Negotiations on Iraq bill hit a snag

The negotiations between Democratic leaders and the White House over an Iraq spending bill hit a major road bump Friday after the administration’s negotiators turned down what Democrats called significant concessions on their part. 

Democrats said they offered to strip billions of dollars in non-military spending from the bill and indicated that they would accept giving the president the option to waive any withdrawal deadlines. But those offers to compromise were rejected, Democrats said. 

{mosads}House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio), however, said he was shocked that Democrats insisted on keeping a withdrawal timeline in the bill. 

The only consensus appeared to be that the latest meeting between congressional leaders and White House negotiators was a disappointment. 

“We said, ‘We want the president to have accountability. We do not want anything to take away from that fact. So if you want to do away with all domestic discretionary spending, we will take in exchange for that in a split second accountability for the president of what's going on in Iraq,’” Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) told reporters following the meeting. 

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) added: “It is clear that the difference between the Democrats and the president is the issue of accountability. He will not accept any accountability or responsibility for what is happening there.” 

Republicans had a different take on the meeting. 

“Timelines for withdrawal are just not the right way to go, and that cannot be the basis for funding our troops,” White House Chief of Staff Joshua Bolten said. He added that the administration is willing to “pursue options that involve benchmarks and accountability,” but stated that the Democratic offer falls short.