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  As Congress Reconvenes, Democrats Are Split Over Iraq, Surveillance Strategies
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ContributorScottĀ³ 
Last EditedScottĀ³  Sep 02, 2007 05:31pm
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CategoryNews
MediaNewspaper - Washington Post
News DateSunday, September 2, 2007 11:30:00 PM UTC0:0
DescriptionWashington Post article.

An excerpt...
"Divided by their liberal and moderate wings, congressional Democrats return from a monthlong recess without consensus on how to tackle several pressing issues, including Iraq and warrantless wiretaps.

Democrats control both chambers but lack the numbers to override President Bush's vetoes of bids to mandate troop withdrawals from Iraq. They also have failed to significantly rewrite the administration's electronic surveillance programs.

That leaves party leaders squeezed between two camps when the House and Senate reconvene Tuesday.

Anti-war lawmakers say any Iraq-related legislation that falls short of triggering troop withdrawals is pointless and gives voters the impression there is no sharp division between the two parties.

More moderate Democrats want to pursue proposals to require the administration to rest troops more often and draw up redeployment plans, even if such efforts strike some as more symbolic than substantive.

Democratic leaders tried to narrow the gap with conference calls during the recess, including one Aug. 23 that drew more than 100 House Democrats. Participants said no detailed plan emerged, in part because many lawmakers want to wait for September reports on Iraq from the Government Accountability Office and the Bush administration."
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