U.S. Democrats Call for Iraq Pullout By Fall 2008

House Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey (Democrat, Wisconsin) said the proposal would bring an "orderly and responsible close" to U.S. participation in Iraq's internal conflict.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Democrat, California) said she hopes the bill is approved next week by the House Appropriations Committee as part of a $100 billion bill to continue funding the U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. If so, the full House would debate the measure the following week.

Under the plan, if progress toward ending violence in Iraq was not certified by U.S. President George W. Bush, U.S. troop withdrawals would begin even sooner.

Bush is against setting a timetable for U.S. withdrawal from Iraq.

(AP, Reuters)