Democrats and Bush Negotiate on War Funding

(AP) - Democrats and Bush to enter next round of negotiations on bill to fund the Iraq war

WASHINGTON (AP) - Congressional Democrats and President Bush's top aides will enter another round of high-stakes negotiations on funding for the Iraq war in what has become an exhaustive test of wills.

The talks are expected to continue for days, as the each side struggles for the upper hand.

"To be successful, we must end the finger-pointing and instead roll up our sleeves and work together. I believe that we can - and we will," said Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va.

At stake is the nearly $90 billion Bush says is needed to pay for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan through September. Earlier this month, Congress sent - and Bush vetoed - a $124.2 billion bill that would have funded the war but ordered troop withdrawals to begin by Oct. 1.

Without enough votes to override Bush's veto, Democrats are laboring to send Bush new legislation by Memorial Day that challenges Bush's Iraq policy but ensures troops have the resources they need.