In a conference call with reporters today, Congressman Tim Walz, D-Minn., said there has been no sense of cooperation from President Bush on Iraq policy.

Walz started the call with veterans issues, especially concerning the Veterans Administration’s treatment standards and bonuses being handed to its top administrators.  The  representative from Mankato moved on quickly to the Iraq war and the supplemental funding measure being debated today in the House.

Walz called the House measure “the right way to go” and decried an Iraqi parliament that plans to take a months-long recess.  He also mentioned a change in mindset occurring among House moderates, including Jim Ramstad of Minnesota’s 3rd District, some of whom recently visited the White House to air their Iraq policy grievances directly to Bush.  However, Walz indicated, there has been no sense of cooperation from the president on the issue of drawing down the U.S. military presence in Iraq.

Persistent rumors indicate that procedural moves will allow the Republican minority in the House to obtain more funding for, and fewer restrictions on,  President Bush and the Pentagon than Democratic leaders are willing to accept.