President Bush's veto on bill of withdrawing American forces from Iraq in force

PanARMENIAN.Net - On May 2 the U.S. Congress could not overcome the veto, which was placed by President George Bush on the bill that fixes a concrete timetable for withdrawing American forces from Iraq, Associated Press reports.



222 congressmen supported the bill and 203 lawmakers voted against. At least 290 votes are necessary for overcoming presidential veto.



During House debates on this issue House Speaker Nancy Pelosi stated that by banning lawmakers to fix a timetable for withdrawing combat forces from Iraq, in fact President Bush "remained deaf to the will of American people". However Republican Jerry Lewis called on House members to refuse from efforts to overcome president's veto, underlining that politicians must not make military decisions. "It is not time for the United States to end the war against terror," Lewis said.



On Tuesday the president placed a veto on the legislation that earlier was approved by both chambers of the American Congress. The bill tied up assignment of $124 billion for financing military operation with a commitment to withdraw American troops from Iraq during 2008. Explaining his decision President Bush particularly said, "to fix a final date for withdrawing our troops means nothing else than to determine the date of defeat".