There have been sharp exchanges in the US House of Representatives at the start of a marathon debate on Iraq.
There have been sharp exchanges in the US House of Representatives at the start of a marathon debate on Iraq.
Legislators will vote on Friday on a non-binding resolution opposing President George W Bush's decision to send extra troops.
Legislators will vote on Friday on a non-binding resolution opposing President George W Bush's decision to send extra troops.
Democrat House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the US public had lost faith in the president's strategy.
Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the US public had lost faith in the president's strategy.
Republican minority leader John Boehner said attempts to undermine US policy would embolden terrorists worldwide.
Republican minority leader John Boehner said attempts to undermine US policy would embolden terrorists worldwide.
The resolution was introduced on Monday. Each member will have five minutes to speak ahead of Friday's vote.
The resolution was introduced on Monday. Each member will have five minutes to speak ahead of Friday's vote.
This is the first full debate in the House since the Democrats took control of Congress in November.
This is the first full debate in the House since the Democrats took control of Congress in November.
'Political posturing'
'Political posturing'
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.
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
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".
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.
"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."
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.
But Republicans stoutly defended the new Bush strategy.
Ted Poe, of Texas, said the debate was "political posturing of the worst kind".
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".
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".
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."
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.
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.
What do you make of this debate? Is Congress in tune with the American people? What message should it be sending on Iraq?
What do you make of this debate? Is Congress in tune with the American people? What message should it 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.
