The White House threatened on Wednesday to veto a proposed House bill that would pay for the Iraq war only through July – a limit Defense Secretary Robert Gates said would be disastrous.

The warnings came as Gates also told reporters that his evaluation of force levels in Iraq in September will not lead to a rapid troop withdrawal, and that at least some U.S. forces are likely to be in Iraq for a protracted period of time.

He said he didn’t know if it will take 25,000 troops or another number, but it would probably include intelligence officers, logistical support and air power.