CONCORD, N.H. (AP) – House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer already is talking with key Republicans in Congress about striking a new agreement if President Bush follows through on his promised veto of an Iraq war spending bill that includes timelines for withdrawing U.S. troops.

During a visit to New Hampshire on Sunday, Hoyer said he had little hope that the president will sign the measure, and doubts Democrats could muster the votes to override a veto.

Speaking to reporters with U.S. Rep. Paul Hodes, D-N.H., Hoyer insisted, however, that any new measure hold the Iraqi government accountable for taking over its national security and quelling sectarian violence.

“If there are no consequences, then the government has no incentive to follow those objectives,” Hoyer said.

Hoyer said he has already spoken with House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) and Minority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) about potential solutions after a veto.

“The bottom line is, this administration has put the United States in a position where there are no good options,” Hoyer said.

Hoyer said one option would require that the White House file monthly progress reports to Congress on the war. Neither Hoyer nor Hodes would specify what binding options on Iraq they would insist upon in a new bill, but they said allowing the war to continue its current course would amount to giving the president a blank check.

“For us, all options are on the table,” Hodes said. He added that Congress’s support of timelines reflects the will of American voters, who handed control of Congress to Democrats in November elections.

Hoyer said U.S. troops are mired in a civil war, and that the administration has not produced a clear, achievable strategy for success.