The US House of Representatives is about to begin a marathon debate on a resolution opposing President Bush's decision to send extra troops to Iraq.
The US House of Representatives has begun a marathon debate on a resolution opposing President George W Bush's decision to send extra troops to Iraq.
The chamber is under Democratic control and the president's Republican party is likely to lose a vote on the issue.
The chamber is under Democratic control and the president's Republican party is likely to lose a vote on the issue.
But the White House says it will not be swayed by the non-binding resolution.
But the White House says it will not be swayed by the non-binding resolution.
The resolution was introduced on Monday. Three days have been set aside for debate, and Friday is due to be the day a vote is taken.
The resolution was introduced on Monday. Each member will have five minutes to speak and the vote is scheduled for Friday.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, leading Democrat Nancy Pelosi, said increasing the US military presence would not reduce the violence in Iraq.
Democratic Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey told the BBC the resolution opposed Mr Bush's plan to send 21,500 additional troops to Iraq, but supported the troops already committed.
Democratic Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey told the BBC the resolution opposed Mr Bush's plan to send 21,500 additional troops to Iraq, but supported the troops already committed.
"It will be a clean up and down vote on whether or not we support the president's planned escalation...," she said.
"It will be a clean up and down vote on whether or not we support the president's planned escalation...," she said.
Some Republicans 'sceptical'
Some Republicans 'sceptical'
Since the US-led invasion in 2003, more than 3,000 US troops and tens of thousands of Iraqis have been killed.
Since the US-led invasion in 2003, more than 3,000 US troops and tens of thousands of Iraqis have been killed.
Last week, Senate Republicans were able to block debate on a resolution condemning Mr Bush's war policies.
Last week, Senate Republicans were able to block debate on a resolution condemning Mr Bush's war policies.
While a House rebuke to the president would in this case be largely symbolic, reports say the Democrats have firmed up support for the measure by promising to follow it up with binding legislation.
While a House rebuke to the president would in this case be largely symbolic, reports say the Democrats have firmed up support for the measure by promising to follow it up with binding legislation.
Republican House leaders acknowledge that a number of members of the president's party are likely to support the resolution.
Republican House leaders acknowledge that a number of members of the president's party are likely to support the resolution.
"We're going to have Republicans who are sceptical of [Bush's] plan who'll probably vote for this," said House Minority Leader John Boehner.
"We're going to have Republicans who are sceptical of [Bush's] plan who'll probably vote for this," said House Minority Leader John Boehner.
The debate comes after senior Democrats urged the Bush administration to be cautious about accusing Iran of fomenting violence in Iraq.
The debate comes after senior Democrats urged the Bush administration to be cautious about accusing Iran of fomenting violence in Iraq.
They were speaking after US officials in Iraq said they had evidence that Iran was providing weapons to Shia militias who attacked the US military.
They were speaking after US officials in Iraq said they had evidence that Iran was providing weapons to Shia militias who attacked the US military.
What do you make of this debate? Is congress in tune with the American people? What message should they be sending on Iraq?
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