Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid reconvened the chamber Tuesday by quoting solemn words from Pope Benedict’s Easter address about the “slaughter” in Iraq where “nothing positive” can emerge.
“Pope Benedict’s words weigh heavy on my mind,” said Reid, who was among the 77 senators who in 2002 supported the invasion of Iraq.
He remained adamant Tuesday that the more than $100 billion in new war money approved by both houses of Congress be tied to a timetable for withdrawal. He also dismissed an invitation from President Bush to discuss that legislation because Bush refuses to consider any “arbitrary” deadlines.
“The president is inviting us down to the White House with preconditions,” said the Nevada Democrat. “The president must realize that he has to deal with Congress.”
He and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, he said, discussed the matter Tuesday and are ready to meet with Bush if he agrees to compromise on his vow to veto any war bill that has timetables or is stuffed with billions of dollars in “pork” spending unrelated to the war.
Republicans, meanwhile, continued their support of Bush’s position against the timetables, which they refer to as a “timeline for surrender” that will “notify the enemy of when we intend to give up.”
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., disputed the suggestions by Democrats that the military has plenty of money to continue operations.
“Our commanders have said they need the funds now,” he said. “The shortage has begun to kick in and begun to create problems.”
Republicans also pointed to dissension among Democrats over how precisely to handle troop withdrawal.
Earlier this month, Reid joined Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., who voted against the war, to sponsor legislation that would force Bush’s hand by cutting off all funding for combat troops by March.
But Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin, D-Mich., who voted against the war, distanced himself from the effort.
“We’re not going to cut off funding for the troops,” he said Sunday on ABC News’ “This Week with George Stephanopoulos.” “We shouldn’t cut off the troops.”
