House Democrats pushed through a bill today which would require President Bush to start bringing troops back home to end combat by next December. The legislation passed 218-203. Although it is unlikely to pass the Senate, and obviously not going to overcome a presidential veto, the Democrats see this as a symbolic victory. I’m sure our men and women in uniform, along with the Iraqis themselves, are relieved that the Democrats are winning the war on symbolism.

It also sets a goal of ending combat by December 15, 2008 and states that money included in the bill should be used to redeploy troops and “not to extend or prolong the war”.

The measure also would set government-wide standards on interrogation, effectively barring the CIA from using harsh techniques such as waterboarding, which simulates drowning.

The Bill was on shaky ground this week, after some liberal Democrats said it was too soft and would not force Mr Bush to end the war. Conservative Democrats said they thought it went too far and would tie the hands of military commanders.

The bill also requires that an unspecified number of troops leave Iraq within 30 days, something that the Bush administration was already set to do in order to reverse the 30,000 troop build-up the president ordered earlier in the year. Bush has already begun to reduce troop levels, but simply opposes congressional mandates telling him to do so. Thus, he has promised to veto the bill. In short, the legislation proves that the Democrats control military deployment as much as ordering your dog to piss on the carpet after he’s already lifted his leg proves that he’s well trained.

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