House approves bill to withdraw troops

WASHINGTON — President Bush called it “political theater,” an “abdication of responsibilities” by the Democrats. But for Nancy Pelosi, House passage of legislation ordering troops home from Iraq next year was sweet victory.

“Proudly, this new Congress voted to bring an end to the war in Iraq,” the speaker declared after Friday’s vote.

The 218-212 vote, mostly along party lines, was a hard-fought win for Democrats, who faced divisions within their own ranks on the rancorous issue. Passage marked their most brazen challenge yet to Bush on a war that has killed more than 3,200 troops and lost favor with the American public.

U.S. Rep. Pet Hoekstra, R-Holland, said he voted against the bill because it creates “artificial benchmarks” for the war against radical Islamists.

“I am disappointed in the bill and am concerned that it sends the enemy the wrong message but the House has spoken,” he said in a statement released by his office. “I stand behind U.S. troops 100 percent and intelligence professionals 100 percent and despite the restrictions I hope that they are able to use the funding to fight and win against followers of an ideology of hatred that is committed to eliminating free societies throughout the world.”

U.S. Rep. Dave Camp, R-Midland also voted no on the Iraq supplemental bill.

“Any vote to put, keep or remove American soldiers from harms way should solely be a vote of conscience. For me, it always has been,” Camp said in a release. “And, in good conscience, I cannot vote for legislation that micromanages the war and tells our enemies they simply need to hold on a little longer to win.”

Bush dismissed democrats action as “political theater” and said he would veto the bill if it reached his desk.