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US House rejects Bush Iraq plan US House rejects Bush Iraq plan
(about 1 hour later)
The US House of Representatives has voted in favour of a resolution criticising President George W Bush's decision to send extra troops to Iraq.The US House of Representatives has voted in favour of a resolution criticising President George W Bush's decision to send extra troops to Iraq.
More than a dozen of his Republican Party joined the Democrats in passing the non-binding motion 246 to 182. Seventeen of his Republican Party joined the Democrats in passing the non-binding motion 246 to 182.
The vote follows days of fierce debate, during which the Democrats have made it clear that more decisive steps to limit Mr Bush's war policy could follow.The vote follows days of fierce debate, during which the Democrats have made it clear that more decisive steps to limit Mr Bush's war policy could follow.
The Senate is due to vote on the troop plan in an unusual Saturday session. The Senate is due to vote on Saturday on whether to debate the troop plan.
This country needs a dramatic change of course in Iraq and it is the responsibility of this Congress to consummate that change Democrat John Murtha Debate in quotes Text of resolution Previous Senate attempts to debate the anti-troop surge resolution have been met with delaying tactics from Republican members.This country needs a dramatic change of course in Iraq and it is the responsibility of this Congress to consummate that change Democrat John Murtha Debate in quotes Text of resolution Previous Senate attempts to debate the anti-troop surge resolution have been met with delaying tactics from Republican members.
If Saturday's Senate vote goes ahead, Mr Bush faces the possibility that both chambers of Congress will repudiate his Iraq policy within two days, says the BBC's Justin Webb in Washington. If senators do vote to consider the resolution in their unusual Saturday session, Mr Bush faces the possibility that both chambers of Congress will repudiate his Iraq policy within two days, says the BBC's Justin Webb in Washington.
Although both the Congressional resolutions are non-binding, the president needs the legislators to support his $93bn (£48bn) emergency troop funding measure.Although both the Congressional resolutions are non-binding, the president needs the legislators to support his $93bn (£48bn) emergency troop funding measure.
'Spiral toward defeat' 'Tragic goal'
The House vote brought to a close the first full debate there since the Democrats took control of Congress in November.The House vote brought to a close the first full debate there since the Democrats took control of Congress in November.
Written by the Democrats, the resolution states that the House "will continue to support and protect" US soldiers in Iraq but that it "disapproves" of the 21,500-strong troop increase.Written by the Democrats, the resolution states that the House "will continue to support and protect" US soldiers in Iraq but that it "disapproves" of the 21,500-strong troop increase.
The passage of this legislation will signal a change in direction in Iraq that will end the fighting and bring our troops home safely and soon Speaker Nancy Pelosi About 400 of 434 representatives in the House spoke during four days of debate. The bipartisan resolution today may be non-binding. But it will send a strong message to the president Speaker Nancy Pelosi About 400 of 434 representatives in the House spoke during four days of debate.
Speaking shortly before the vote, House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi urged the lawmakers to back the resolution. Speaking after the vote, House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi said it would send an unmistakable signal to the White House.
"The passage of this legislation will signal a change in direction in Iraq that will end the fighting and bring our troops home safely and soon," she said. "The president's escalation plan repeats past mistakes. The stakes in Iraq are too high to recycle proposals that have little prospect for success.
"Our troops are working together to secure our nation and we in this House must work together to secure our nation as well, and to do so in a way that honours their sacrifice." "The bipartisan resolution today may be non-binding. But it will send a strong message to the president - we here in Congress are committed to protecting and supporting our troops."
Republican Roy Blunt countered with a warning that the Democrats' "slow-bleed approach" would hurt US troops fighting overseas. House Minority Leader John Boehner had urged lawmakers to vote against the motion, saying it was "the first step towards a tragic, unthinkable goal".
"This non-binding resolution is the first step in an all-too-binding spiral toward defeat in a fight that we cannot afford to lose," he said. "We face a sophisticated, determined enemy who wants to annihilate our way of life," he said.
"We have a duty to stand and fight against those that seek to destroy America and the freedom that defines us."
'No blank cheques'
Mr Bush, who hopes the "surge" will restore stability in Iraq, said on Thursday that he expected Congress to live up to its promise to support the nation's troops.Mr Bush, who hopes the "surge" will restore stability in Iraq, said on Thursday that he expected Congress to live up to its promise to support the nation's troops.
"Republicans and Democrats have a responsibility to give our troops the resources they need," he said."Republicans and Democrats have a responsibility to give our troops the resources they need," he said.
Course change White House officials said Mr Bush had been too busy to watch Friday's vote.
After it was passed, the president pointed out that it was non-binding and his spokesman warned the Democrats not to try to block war spending.
Speaking during the debate, Ms Pelosi said there should be "no more blank cheques".Speaking during the debate, Ms Pelosi said there should be "no more blank cheques".
Fellow Democrat John Murtha told the House: "This country needs a dramatic change of course in Iraq and it is the responsibility of this Congress to consummate that change." Fellow Democrat John Murtha, who heads a House panel that oversees military spending, is drawing up legislation that would set strict conditions on training and rest periods for soldiers, making it almost impossible for Mr Bush to deploy increased numbers of troops.
Mr Murtha, who heads a House panel that oversees military spending, is drawing up legislation that would set strict conditions on training and rest periods for troops, making it almost impossible for Mr Bush to deploy the number of troops he wants to.
Republican House Minority Leader John Boehner criticised the Democrats' attempts to derail Mr Bush's plans.
"While American troops are fighting radical Islamic terrorists thousands of miles away, it is unthinkable that the United States Congress would move to discredit their mission, cut off their reinforcements and deny them the resources they need to succeed and return home safely," he said.