WASHINGTON -- Congress has voted to send President George W. Bush legislation funding the Iraq war.

Video: Bush Expects Tough Summer

The bill, approved by the House and Senate, does not contain a troop withdrawal deadline.

Democrats coupled their concession to the president with pledges to challenge his policies anew.

"This debate will go on," vowed House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, announcing plans to hold votes by fall on four separate measures seeking a change in course.

House Republican leader John Boehner of Ohio choked back tears as he stirred memories of the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

"After 3,000 of our fellow citizens died at the hands of these terrorists, when are we going to take them on? When are we going to defeat them," he asked.

In a White House news conference earlier in the day, Bush said he supported the legislation.

The bill "reflects a consensus that the Iraqi government needs to show real progress in return for America's continued support and sacrifice," Bush said.

The legislation would help to pay for the president's recent troop buildup designed to secure Baghdad and other volatile areas.

"This summer is going to be a critical time for the new strategy," Bush said.

He said the last five brigades -- about 15,000 troops -- of his buildup are scheduled to arrive in Baghdad next month.

He noted that the legislation contained various goals for Iraqi progress and said "meeting these benchmarks will be difficult; it's going to be hard for this young government."

Bush added that the strategy he is following includes many of the recommendations issued last December by the bipartisan Iraq Study Group headed by former Secretary of State James A. Baker III and former Rep. Lee Hamilton of Indiana -- recommendations at first generally ignored by the administration.

Bush said that "August is going to be a tough month," as the U.S. troop surge comes to full strength. "We expect heavy fighting in the next weeks and months."