Democrats reluctantly gave up their demand for troops withdrawal dates in an Iraq war spending package today, conceding to President Bush on their number one goal in a debate that has roiled Congress for months. The confrontation sparked bitter exchanges between liberals and conservatives, yielding no middle ground where party leaders and Bush could compromise. In the end, Republicans had the ticking clock of troop funding and the presidential veto pen on their side, and Democrats were forced to blink.War opponents had hoped that Democratic control of Congress would force a swift end to the Iraq conflict. But the package requires Bush to surrender virtually none of his war authority. Instead of withdrawal dates, Democrats accepted a GOP plan to establish 18 benchmarks for the Iraqi government and to require Bush to report on progress starting in late July. If the Iraqis fall short, they could forfeit U.S. reconstruction aid.
The final agreement was hammered out by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and followed extensive consultations with GOP leaders and the White House. Party leaders did secure two other priorities, a long-sought minimum wage increase and $20 billion for domestic projects, both of which Bush had initially resisted. Reid called the benchmark language "extremely weak," but noted that Bush had initially demanded a bill with no strings attached. "For heaven's sake, look where we've come," Reid said. "It's a lot more than the president ever expected he'd have to agree to."
Republicans remained unifed throughout the debate, despite strong public opposition to the war and growing doubts within the party that a military victory in Iraq can be achieved. But GOP reaction was restrained when details of the deal circulated this afternoon. Early in the year, Republicans refused to allow an Iraq debate from even starting, when GOP senators blocked a non-binding resolution opposing Bush's troop escalation plan from coming to the floor. Today, many Republicans are prepared to reassess the entire war effort once the current funding bill expires on Sept. 30.
From the beginning, Democratic leaders knew their options would be limited by the party's slim governing majorities in both chambers. In the 51-49 Senate, Tim Johnson (D-S.D.) was absent following a brain hemorrhage, and independent Sen. Joseph Lieberman (Conn.), a member of the Democratic caucus, backed Bush on the war. Passage of the first spending bill was secured by two Republicans, Sens. Chuck Hagel (Neb.) and Gordon Smith (Ore.).
"Both sides are in a position where neither can do something without the other. That's the reality," said House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.).