Senate approves a pullout date in Iraq bill

March 28, 2007
Senate approves a pullout date in Iraq bill

WASHINGTON — Citing the mounting casualties and lack of tangible progress in Iraq, a sharply divided Senate voted Tuesday in favor of setting a timetable that would give President Bush four months to begin withdrawing American troops.

The Senate withdrawal provision, which sets a March 31, 2008, target for ending combat operations, is tucked into a $122 billion package to finance U.S. military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, a must-pass bill that Democrats view as their best shot at forcing Bush to change direction in Iraq.

The withdrawal language, which was narrowly upheld on a 50-48 vote Tuesday, was nearly identical to a Senate resolution that had failed by a 50-48 vote two weeks ago.