Democrats in Congress target Iraq spending

WASHINGTON, Oct. 10 (UPI) -- Top Democrats in the U.S. Congress are turning U.S. President George Bush's statements on excessive spending against the war in Iraq.

U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and other Democratic leaders are emphasizing the price tag of the war and planning legislation and hearings to highlight the cost, The Hill, a Washington newspaper, reported Wednesday.

The move follows Bush's promise to veto Democratic spending bills that exceed his set budget numbers.

"Republicans say there's excessive spending. We agree. Two-hundred billion (dollars) for Iraq is excessive," said Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill., chairman of the House Democratic Caucus.

Pelosi addressed the issue at a news conference last week, saying "the cost of the war in terms of dollars is a very important issue for the American people, especially when you think that we can insure 10 million children in America for one year for 40 days in Iraq."

Pelosi has placed a bill that addresses "war profiteering" on the fast track for a vote in the House. Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee is expected to follow up on the bill with a report on waste, fraud and abuse in Iraq.