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Bush Wins War Budget Battle

Senate approves $70 billion in war funds

By Peter Fearon,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 19, 2007 3:39 AM CST

(Newser) – The White House last night won a major victory in the Senate—securing $70 billion in funding for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, free of the restrictions linked to troop withdrawals Democrats had insisted on for weeks. In a budget deal that ended months of wrangling, the Senate passed a massive $555 billion spending bill that combined funds for government agencies with money for the wars.

Democrats put a positive spin on their war-funding climbdown, and stressed that they were able to steer money to their priorities. "The Grinch tried to steal Christmas, but we didn't let him get all of it," said Iowa Senator Tom Harkin. The war funding goes back to the House for a final vote expected oday.

Sen. Joseph Lieberman, I-Conn. a former Democratic Vice Presidential candidate, left, raises his arm in support for Republican Presidential hopeful, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., after endorsing him at the American Legion in Hillsborough. Tuesday Lieberman again sided with Republicans in a vote on funding the wars in Iraq and Afghhanistan....
Sen. Joseph Lieberman, I-Conn. a former Democratic Vice Presidential candidate, left, raises his arm in support for Republican Presidential hopeful, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., after endorsing him at the...   (Associated Press)
President Bush won a major victory over the Senate Tuesday securing war funding without the restrictions demanded by Democrats. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
President Bush won a major victory over the Senate Tuesday securing war funding without the restrictions demanded by Democrats. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)   (Associated Press)
President Bush won a major victory over the Senate Tuesday securing war funding without the restrictions demanded by Democrats. Senator Tom Harkin said in exchange for the funding the White house had to make important concessions.  (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
President Bush won a major victory over the Senate Tuesday securing war funding without the restrictions demanded by Democrats. Senator Tom Harkin said in exchange for the funding the White house had...   (Associated Press)
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