Still reeling from Iraq vote, Democrats want to go on record opposing military action in Iran

[Purveyor]

WASHINGTON – Still reeling from the fallout of authorizing the Iraq war five years ago, congressional Democrats are determined to put themselves early on record as opposing military action in Iran.

In recent days, many Democrats have gone to great lengths to denounce President Bush's strategy on Iran, including his decision to label Tehran's Quds military force as a terrorist group and his statement that a nuclear-armed Iran could lead to “World War III.”

Democrats also are jumping on Bush's latest war spending request as proof that the White House is considering airstrikes on Iran's underground uranium enrichment facilities. Bush wants $88 million to continue developing a “bunker-busting” bomb designed to destroy deeply buried targets such as those in Iran.
And in case there were doubts about the Democrats' position, Senate Majority Whip Richard Durbin introduced legislation Thursday that would require Bush to seek Congress' blessing before taking any military action in Iran.

Standing behind him are liberal anti-war groups, which have expanded their focus on Iraq to include a drumbeat of protests against a potential war with neighboring Iran.

“Every day now, it seems that the confrontational rhetoric between the United States and Iran escalates,” said Sen. Robert Byrd, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

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