Democrats labor for sure majority on eve of troop vote

~ The legislation marks Congress' most direct challenge to date of Bush's Iraq war policy.

WASHINGTON -- On the eve of a critical vote, House Democrats labored Thursday to lock down a majority behind a Sept. 1, 2008, date for the withdrawal of U.S. combat troops from Iraq, the sternest test yet for a determined new majority eager to challenge President Bush.

"If it comes off it's a superb accomplishment," said Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., as the party's leaders cajoled liberals who want an even faster timetable and moderates fearful of tying the hands of the commander in chief and generals in the field.

Democratic aides expressed growing confidence of success when the vote is called, which could be as early as today. As evidence, they pointed to support from several longtime opponents of the war.

"I want this war ended today. If I thought it would help this war ending sooner by voting against the bill, I would vote against it in a heartbeat," said Rep. Jim McGovern of Massachusetts, who sponsored legislation for a troop withdrawal in 2005.

"But I don't believe that to be the case," he added of the measure, which combines funding for the war, the troop withdrawal deadline and billions of dollars in funding for politically popular programs at home ranging from farm aid to relief for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

The legislation marks Congress' most direct challenge to date of Bush's policy in a war that has claimed the lives of nearly 3,200 U.S. troops.

As debate began in the House, Republicans criticized it vociferously. "The bill is a sham," said Rep. Harold Rogers of Kentucky, adding it would "provide fodder for our enemies abroad."

Bush has threatened to veto the bill, opposing both the troop withdrawal provision and billions of dollars in spending that Democrats added.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates said any delay in approving the funds could "have a genuinely adverse affect on the readiness of the Army and the quality of life for soldiers and their families."

White House press secretary Tony Snow sharpened the message. "There's a very real chance that money for the troops will run out while members of Congress are on vacation," he said. "Is that the message you want to send to men and women who are putting their lives on the line?"

Across the Capitol, a Senate committee launched legislation taking a slightly different approach -- setting a date for the beginning of a withdrawal but only a nonbinding goal of March 31, 2008, for the final exit of combat forces.

The measure cleared the Senate Appropriations Committee on a voice vote, but Republicans said they would attempt to strip out the withdrawal provisions when the issue comes before the full Senate next week.

Senate Democrats fell short of a majority, 50-48, last week on a similar attempt to set a timeline for the war. Since then, Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada and others have made changes in hopes of persuading Sens. Ben Nelson of Nebraska and Mark Pryor of Arkansas to swing behind the withdrawal proposal. The changes include a series of suggested goals for the Iraqi government to meet to provide for its own security, enhance democracy and distribute its oil wealth fairly.

More than two months after Democrats took power, the main focus in the war debate was on the House, where Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the leadership chipped away at holdouts.

Rep. Jim McDermott of Washington, a 10th-term lawmaker and longtime opponent of the war, said he would support the measure. He called the legislation a "bare minimum but dramatically better than what we have today, which is a war without end, from a president capable only of escalation, not negotiation."

Rep. Hank Johnson of Georgia, new to Congress, said he was leaning toward supporting the legislation, as well. Like McDermott, he said he wanted a faster end to the war, but also said he had listened to the arguments of leadership that the current measure was the most that could be passed given the current makeup of the House.

"What we are here to do is to govern," Johnson said of the new Democratic majority, which came to power last January after midterm elections framed by voter discontent with the war.

Democrats hold 233 seats in the House, meaning they can lose 15 votes from their own rank and file and still be assured of passing the measure.

Whatever the vote count, some war foes disagreed with the strategy.

"I think the Democrats are doing it all wrong," said Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio.

"We don't agree with them," said Rep. Lynn Woolsey, D-Calif. She said she and others believe the party must "honor what the voters of November said, which is to be bold, end the war and bring the troops home."

But in another sign of gathering support for the legislation, the Congressional Black Caucus issued a statement pointing favorably to numerous provisions apart from the withdrawal deadline. The list included increased funding for traumatic brain injury care and research, money for post-traumatic stress disorder, money for the Walter Reed Army Medical Center and $1.3 billion in hurricane protection for the New Orleans area.