US house passes Iraq funds with 2008 withdrawal goal

WASHINGTON - Defying President George W Bush's veto threat, the US House of Representatives on Wednesday approved a bill providing about US$100 billion ($136.16 billion) in new war funds while setting a non-binding March 31 goal for withdrawing all American combat troops from Iraq.

By a mostly partisan vote of 218-208, the House approved the legislation. A Senate vote was expected on Thursday.

Bush, who wants the war money, has promised to veto this bill because Democrats included a timetable for withdrawal, which would begin no later than October 1, with the goal of completing it six months later.

- REUTERS