Iraq deadline remains in Senate bill

WASHINGTON, March 27 (UPI) -- A deadline for U.S. withdrawal from Iraq remained in the Senate version of a war-spending bill after senators rejected a Republican amendment Tuesday.

The 50-48 vote was along party lines, The New York Times reported. Two Republicans, Chuck Hagel of Nebraska and Gordon Smith of Oregon, joined the Democrats in rejecting an amendment by Thad Cochran of Mississippi that removed the March 31, 2008, deadline, while Mark Pryor, D-Ark., voted for it.

"This bill should be named the Date Certain for Surrender Act," said Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. "A second-year cadet at West Point could tell you that if you announce when the end will be, it's a recipe for defeat."

Some critics also accused the Democrats of loading the bill with domestic spending along with appropriations for Iraq and Afghanistan. Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W. Va., who heads the Appropriations Committee, defended it.

"Funding for the war is not the only critical need worthy of supplemental funding this year," Byrd said. "The war must not obliterate every other concern."

A bill with a Sept. 1, 2008, deadline has already passed the House. President Bush has promised to veto the measure once it reaches his desk.