Congressional Democrats, still smarting from their perceived capitulation in May to President Bush on ending the war on Iraq, are serving notice that their next stand will come during the debate next month on H.R. 1585, the half-a-trillion-dollar Defense Department FY 2008 reauthorization bill. According to Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), chair of the Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) H.R. 1585 will feature "timelines, parameters, accountability, and a pathway" to remove U.S. fighting men and women from Iraq.

Yesterday, the House approved a $27.6 Interior-Environment appropriations bill. Meanwhile, the White House shakes its fist at Congress threatening to veto the Interior-Environment bill, because the bill would breach the $933 billion discretionary spending cap requested by the president. (click to enlarge)

Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-IL) is leading a charge to cut funding for the Office of Vice President, in response to arguments the OVP has made that it isn't subject to disclosure requirements that apply to the executive branch. Emmanuel's amendment is such that unless the OVP complies with the requirements, it will lose the funding it gets in the appropriations bill that funds the President's administration, and will only get funding through the appropriations bill that funds legislative branch activities.