Today, the US Senate voted in favor to the first open debate concerning US troop withdrawal from Iraq since Democrats took control of Congress last January. The White House was swift to issue a veto threat, saying the debate “infringes upon the constitutional authority of the president as commander in chief.” The 89-9 vote came after many Republicans abandoned the tactic they had used twice this year to prevent the Senate from considering an end to the war.

Despite the vote, most Republicans opposed the Democratic bill and it was expected to eventually fall short of the 60 votes it will need to pass. Even so, the debate would give Democrats a chance to put Republicans on record as opposing a timetable on the war at a time when most American voters oppose…

…The Senate measure is weaker than legislation being considered by House Democrats that would demand troops leave before September 2008. However, several Senate Democrats have been reluctant to impose a strict deadline on the president.

In the House, Democratic leaders continued to try to rally members behind spending legislation aimed at ending the war. The House passed a nonbinding resolution in February stating opposition to Bush’s decision to send 21,500 more troops to Iraq.

The $124 billion measure would includes $95.5 billion for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The money for the Defense Department is $4 billion more than the president requested — extra money intended to enhance operations in Afghanistan and pay for added training and equipment and improved medical care for U.S. troops. The bill also would demand that the president bring troops home by fall 2008.

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