WP: House Democrats Unveil Resolution Opposing Iraq Plans

[DeepModem Mom]

House Democrats Unveil Resolution Opposing Iraq Plans
By Jonathan Weisman and Lyndsey Layton
Washington Post Staff Writers
Monday, February 12, 2007

House Democrats today unveiled a tightly worded resolution of opposition to President Bush's Iraq war plans, declaring that Congress "disapproves of the decision" to deploy more than 20,000 additional U.S. combat troops to Iraq.

The simple resolution, just 10 lines in length, will frame three days of debate on the war, beginning tomorrow and culminating in a vote on Friday that is likely to put the House formally on record against the president.

After the Senate found itself tied in parliamentary knots last week over a far more complicated resolution, House leaders opted for the simplest statement possible, hoping to unite Democrats and drive a wedge between Capitol Hill Republicans and a White House that has commanded their strict allegiance for more than six years....

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Republicans were expected to try to broaden the dispute and seed doubt in the Democratic approach. Although Senate Republicans were able to block debate on a resolution condemning Bush's war policies last week, it will be much easier for Democrats in the House to bring a measure to the floor....

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House Republicans say as few as 20 or as many as 60 Republicans could vote with the Democrats, regardless of the wishes of the Republican leadership and the White House.

"Every time I go to another funeral, every time I go to Walter Reed, people are really gracious, but what do you say? What are we doing over there now?" asked Rep. Wayne T. Gilchrest (R-Md.), whose Eastern Shore district has lost 23 service members in the war....

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/12/AR2007021200571.html

[Judi Lynn]

1. House Democrats unveil Iraq resolution that would rebuke Bush

House Democrats unveil Iraq resolution that would rebuke Bush
The Associated Press
Published: February 12, 2007

WASHINGTON: Democrats in the House of Representatives' proposed resolution to oppose President George W. Bush's troop increase in Iraq sets up a likely rebuke in a political landscape turned upside-down since Congress' overwhelming 2002 endorsement of force against Iraq's then dictator, President Saddam Hussein.

Lawmakers are expected to vote on a resolution by week's end to oppose Bush's decision to send 21,500 more troops to Iraq. The measure states simply that the House "will continue to support and protect" troops serving in Iraq but "disapproves" of the troop buildup.

Debate was to begin Tuesday, and the House vote will mark its first on the war since Democrats won control in the November elections. While the measure is not binding and would have no affect the financing of the war, passage would be an embarrassing rejection of Bush's Iraq war policy and could force many Republicans to choose between backing the president or criticizing a deeply unpopular war.

"What the American people want to know is: Does their member of Congress support the president's proposed escalation or do they not?" said House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer
(snip/...)

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/02/13/america/NA-GEN-US-Iraq.php

[goclark]

2. Please let TRUTH speak for a change nt