Hoyer to Dems: We’ll stay put until Iraq bill passes

The Hill

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) told Democratic lawmakers on Friday that they would remain in session until they passed legislation to pay for the war in Iraq, according to an announcement that he sent to members.

Republicans have tried to capitalize politically on the absence of a supplemental war spending bill after President Bush vetoed the first version, and Democrats lack the votes to override the veto.

Earlier this week, nearly 200 Republicans urged House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) not to go into Memorial Day recess until an Iraq supplemental had reached the president’s desk that he would sign.