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Rebuke, delay are bywords of House debate

By WES ALLISON
Published February 9, 2007

WASHINGTON - With the Senate in knots, and with their own ranks eager to rebuke the president's plans for Iraq, Democratic leaders in the U.S. House will consider a resolution next week condemning the troop surge while taking separate actions to use the power of the purse to influence the course of the war.

This two-pronged approach, which House leaders outlined Thursday, delays the most contentious question facing Congress about the war - whether to continue paying for it. And it averts what would surely be a nasty fight between liberal Democrats who want to strangle the war by withholding or redirecting funding and moderates who find that route unwise.

It also likely guarantees passage of a nonbinding resolution expressing support for U.S. troops while condemning the president's plan to send 21,500 more combat troops to Iraq.

The House Republican leader called it a "meaningless political stunt," but didn't challenge the Democrats' assertion that many Republicans will likely vote for it.

Democrats have scheduled three days for the debate, with a vote expected Thursday. Each of the 435 House members will get 5 minutes to speak.

"The American people will have their representatives for three days articulate their view on how we ought to proceed" in Iraq, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., said after Democrats met Thursday morning to discuss the resolution. A final version won't be ready until Monday.

"That is important, I think, for the president to hear. It's important for the country to hear, and we will assure that is done."

Antiwar Democrats were emboldened by the fall elections that gave their party control of Congress, and polls show continued dissatisfaction with the war. No longer content simply to criticize, many say they should use their new role to counter the president's policy.

Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., a leading war opponent who heads the defense appropriations subcommittee, said he plans to use the administration's latest request for war funding to influence strategy, troop strength and military priorities.

For example, Murtha said, funding could be manipulated to close the military prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where accused terrorists have been held indefinitely; to limit overall troop levels in Iraq; and to require that troops be properly trained and equipped before being shipped overseas.

"We've got some specifics that we can do to change the course of the war," Murtha said.

Rep. C.W. Bill Young, R-Indian Shores, said he has no problem with holding a debate on a resolution critical of the troop surge, but he was wary of legislative efforts to micromanage the war.

"I don't believe Congress can effectively manage a battle," Young said.

Republicans will not be allowed to amend the resolution, but they can offer a substitute. Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, said Republicans were considering two: One would specifically bar funding cuts for troops already serving in Iraq or Afghanistan, while the other would establish a bipartisan panel to oversee the president's strategy and set benchmarks for the Iraqi government.

"Fleeing Iraq doesn't mean the war's going to end. We're still going to have these global jihadists intent on killing Americans and our allies," Boehner said.

House leaders had expected the U.S. Senate to pass a resolution against the troop build-up this week, but Senate Republicans halted the measure over procedural concerns, and negotiations have stalled.

House Democrats say they didn't want to leave for Presidents Day recess next weekend without a vote, and their leaders were under pressure to act.

"The American people are way out beyond the Congress," said Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Tampa. "It's important for us to go on record."

Meanwhile, several senators from both parties said that the House debate will increase public pressure on the Senate to act before the weeklong recess.

"The House of Representatives is preparing to debate, and the Senate is dithering. It marginalizes the U.S. Senate as an institution," said Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, who supports a resolution critical of the troop surge.

Washington bureau chief Bill Adair contributed to this report. Wes Allison can be reached at allison@sptimes.com or 202463-0577.

[Last modified February 9, 2007, 00:13:44]