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11/19/2005:

"Congress Helps Self to $3,100 Pay Raise"

WASHINGTON -- The Republican-controlled Congress helped itself to a $3,100 pay raise on Friday, then postponed work on bills to curb spending on social programs and cut taxes in favor of a two-week vacation.

In the final hours of a tumultuous week in the Capitol, Democrats erupted in fury when House GOP leaders maneuvered toward a politically-charged vote _ and swift rejection _ of one war critic's call for the withdrawal of troops from Iraq. "You guys are pathetic, pathetic," Massachusetts Rep. Martin Meehan yelled across a noisy hall at Republicans.
washingtonpost.com

Bush under fire as Iraq opens bitter feud
The venomous exchanges yesterday were provoked by the demand of John Murtha, the vastly experienced Pennsylvania Democratic Congressman and decorated Vietnam veteran, for an immediate withdrawal of the 160,000 US soldiers in Iraq, ending what he termed "a flawed policy wrapped in an illusion". His call, coming from one of the most hawkish Democrats in the House and an expert on military matters, created a sensation here. In a blistering response, Denis Hastert, the Republican speaker of the House, accused Mr Murtha of giving comfort to the enemy.

"They would prefer that America surrender to the terrorists," he charged, saying they had delivered "the highest insult" to American troops on duty abroad. That comment came after a stinging attack by Vice-President Dick Cheney on war critics, whose behaviour Mr Cheney labelled "dishonest and reprehensible". For Mr Murtha - a former marine and a long-time supporter of high Pentagon spending and a strong military - that was too much. He lashed back at "people with five deferments" - a reference to Mr Cheney, who never served in Vietnam after having his draft deferred five times, but led the US to war in 2003.

"I like guys who got five deferments and never been there, and send people to war and then don't like to hear what needs to be done," the Pennsylvania Congressman said.

Later Scott McClellan, the White House spokesman, likened Mr Murtha to Moore, author and arch Bush critic who directed the ferociously critical filmFahrenheit 9/11. A comparison between the stolid, grizzled 73-year-old war veteran and the pacifist and polemicist film-maker strains credulity. But the fact it was made shows how ferocious the debate has become.