Senate reaches deal to advance Iraq funding
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Senate plans to vote Thursday on providing $165 billion to fund Pentagon operations in Iraq and Afghanistan until the new administration takes over next year.
A plan announced Wednesday night by Senate leaders would give great leverage to Republicans and would probably doom billions of dollars in domestic programs sought by Democrats, including 13 weeks of additional unemployment benefits for the jobless.
It would likely kill funding for heating subsidies, fighting Western wildfires and aid to rural schools, among many programs backed by senators in both parties despite a promised veto from President Bush.
In exchange, GOP leaders would allow a vote on a big expansion of education benefits for veterans under the GI Bill. It's favored to pass, but the White House has promised to veto it.
Is there any question who is still running the country? The impotent Dems couldn't stand up to a rain shower if their asses were on fire. Welcome to the New World Order.
