House Dems Clear $106B War Funding Bill

War-funding legislation survived a fierce partisan battle in the House today, a major step in providing commanders in Iraq and Afghanistan the money they would need for the coming months. Democratic leaders pushing the $106 billion measure had to overcome an unusual alliance. Anti-war Democrats opposed continued war spending, and Republicans condemned $5 billion in the measure to secure a US line of credit to the International Monetary Fund for loans to poor countries.

Rep. Howard "Buck" McKeon, R-Calif., top Republican on the Armed Services Committee, contended that Democrats were endangering troops by shifting money to create room for a "global bailout loan program." The vote was 226-202, with only five Republicans voting for the bill and 32 Democrats opposing it. The Senate could move as early as this week on the legislation, which includes $1 billion to fund government rebates for consumers who trade in their old vehicles for more fuel-efficient models. (More House of Representatives stories.)