Senate attaches domestic programs to Iraq bill

Democrats pulled off a major victory Thursday, attaching billions of dollars in domestic programs to a must-pass Iraq funding bill.

{mosads}The 75-22 vote means the measure has more than enough support to override a veto, which requires a two-thirds Senate majority. The bill includes a 13-week extension of unemployment benefits, a delay of controversial Medicaid rules and a major expansion of educational benefits under the so-called GI bill.

Democratic presidential candidates Sens. Barack Obama (Ill.) and Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.) returned to vote for the measure, but presumptive GOP nominee Sen. John McCain (Ariz.) missed the vote.

McCain and President Bush had called on Congress to keep the $165 billion for Iraq and Afghanistan free of domestic add-ons.