Lawmakers draft anti-Bush Iraq resolution

Biden hints at ‘modest changes’
Biden, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said his panel will debate the measure on Jan. 24, the day following Bush’s State of the Union address. A swift committee review would pave the way for debate on the floor as early as that week, although Democrats say it is likely Republicans on the committee will want to make changes.

Biden said “modest changes” to the bill might be used “to attract those who share our view but may not like our specific language.”

The resolution backed by Biden and the others could help Democrats measure GOP support for more aggressive legislative tactics, such as cutting off funds for the war.

“Just how serious this resolution is, although it’s not binding, is reflected by the fact that the Republican leader in the Senate has threatened to filibuster it,” said Levin.

Many Democrats want to go much further and are expected to try to amend the resolution on the floor. Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., said he wants legislation capping the number of troops in Iraq at existing levels — a plan that attracted support from Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., who has his own bill threatening funding of troops.

Sen. Clinton weighs in
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., on Wednesday introduced legislation similar to Dodd’s proposal.

“I do not support cutting funding for American troops but I do support cutting funding for Iraqi forces if the Iraqi government does not meet set conditions,” Clinton told reporters after returning from a trip to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Dodd and Clinton are among several Democrats with 2008 presidential aspirations.

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