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Friday, May 25, 2007
Pelosi: Bush's Iraq policy to start 'unraveling'

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi voted against the war funding bill

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi predicted Friday that President Bush's policy on Iraq will begin "unraveling" after the passage Thursday night of a $120 billion war-funding bill.

Bush is to sign the bill, without a ceremony, Friday.

Pelosi and other Democratic House leaders also told reporters they were pleased that more than $20 billion in domestic spending, which was unrequested by the White House, was approved as part of the measure.

The projects were Democratic priorities, she said: raising the federal minimum wage $2.10 an hour to $7.25, aiding the survivors of Hurricane Katrina and other Gulf Coast storms, providing health care for veterans and children and giving financial assistance to farmers beset with disasters.

Nearly two-thirds of House Democrats voted against the bill -- which passed 280-142 -- including Pelosi and Rep. David Obey, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.

The Senate passed the bill 80-14 after the House action.

Pelosi said she is unconcerned about the Democratic vote tally.

"This was a bill that said no more funding. And I think yesterday was an important day," she said. "It was a recognition on the part of the Republicans that some accountability had to be in order. I don't think it was enough -- but it was a recognition that the American people were demanding.

"It also ... was the start of a whole new direction in Iraq. I think that the president's policy is going to begin to unravel now."
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