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US Senate votes for Iraq deadline US Senate votes for Iraq deadline
(about 1 hour later)
The US Senate has endorsed a deadline of March next year for the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq.The US Senate has endorsed a deadline of March next year for the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq.
The Senate voted by 50 to 48 to reject a Republican amendment that would have removed the withdrawal clause from a bill on military funding. The Senate narrowly rejected a Republican amendment that would have removed the troop withdrawal clause from a bill on military funding.
The vote is a boost for the Democrats and a setback for US President George W Bush, who has promised to veto the Democrats' bill if it passes. The vote is a boost for the Democrats and a setback for US President George W Bush, who has vowed to veto any bill setting out a timetable for withdrawal.
The House of Representatives also backed withdrawal in a vote last week.The House of Representatives also backed withdrawal in a vote last week.
The House bill, which imposes a 31st August 2008 deadline for troop withdrawal, was passed narrowly by 218 votes to 212 on Friday. The House bill, which imposes a 31 August 2008 deadline for pulling troops out, was passed narrowly by 218 votes to 212 on Friday.
Both pieces of legislation are tied to more than $120bn (£60bn) in emergency funding for US troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.
A final Senate vote on the whole funding bill will take place later this week. It will need the support of a dozen Republicans to pass.A final Senate vote on the whole funding bill will take place later this week. It will need the support of a dozen Republicans to pass.
Both bills seek to provide more than $120bn (£60bn) in funding for US troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. 'Must change course'
Two weeks ago, Senate Democrats failed to pass legislation setting a timetable for withdrawal, but two more senators sided with them this time, giving them a victory by 50 votes to 48.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid called the vote a significant step forward and a pointed message to Mr Bush.
"With this vote, the Senate is giving our troops the resources they need in combat - including a strategy in Iraq worthy of their sacrifices," he said.
"The president must change course, and this legislation gives him a chance to do that," he said.
But there were no concessions from the White House.
Mr Bush "is disappointed that the Senate continues down a path with a bill that he will veto and has no chance of becoming law," his deputy press secretary, Dana Perino, said in a statement.
And a presidential hopeful, Republican John McCain, said that setting a schedule for pulling troops out of Iraq would encourage insurgents.