Senate Democratic leaders stress they will keep pushing for a withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq even if President Bush vetoes legislations calling for a pullout, Associated Press reported on Sunday. Dick Durbin, the No. 2 Democratic leader in the U.S. Senate, and Joseph Biden, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee said lawmakers might work on a new measure that sets "target dates" for withdrawal. Biden cited a nonpartisan Congressional Research Service report saying, "I think we'll set a target date for withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq."
The report indicates that the Army could maintain its wartime operations well into July 2007 with funds already provided. Biden also stated that "we've got to change the mission to get a political solution. That's what we're saying."
Meanwhile, senator Durbin said, "If you follow this escalation of the war by President Bush, you can understand that there is no end in sight." The Democratic-controlled House and Senate passed measures last month setting conditions for an eventual withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq.