CAPITOL HILL (AP) - A 163-billion-dollar measure covering
President Bush's funding request for the Iraq war has suffered a
surprising defeat in the House.
Anti-war Democrats voted against the measure and 132 House
Republicans didn't weigh in at all. The House GOP is upset at
domestic spending provisions linked to the bill and most
Republicans simply voted present and stayed on the sidelines.
President Bush had threatened to veto the plan over the add-on
spending. Minority Leader John Boehner (BAY'-nur) claims Democrats
are playing "political games" on the backs of the troops.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi counters that the vote shows Republicans
"are confused and are in disarray."
The Senate is expected to revive the funding measure next week.
One of the add-on measures would provide full college
scholarships to enlistees.