Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

House Rejects $162.5B Bill to Fund Wars

Republicans abstain in protest, leading to surprise defeat

By John Johnson,  Newser Staff

Posted May 15, 2008 5:10 PM CDT

(Newser) – The House today shot down a $162.5 billion bill to fund the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan into next year after a surprise tactic by angry Republicans, the Washington Post reports. The bill failed by a vote of 148-141 after 132 members of the GOP abstained. By doing so, they formed an unusual coalition with a group of anti-war Democrats. The vote doesn't mean the wars won't be funded, however—the bill will be revived in the Senate next week.

"We're playing political games on the backs of our troops," said Republican John A. Boehner. He and other members of the GOP were upset that Democrats split the war bill into three parts and charged that Dems drafted it in secret. The other two parts—calling for all troops to be out by the end of 2009 and expanding benefits for veterans—passed. The bill now proceeds to the Senate, though without any war funding.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., at podium, leads a House Democratic Leadership news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, May 14, 2008.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., at podium, leads a House Democratic Leadership news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, May 14, 2008.   (AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson)
House Democrat Caucus Chairman Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill., left, looks on as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, May 14, 2008.
House Democrat Caucus Chairman Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill., left, looks on as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, May 14, 2008.   (AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson)
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., at podium leads a Democrat news conference, Wednesday, May 14, 2008, on Capitol Hill in Washington.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., at podium leads a Democrat news conference, Wednesday, May 14, 2008, on Capitol Hill in Washington.   (AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

Payroll Tax Deal: $20 a Week in Paychecks

Insider-Trading Probe Targets House Committee Chair

Lawmakers Shuffled Millions to Relatives' Causes

US Will Halve Vast Iraq Embassy

Lawmakers Use Earmarks to Aid Own Properties


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne