House Of Representatives Votes Against Troop Increase

In A Symbolic Vote, House of Representatives Expresses No Confidence In Iraq Policy

House OKs Measure Opposing Troop Surge

Saturday February 17, 2007
By DAVID ESPO

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Democratic-controlled House issued a symbolic rejection of President Bush's decision to deploy more troops to Iraq on Friday, opening an epic confrontation between Congress and commander in chief over an unpopular war that has taken the lives of more than 3,100 U.S. troops.

The vote on the nonbinding measure was 246-182, and within minutes, Democrats said their next move would be to challenge Bush's request for $93 billion in new funds for the Pentagon.

``The stakes in Iraq are too high to recycle proposals that have little prospect for success,'' said Speaker Nancy Pelosi, leader of Democrats who gained power last fall in elections framed by public opposition to the war.

``The passage of this legislation will signal a change in direction in Iraq that will end the fighting and bring our troops home,'' she vowed after the vote, in which 17 Republicans joined 229 Democrats in a wartime rebuke to the president.

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It appears that several Democrats are interested in eventually cutting off funding for the War (or just the troop increase). Either way, this would probably be a mistake, at least at this point. See my previous comments to understand why.

Amy Goodman speaks to members of Congress, including John Conyers, regarding the situation in Iraq and the issue of cutting off funds. Listen/Watch here.

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Results from a Recent Associated Press Poll

While the poll shows that most Americans were not in favor of sending more troops to Iraq, the same poll also indicates that most Americans ARE NOT in favor of cutting funding for the war (the troop increase OR the war in general).

Associated Press-Ipsos poll. Feb. 12-15, 2007. N=1,002 adults nationwide. MoE ± 3.1.

"Would you favor or oppose sending more troops to Iraq?"

2/12-15/07

Favor= 35%
Oppose= 63%
Unsure= 2%


"Would you favor or oppose Congress cutting all funding for the Iraq war?"

2/12-15/07

Favor= 29%
Oppose= 68%
Oppose= 3%


"Would you favor or oppose Congress cutting funding for the additional troops President Bush wants to send to Iraq?"

2/12-15/07

Favor= 38%
Oppose= 60%
Unsure= 2%