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WASHINGTON - Defying President George W. Bush's veto threat, the House of Representatives yesterday approved a bill providing new war funds while setting a target timeline for the withdrawal of all United States combat troops from Iraq by March 31 next year.
By a mostly partisan vote of 218-208, the Democratic-led House narrowly approved the US$124 billion ($168 billion) emergency spending bill, ignoring Bush's promise to veto any bill that sets deadlines for withdrawing the troops.
The Senate is expected to approve the legislation today, sending it to Bush for what will be only his second veto in more than six years as President.
"Tonight, the House of Representatives voted for failure in Iraq and the President will veto its bill," White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said.
The House vote came hours after the US commander in Iraq went to Capitol Hill to brief lawmakers on the status of the war, a briefing the White House hoped would bolster support.
Unlike an earlier version the House passed last month, this bill does not set a firm date for all US combat troops to leave the war. Instead, a non-binding March 31 date for finishing the withdrawal is merely a "target."
Democratic politicians also yesterday subpoenaed Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to testify about the Administration's justification for the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
But the White House said it might fight the subpoena, citing a legal doctrine that can shield a President and his aides from having to answer questions from Congress.
- REUTERS
