In the wake of US President George W. Bush’s demand for a clean war spending bill, it seems that his demand will not be met. Recently, Bush threatened to veto additions to the Iraq war spending bill. One of the attachments Bush had threatened to veto was the extension of the G.I. Bill drawn up and co-sponsored by Democratic Senator Jim Webb of Virginia called the “Post-9/11 Veteran’s Assistance Act.”
Recently Webb and presumed GOP nominee Senator John McCain of Arizona have clashed on the bill. McCain opposes the bill and favors a GOP alternative that would focus on career soldiers. While campaigning in Florida and Puerto Rico, Democratic presidential co-frontrunner Senator Barack Obama of Illinois squared off against McCain on that issue. Obama recently flew to Washington DC to vote for Webb’s expansion.
Bush threatened to veto it.
Now, more Republicans are splitting from Bush. However, Bush still has enough support in the US House to sustain his veto. But, support in the US Senate is a different story. 25 Senate Republicans have broken away from the White House. Along with breaking away, they have voted in favor of the extension of benefits for the jobless by thirteen weeks. In addition, they also voted in favor of Webb’s extension to the G.I. Bill.
Senate Republicans such as Robert Bennett of Utah have said that Bush’s influence is waning. To add insult to injury to Bush’s influence, conservative GOP senators such as Larry Craig of Idaho turned on him. A few months ago, the Senate Ethics Committee found that Craig acted improper in the men’s room during a sting operation.
It would look as if there is bipartisan support against Bush. Both the Democratic Party and GOP were in favor for added items such as using funds to help with the recovery of the Gulf Coast after it was ravaged by Hurricane Katrina back in 2005.
Overall, there are many indications that Bush’s influence is weakening. The split of Senate Republicans from the Bush administration seems to be the first indication. While this looks to be a victory for Democrats, there is still a long way to go. However, Bush does not leave office until January of 2009. There are many months to go between now and then.
Leave Your Comments