United States Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (right) speaks during a news conference with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Iraq war veterans after the Senate voted on the Emergency Supplemental bill on Capitol Hill in Washington yesterday. - Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters):

In an unprecedented slap at President George W. Bush's war policy, the U.S. Congress yesterday approved legislation that links withdrawal of combat troops to paying for the war, ensuring a certain veto.

Nonetheless, by a vote of 51-46, the Senate joined the House of Representatives in backing the hotly contested bill that would provide about $100 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan this year, while setting a deadline to withdraw U.S. forces over the next 11 months.

Call for new direction

It was the first time the Congress, controlled by Democrats since January, defied the president in more than four years since the conflict began.

Bush has repeatedly warned he will not accept "surrender" dates for the war and there is little doubt he will reject the bill when it is sent to him next week.

"The troops had the courage and the strength to win the war, but the president has not had the wisdom to win the peace," said Democratic Sen. Robert Byrd of West Virginia, who called for a "new direction in Iraq."