US House Votes on Iraq Resolution
By Dan Robinson
Capitol Hill
16 February 2007
The House of Representatives has approved, by a vote of 246 to 182, a non-binding resolution disapproving of President Bush＇s new troop deployment to Iraq. The vote followed four days of debate. VOA＇s Dan Robinson reports, more details, meanwhile, are emerging about majority Democrats＇ plans to place legislative restrictions on President Bush＇s ability to deploy forces to Iraq.
While the House approved the controversial resolution, the Senate Saturday is set to take a procedural vote on the same measure, which disapproves of the president＇s troop plan, but pledges support for those who are serving or have served in Iraq.
John Mutha (Jan 2007)
Meanwhile, Democratic strategies became clearer Friday, as the chairman of a key defense appropriations subcommittee, Democratic Congressman John Murtha, outlined planned conditions regarding troop deployments.
In addition to requiring that troops sent to Iraq be fully prepared, in terms of equipment and training, Murtha would take three other steps.
Soldiers would have to have at least one year at home between combat deployments, and could not have deployments extended beyond one year.
He would also prohibit the Pentagon from using what is called a stop-loss program, in which the Pentagon has extended the enlistments of soldiers.
In an interview with the Web site, MoveCongress.org, Congressman Murtha says the practical effect will be to prevent the president from deploying troops.
He said, "We are trying to force a redeployment, not by taking money away [from the troops] but by re-directing money."
House Republican leaders jumped on the proposals as proof Democrats want to eventually cut off all funding for military operations in Iraq.
Floor speeches reflected the increasingly emotional tone of the debate, as Republican Congressman Steve King accused Democrats of playing into the hands of terrorists.
He said, "If Mr. Murtha and the people who are working with him are successful in a slow bleed of our resources, then what you will see is Osama bin-Laden say, ＇if we keep attacking America they will leave Afghanistan the same way they left Vietnam, Lebanon, Mogadishu and Iraq.＇"
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says the debate reflects that all members of Congress, regardless of party, fully support the troops.
After directing the House to observe a moment of silence for U.S. troops killed in Iraq, she said Democrats intend to force a change in direction.
"The stakes in Iraq are too high to recycle proposals that have little prospect for success," she said. "The bipartisan resolution today may be non-binding, but it will send a strong message [that] we here in Congress are committed to protecting and supporting our troops."
Pelosi says a new direction for Iraq should involve renewed diplomacy, to include Iraq＇s neighbors, sustained steps by Iraq＇s government for political reconciliation, and international cooperation on Iraq＇s reconstruction.
Responding to Congressman Murtha, House Republicans later appeared at a news conference with Senate counterparts to denounce what they call dangerous plans that attempt to micro-manage the military.
House minority leader John Boehner said, "There is no question that the Democrats in the House and Senate intend to tie the president＇s hands when it comes to the conduct of war in Iraq."
Presidential spokesman Tony Snow had this comment during the regular White House briefing.
He said, "Members of Congress are taking their own gamble here. They are gambling on failure. The president has a plan for success, it is all aimed at success."
House approval of the resolution sets up a rare Saturday session of the Senate, where Democrats intend to bring the House measure up for debate, while Senate Republicans maintain that chamber must debate a resolution opposing any funding cutoff.
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