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.
There have been sharp exchanges in the US House of Representatives at the start of a marathon debate on Iraq.
The chamber is under Democratic control and the president's Republican party is likely to lose a vote on the issue.
Legislators will vote on Friday on a non-binding resolution opposing President George W Bush's decision to send extra troops.
But the White House says it will not be swayed by the non-binding resolution.
Democrat House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the US public had lost faith in the president's strategy.
The resolution was introduced on Monday. Each member will have five minutes to speak and the vote is scheduled for Friday.
Republican minority leader John Boehner said attempts to undermine US policy would embolden terrorists worldwide.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, leading Democrat Nancy Pelosi, said increasing the US military presence would not reduce the violence in Iraq.
The resolution was introduced on Monday. Each member will have five minutes to speak ahead of Friday's vote.
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.
This is the first full debate in the House since the Democrats took control of Congress in November.
"It will be a clean up and down vote on whether or not we support the president's planned escalation...," she said.
'Political posturing'
Some Republicans 'sceptical'
At the heart of the debate is the decision by President Bush to send an extra 21,500 US troops to try to restore stability to Iraq.
What we're going to do this week is the first step in your effort to cut off funds for troops in harm's way and leave Iraq in chaos John Boehner,Republican minority leader
Ms Pelosi said the US commitment in Iraq had "no end in sight" and there should be "no more blank cheques".
"The American people have lost faith in President Bush's course of action in Iraq and they are demanding a new direction," she said.
Iraq war veteran, Democrat Patrick Murphy, said: "Three years after I left Iraq, Americans are still running convoys up and down Ambush Alley and securing Iraqi street corners."
But Republicans stoutly defended the new Bush strategy.
Ted Poe, of Texas, said the debate was "political posturing of the worst kind".
Mr Boehner accused the Democrats of trying to "cut off funds for troops in harm's way and leave Iraq in chaos".
Democratic majority leader Steny Hoyer said there would be "no defunding".
At the White House, spokesman Tony Snow said: "We do expect those who say they're going to support the troops to support them."
The resolution states that the House "will continue to support and protect" troops in Iraq but that it "disapproves" of the troop increase.
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.
What do you make of this debate? Is Congress in tune with the American people? What message should it be sending on Iraq?
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.
"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.
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?
The BBC World Service radio programme World Have Your Say will be discussing this topic at 1800GMT and using comments left here during the show. As a result comments will not appear on this page.
The BBC World Service radio programme World Have Your Say will be discussing this topic at 1800GMT and using comments left here during the show. As a result comments will not appear on this page.
