While Our Troops Do Their Jobs...

... The Do-Nothing Democrat Congress Dithers on Theirs.

The Washington Post: “The Iraqi Upturn. … While Washington's attention has been fixed elsewhere, military analysts have watched with astonishment as the Iraqi government and army have gained control for the first time of the port city of Basra and the sprawling Baghdad neighborhood of Sadr City, routing the Shiite militias that have ruled them for years and sending key militants scurrying to Iran.” (Editorial, 6/1/08) Reuters: “U.S. troop deaths in Iraq fell to their lowest level last month since the 2003 invasion and officials said on Sunday improved security also helped the country boost oil production in May to a post-war high.” (6/1/08) Los Angeles Times: “In Iraq, month ends with lowest U.S. death toll yet … The number of Iraqi civilian deaths also fell last month … The drop in casualties comes at a time when American and Iraqi officials are claiming major gains against the Sunni Muslim militant group Al Qaeda in Iraq, and a truce has curbed fighting with Shiite extremists.” (6/1/08) Fox News: “CIA Director Michael Hayden says Al Qaeda is on the ‘verge’ of suffering a strategic defeat in Iraq, claiming U.S. and Iraqi forces are succeeding in shutting down the terrorist network.” (5/30/08) USA Today: “Attacks are down 70% since President Bush ordered a U.S. troop increase, or ‘surge,’ early last year.” (5/29/08)

CongressDaily: “House Democratic leaders want another crack at approving a Senate-approved Iraq war supplemental spending package … but no definite schedule has been decided…” (6/2/08) Roll Call: “Adm. Michael Mullen, the nation’s top military officer, has a warning for Congressional leaders wrestling with the time frame for passing a massive war spending bill: The Pentagon is dangerously close to running out of money.” (5/5/08) The Hill: “Pentagon asks Congress for authority to transfer funds for war … The so-called reprogramming request is necessary because a new war supplemental funding bill is still pending in Congress, the Department of Defense stated. … Without the ability to transfer these funds, the Army will run out of military personnel funds necessary to pay its soldiers by June 15, according to the Pentagon. In order to avoid that, Congress would have to approve the reprogramming requests by June 9, according to the Pentagon.” (5/28/08) Roll Call: “Time is working against the Democrats, as furlough notices will start going out to civilian Defense employees within weeks, ratcheting up the pressure for a deal.” (6/2/08) The Politico: “Pentagon threatens layoffs over stalled Iraq money.” (5/16/08)