GOP CONGRESS MAY DITCH BUSHCO
Emboldened by the decline in President Bush's approval ratings, the Iraq prisoner abuse scandal and setbacks in the Iraq war, the Republican Congress is showing signs of taking a more assertive approach to its dealings with the administration.
One Senate committee is holding hearings into abuse of prisoners in Iraq and a second is about to issue a report on intelligence failures before the Iraq war. Early this month, a House Appropriations subcommittee, meeting behind closed doors, quickly rejected Bush's request for a free hand in spending a $25 billion contingency fund for the war in Iraq, stipulating instead how all but $1 billion would be used.
The same day, the Senate voted 95 to 0 to approve the war money with slightly less stringent conditions.
Republican legislators openly -- but seldom for the record -- vent their frustration to reporters about the Bush administration's secrecy, reluctance to consult and seeming contempt for the institution's processes. There have been some instances of rebellion.
One Senate committee is holding hearings into abuse of prisoners in Iraq and a second is about to issue a report on intelligence failures before the Iraq war. Early this month, a House Appropriations subcommittee, meeting behind closed doors, quickly rejected Bush's request for a free hand in spending a $25 billion contingency fund for the war in Iraq, stipulating instead how all but $1 billion would be used.
The same day, the Senate voted 95 to 0 to approve the war money with slightly less stringent conditions.
Republican legislators openly -- but seldom for the record -- vent their frustration to reporters about the Bush administration's secrecy, reluctance to consult and seeming contempt for the institution's processes. There have been some instances of rebellion.
posted by Gary at 10:05 PM
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