The U.S. Senate Defies the President

By Cerstin Johnson

Last month, the U.S. Senate barely approved a $122 billion war spending bill, which mandated that troops begin a withdrawal from Iraq as early as this summer. The bill called for a complete withdrawal from Iraq by March 31, 2008, with the exception of some soldiers remaining to instruct Iraqi forces on counterterrorism moves. President Bush threatened to veto the bill before its approval yet the Senate resisted with a 51-47 vote, with two Republicans supporting the cause.

Bush responded with one of his most belligerent speeches yet. He violently accused the Senate saying that "the American people will know who to hold responsible", a bold assumption for any one individual to make yet alone George W. Bush. We all know the facts. President Bush's approval ratings have been below 50% in AP-Ipsos polls since December 2004. Doesn't it seem slightly ridiculous for a man so disliked by the American public to claim to know what they will think?

Since the prolonged occupation of Iraq, our President has made the same speeches, each another idealistic rant to add to the pile. In his January 23rd State of the Union Address, he spoke of "hope" and "unity" and the need to spread democracy as reasons to maintain our operations in Iraq. He insisted that the Iraq war was at the forefront of our efforts to exterminate radical Islamic regimes across the world. Yet with the passing of this new bill, it is evident that Americans aren't falling for his tricks (as if the overturning of the House wasn't enough).

Though it is still unlikely that the bill will survive a presidential veto, it is definite that a narrow majority of the Congressional sentiment is to push forward with Iraq removal policies. This sentiment was increasingly evident when House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi said, "This war without end has gone on for far too long, and we are here to end it." What, I ask, does Mr. Bush have to say to that?

By Madia Brown |  April 15, 2007; 9:26 PM ET
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