Bush, Dems meet on Iraq funding

WASHINGTON, May 2 (UPI) -- U.S. President George W. Bush and congressional leaders met at the White House Wednesday to discuss compromise legislation on Iraq war funding.

Bush Tuesday vetoed the $124 billion measure passed by Congress last week, largely because it included a timetable for withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq. Wednesday's meeting followed a House vote, 222-203, to sustain Bush's veto.

Bush has said he will accept no legislation that ties the hands of the military, while Democrats are pushing for benchmarks for the Iraqi government. The president refused to respond to questions from reporters on whether he will compromise.

Bush was accompanied to the meeting by White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten, Budget Director Rob Portman and national security adviser Stephen Hadley.

Earlier, Bush used an appearance before the Associated General Contractors of America Convention to urge Congress to give the latest Iraq strategy time to work.

"My view is the Congress and the country ought to give (U.S. Commander) Gen. (David) Petraeus time to see whether or not this works," Bush said.