IRAQ WITHDRAWAL

IRAQ WITHDRAWAL
Votes and quotes
The U.S. House narrowly approved a 124 billion war spending bill that includes a provision requiring President Bush to withdraw troops from Iraq no later than September 2008. The bill passed largely along party lines 218-212 with Democrats supporting it Friday. Bush promises to veto the bill. Here's what House members who represent the Mahoning and Shenango valleys have to say about the bill.
U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, of Niles, D-17th: "This is the first step to bring this war to a reasonable close and ensures our soldiers have the equipment and training to protect themselves. This bill also addresses troop readiness issues and takes great strides in fixing our veterans health care system."
U.S. Rep. Charlie Wilson, of St. Clairsville, D-6th: "We ask so much of our brave men and women in uniform, and each time they deliver. With this vote we deliver much-needed support to our troops and their families. ... This week we entered our fifth year in Iraq, and there is no end in sight."
U.S. Rep. Jason Altmire of McCandless, Pa., D-4th: "The House supplemental funding bill, for the first time, outlines a clear and decisive strategy for success in Iraq. By laying out key security, political and economic benchmarks, we make clear to the Iraqis that the United States will assist in the training functions necessary to enable the Iraqi government to protect Iraq, but that the long-term responsibility of these functions belong to the Iraqi government."
U.S. Rep. Phil English of Erie, Pa., R-3rd: "The Democratic leadership made a sham of their claims to reform and open government, bought their members' votes with our tax dollars and submitted their political judgment for the military judgment of our generals in the field. ... Irresponsible pork barrel coupled with artificial military restrictions is not the right course for this country or for our troops."