Senate Passes Troop Pullout Bill Move sets stage for second veto of Bush's presidency By J. Kelman Posted Apr 26, 2007 2:09 PM CDT Copied Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, gestures during a news conference at the Pentagon, Thursday, April 26, 2007. (AP Photo/Heesoon Yim) (Associated Press) The Senate approved the Iraq funding bill 51-46 early this afternoon, conferring its expected stamp of approval on an October troop pullout. But the vote fell short of the two-thirds majority needed to avoid a promised veto. Democrats are already ruminating on post-veto counter-proposals, including replacing the rigid timetable with benchmarks. Bush has repeatedly goaded Dems to leave military decisions up to the generals. But Gen. David Petraeus, who said yesterday that he needed more time to gage the success of the surge in Iraq, offered a more equivocal message at a Pentagon briefing this morning, calling the situation in Iraq “exceedingly complex and very tough.” Read These Next Defense officials react to Hegseth's Quantico meeting. Government shutdown is here. Here's what to expect. Colorado wants to give 'peace of mind' on Hunter S. Thompson. President asks nation's top generals to loosen up. Report an error