Dana Bash: Well, from what we just heard from Democrats right after this meeting this morning with the White House, they are anywhere but at a compromise on how to fund the war. In fact, Democratic leaders, the House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, just had a press conference, and they essentially said that they are going to now write this bill on their own, because, what they said is that the White House is simply not allowing them to hold the President accountable. Listen to what the House Speaker said...

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Nancy Pelosi: ...Clear that the difference between the Democrats and the President is the issue of accountability. He will not accept any accountability or responsibility for what is happening there.

Dana Bash: Now, what the Democratic Leaders said after this first real meeting with the House leaders, the Senate leaders, and the White House about how to fund the war is essentially that they tried to offer the White House some compromises like, for example, the Democrats, as you know, Fredricka, want to put a timeline for withdrawal on the troops. They said they offered the President a waiver for that and that the White House rejected it. What Democrats said is that they also offered the President another carrot, if you will, and that is to cut off some of the -- what the White House called extraneous domestic spending on this emergency bill. They said the White House rejected that too. So you heard the word "disappointed" several times from these Democratic leaders

The Gavel: Dear Mr. President,

We are writing to urge you to reconsider your objections to H.R. 1585, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008.

Your office’s recent Statement of Administration Policy on H.R. 1585 raised several concerns regarding this bipartisan legislation that the House of Representatives passed yesterday by an overwhelming 397-27 margin.

Mr. President, you have consistently called on Congress and the American people to support our troops. Considering the sacrifices that our military families make, the Democratic proposal to provide the troops with the pay raise they deserve and an increase in benefits for the spouses they may leave behind is one small way that we can support our troops.

When it comes to supporting our troops, our actions must match our words. Please join us in supporting our troops by reconsidering both your veto threat to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008, and your objections to an increase in military pay and survivor benefits for the brave men and women serving our country in the armed forces.

Respectfully,

Nancy Pelosi
Speaker of the House

Steny Hoyer
Majority Leader

James E. Clyburn
Majority Whip

Rahm Emanuel
Chair, Democratic Caucus

Ike Skelton
Chair, House Armed Services Committee

Ellen Tauscher
Chair, Strategic Forces Subcommittee

Steve Israel