US Senate votes not to debate Iraq proposal

Washington, Feb 6: A bipartisan resolution repudiating President George W. Bush's decision to send 21,500 more troops to Iraq failed to advance in the US Senate dealing a serious setback to critics of the war.

The resolution yesterday needed 60 votes before the 100-member Senate could begin debate, but it got 49, with 47 voting against.

Although it would not have been binding on the president, the measure was the first serious effort in Congress to confront Bush over the unpopular Iraq war.

The proposal, sponsored by Virginia Republican John Warner and Michigan Democrat Carl Levin, fell victim to partisan wrangling over the limits and terms of the Iraq war debate. The measure could still be revived, but the way ahead was unclear.

Opponents said the resolution was a thinly disguised political slap at Bush that would dishearten US troops and signal American disunity.

It does not force Bush to abandon his plan and the president has said he will not be swayed by a nonbinding resolution.

Supporters say the measure would be a first step, a warning to Bush that he must revamp his strategy to start moving toward a withdrawal of the 138,000 US troops currently in Iraq.

Reuters