Capitol Hill, Washington DC – The United States House of Representatives voted one hour ago to sustain the veto of the newly inaugurated President of HR 6. The enlarged Democratic majority, which had succeeded in the Senate in getting the 67 votes necessary to override the President’s veto, fell 39 votes short in the House.HR 6 was the first in what are expected to be three bills this year providing funds to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The bill appropriated the money on condition of a timetable for immediate troop withdrawal, with the complete exit of US combat forces from Iraq by the 1st of January next year.The debate comes in a time of renewed concern about Iranian influence within Iraq, following on from the testimony of General David Petraeus, commander of US forces on the ground in Iraq, last week. The 111th Congress is off to a bitter and partisan start, with this fierce debate between emboldened majority and embattled minority. Republicans are accusing the Democrats of failing to unite behind the President and protect the security interests of the United States, and continue to point out the defeat of 2008 Democratic candidate Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton as an indication that, despite their opposition to the War in Iraq, the American people still firmly believe in the War on Terror.
Though not a victory for Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Senator Harry Reid, the successful override in the Senate and the vote in the House place renewed pressure on the new President to follow the wishes of the American people and begin preparations for withdrawal from Iraq. Since the election the violence in Iraq has increased once more, with the death of 25 marines in a fire fight in the suburbs of Baghdad on Inauguration Day providing stark reminder that American fighting men and women continue to place themselves in danger in a country spiralling further out of control.Many analysts in Washington are turning their attention once more to the Iranian influence in Iraq as the reason for the increased violence. This comes amidst testimony last week from General David Petraeus before the Senate Armed Services Committee about increased Iranian involvement in Iraq.
White House – Renewed Pressure on Iran
The Petraeus testimony has registered with the White House, who issued a statement today renewing its pledge to increase pressure on Iran to ensure that it does not act as a road-block to the democratic transition of Iraq. The White House has issued the following statement:“The American people are tired of the violence in Iraq and the President agrees that progress must be forthcoming. That is why he will make a televised address to the nation tomorrow evening to explain to the American people why the War Against Terror must continue to be fought in Iraq, and how he will respond to continued Iranian influence in preventing progress towards Iraqi stability. Our commanders on the ground are deeply concerned about Iranian involvement in funding sectarian violence and the President is now in a position to respond.”The President’s speech, his first to the nation since his Inaugural Address, will be held tomorrow, 8:30 pm Eastern (7:30 pm Central, check your local listings) on all networks. We will bring you coverage as it happens.
