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

Obama's Cell Phone Plea Helps Clear War Funds

Last-minute tensions healed; measure set to pass next week

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 12, 2009 7:02 AM CDT
Email

(Newser) – Congressional leaders settled on a $106 billion spending bill for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan last night, but it took a last-minute intervention by President Obama via Rahm Emanuel's cell phone. When talks got bogged down over the release of detainee photos, Emanuel rushed to the Capitol and had Obama assure lawmakers via speaker phone that he would do everything in his power to block their release, reports Politico.

With that resolved, House and Senate negotiators finished work on the spending measure, which is now expected to clear Congress next week. The bill is vital to Obama because it covers not only war spending but a host of other issues, including $7.65 billion to fight the flu and $1 billion to encourage drivers to trade in gas guzzlers, notes the Wall Street Journal.

Sen. Mitch McConnell of Ky., center, speaks during a news conference June 9, 2009. Joining him, from left are, Sen. Lamar Alexander, Sen. Jon Kyl, Sen. John Thune, and Sen. John Cornyn.
Sen. Mitch McConnell of Ky., center, speaks during a news conference June 9, 2009. Joining him, from left are, Sen. Lamar Alexander, Sen. Jon Kyl, Sen. John Thune, and Sen. John Cornyn.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel walks across the South Lawn last week.
White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel walks across the South Lawn last week.   (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
President Barack Obama arrives on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Thursday, June 11, 2009, after a day trip to Green Bay, Wis.
President Barack Obama arrives on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Thursday, June 11, 2009, after a day trip to Green Bay, Wis.   (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)
Democratic senators are seen during a news conference on Capitol Hill yesterday. From left are, Sen. Richard Durbin, Sen. Chris Dodd, Sen. Jack Reed, and Sen. Tom Harkin.
Democratic senators are seen during a news conference on Capitol Hill yesterday. From left are, Sen. Richard Durbin, Sen. Chris Dodd, Sen. Jack Reed, and Sen. Tom Harkin.   (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
« 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
Showing 3 of 5 comments
foodchain11
Jun 13, 2009 10:00 AM CDT
You really can't compare what Bush did to our troops and Obama's trying to save their lives. He's NOT torturing as Blush did; he's just trying to avoid an explosion of anger against our troops and innocent civilians in the middle east.
foodchain11
Jun 13, 2009 9:57 AM CDT
We've always not known every detail and part of that is security based. I'd hope that once there's more stability in the middle east, we might get answers to Bush's illegal activities. Remember the GREAT REAGAN whose cabinet had to take the 5th? Obama is way ahead of the republicans for whom the end always justifies the means--thier ends just look too brilliant.
Reader65069154
Jun 12, 2009 12:37 PM CDT
We will be the most transparent government in history. Except when it's inconvenient. Just like every other administration in history. Yawn.

Pelosi 'plays chicken' to pass bill
The Hill

More on the measures
Bloomberg

 
Congress • White House • Guantanamo Bay • auto industry • Guantanamo prisoners • spending bill • flu • defense spending • Iraq war spending • torture photos

More Newser Stories

The Reason Guantanamo Still Isn't Closed

Judge Orders Gitmo Detainee Returned to Afghanistan

Italy to Take 3 Gitmo Detainees

Big 3 Bailout Plan Goes to White House
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne