Democrats push Iraq vote despite threat of Bush veto

WASHINGTON – Senate Democrats said Tuesday the White House’s latest veto threat would not dissuade them from pushing ahead on legislation calling for combat troops to come home from Iraq within one year.\nAs the Senate debated the bill Tuesday, the White House issued another stern warning to Congress that the president would reject any legislation setting a timetable on the war.\n“That’s not surprising from a White House that has stubbornly refused to change course even in the face of dwindling support from American people whose sons and daughters are dying” said Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt.\nThe administration contends that setting a timetable on the war assumes failure in Iraq.\n“This and other provisions would place freedom and democracy in Iraq at grave risk, embolden our enemies and undercut the administration’s plan to develop the Iraqi economy,” the White House said in a statement.\nThe $122 billion bill would fund the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan but order Bush to begin bringing some troops home right away, with the goal of ending combat missions by March 31, 2008.\nAn upcoming vote on whether to uphold the withdrawal language could come down to just one or two votes, testing Democratic unity on a proposal to begin bringing troops home.\nDemocratic Sens. Mark Pryor and Ben Nelson are expected to deliver the critical votes.\nThe bill is similar to one the House passed last week, but with a tougher deadline. While the Senate identifies March 2008 as a goal – giving the president leeway to ignore the deadline – the House voted 218-212 to require all combat troops out as of Aug. 31, 2008.\nSen. Thad Cochran, R-Miss., has proposed striking the withdrawal provision, which GOP members say would broadcast the nation’s war plans to the enemy and tie the hands of military commanders. “It’s a bad message all the way around,” said Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz.\nWhether Republicans have enough votes to beat the narrow Democratic majority depends upon their ability to enti