exceedingly complex and very tough, this effort may get harder before it gets easier.
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