House Democrats are working toward a consensus for the withdrawal of troops from Iraq. Peter Cohn and Christian Bourge of Congress Daily report that Appropriations Chairman David Obey (D-Wis.) has a plan that would establish a timetable for withdrawal and mandate that the Iraqi government meet benchmarks within that context. The Democrats have been stalling the budget resolution and the Iraq supplemental spending bill as a result. “What we’re trying to do it make policy, not just points,” said House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), according to The Hill’s Mike Soraghan. Resolving the issue “has taken longer than we thought it would,” he said. He also said members are discussing a way to allow caucus members to offer an amendment on the floor during the Iraq debate for a full troop withdrawal.
The new defense reconciliation bill includes $7.2 billion for Air Force and Navy aviation accounts, almost half of which will buy more F-15EXs. While electronic warfare, drones, connectivity and airlift all get attention, the F-35 was conspicuously absent from the package, with no explanation given.