Updated at 11:40 a.m., Friday, February 16, 2007
Bush's Iraq policy condemned in House vote
Associated Press
WASHINGTON — The Democratic-controlled House symbolically rejected President Bush's plan to deploy more troops to Iraq today, by voting in favor of a measure critical of his Iraq policy.The vote on the nonbinding measure was 246-182 and opens an epic confrontation between Congress and the commander in chief over an unpopular war that has taken the lives of more than 3,100 U.S. troops. Hawai'i Reps. Neil Abercrombie and Mazie Hirono, both Democrats, joined the majority.
WHERE THE MEASURE GOES NEXT
The passage sets the stage for a test vote tomorrow in the Senate, where Republicans have said they intend to block consideration of the measure unless Democrats grant equal treatment to an alternative measure that opposes cutting funds for the troops.
"I will do everything in my power to ensure the House resolution dies an inglorious death in the Senate," said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.
ABOUT THE MEASURE
The House measure criticizes Bush's decision to deploy an additional 21,500 troops to Iraq, and commits Congress to "support and protect" the troops.
PUBLIC WEARINESS GROWS OVER THE WAR
More than half of those surveyed say the Iraq war is a hopeless cause, according to an AP-Ipsos poll released today. A total of 38 percent wants to cut money for the additional troops that Bush is sending to Iraq, and 29 percent want to cut off all funding for the war.
