Which is it? Dem Confusion Over Plans to Pass Supplemental

Via email:

Congress received the Supplemental request for troop funding 100 days ago today. And though Democratic Leaders have pledged to finally pass a bill the President can sign before the Memorial Day recess, at least one of them appears to be having second thoughts. This begs the questions: After 100 days and two dozen failed plans, do they even have a plan? Will they or won’t they fund the troops before Memorial Day?

Reid and Pelosi:

“Reid, D-Nev., said Tuesday evening that he and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., agree that the chambers must complete a war supplemental before leaving for the Memorial Day recess, which is set to begin in less than two weeks.” (“Hill Scrambling to Clear War Bill Next Week, CQ Today, May 16, 2007)

Hoyer:

“House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer said Tuesday that Congress may not clear a second version of Iraq war funding legislation before the Memorial Day recess as Democratic leaders had pledged to do earlier this month.” (“Final Action on War Funding May Slide Into June, Hoyer Says, CQ Today,May 16, 2007)

Boehner:

“Tomorrow (today) it’ll be 100 days since the President asked Congress for funding the war going on in Afghanistan and Iraq . And I don’t think the Congress should adjourn for Memorial Day without funding troops that are in harm’s way. And thus far they refuse to craft a clean bill that the President’s going to sign. Republicans want to work with them, but we’re unified in support of our troops. And I think it’s time to do the right thing.”

“The majority here in Congress – they have no plan. They’ve got themselves in this box and they can’t quite figure out how to get out of it. And so, at the end of the day I feel very good about the chances of Republicans forcing them to pass a bill that is clean, without excessive pork in it, that will in fact fund our efforts to win in Iraq .” (Interview with Lars Larson, May 15, 2006.)