Top Democrat Admits: "We Can Write a Better Bill"

Via email:

The war spending bill crafted by Democratic Leaders is supposed to fund emergency priorities for our troops in harm’s way. Instead, Democrats have used the bill to micromanage the Global War on Terror and load up on BILLIONS in unrelated, unnecessary spending.

House Democrats are badly divided over the “slow-bleed” scheme embodied in the bill, which undermines our generals and chokes off resources for our troops. Many Democrats, including Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA), would prefer to have an up-or-down vote on whether to continue funding our troops. Stark was quoted in The Hill saying he would vote ‘No’ on the current scheme, and added:

“He added that if the resolution fails, ‘It won’t look good, like the Democrats can’t get their act together, but that’s OK. We can write a better bill.’”

Even Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) is privately admitting that if Democrats can’t get their act together this week, they may be forced to do the right thing and bring up a clean troop funding bill. According to the Politico:

“Pelosi is privately telling leaders of the Out of Iraq Caucus, including California Democratic Reps. Maxine Waters, Barbara Lee and Lynn Woolsey, that if the leadership-crafted spending bill, which includes a 2008 withdrawal date, goes down, she'll quickly bring up a ‘clean’ spending bill just for combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan through the end of the year and seek Republican support to pass it.”

Congressman John Boehner (R-OH) has repeatedly called on Democrats to drop the “slow-bleed” plan and bring up clean troop funding bill without any strings attached:

“It’s time for Democrats to do the right thing and bring up a clean bill that fully funds our troops and supports their efforts to successfully complete their mission. Victory in Iraq is vital to our success in the Global War on Terror, and House Republicans will continue to fight to ensure our generals and our troops receive the funding and resources they need to succeed.”

House Republicans will continue to stand united in this debate, and will oppose efforts by Democrats to undermine the ability of General Petraeus and our troops to achieve victory in the Global War on Terror.