Senate delays Iraq resolution debate
With a filibuster threat looming, Senate Democrats delayed by a day the start of debate on a resolution authorizing the use for force in Iraq in order to give congressional leaders more time to reach a deal with the White House, sources said Monday.
Majority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D., had hoped to begin debate Tuesday, but a spokeswoman said deliberations will start Wednesday at the earliest.
Negotiators from Capitol Hill and the White House met Monday to work on the language. The bipartisan congressional leadership will join President Bush for breakfast Wednesday in order to wrap up work, the spokeswoman said.
Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., has signaled that he may try to object to calling up the Iraq resolution if the White House does not agree to narrow its scope. Byrd believes that the current version of the resolution tramples on congressional authority.
In other Senate action, GOP senators are expected Tuesday to defeat the next in a series of cloture motions on homeland security legislation.
Meanwhile, President Bush Monday signed into law the continuing resolution extending government operations through Friday.
"My administration will continue to work with the Congress to ensure that sound fiscal principles are adhered to as we complete action on the fiscal 2003 appropriations bills," Bush said in a written statement.
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