Bush Will Veto New Iraq Bill

President Bush will veto a second proposed Iraq appropriations blll, the White House said today, dashing hopes for an agreement on the controversial measure. The new bill, which House Dems unveiled yesterday, requires the President to report to Congress on Iraq's progress in order to receive full funding for the war.

The White House still claims it's chasing a compromise with Dems, albeit one that includes no funding restrictions. But in a sign that pressure is building on the administration to accelerate, the VP paid a surprise visit to Baghdad earlier in the day, where he told reporters he discussed "the way ahead" with Prime Minister al-Maliki. (More Iraq appropriations stories.)