Highest Anti-War Tally Yet in US House

Highest Anti-War Tally Yet in US House

Thursday the U.S. House approved the Responsible Redeployment From Iraq Act, setting an April 1, 2008 deadline for withdrawing combat troops from Iraq. The measure allows for a continued "limited presence" in Iraq. It now moves to the Senate where, if passed, it faces a certain veto. But the 223-201 vote is the highest tally yet for any peace measure in the house.

Iowans voted on party lines. Leonard Boswell had opposed most Democrats and joined most Republicans on the last major war vote, a failed May 23 vote to deauthorize the war. First term Iowa Democrats Dave Loebsack and Bruce Braley were among 43 cosponsors.

"It doesn't go as far as I would like, but it's an important first step," Loebsack told Gannett News Service. "If I had my way, we would begin to remove our troops tomorrow.

"My goal was to have everyone out in a year," he said. "I have concerns about this bill obviously because it says that an unspecified number of troops may be allowed to stay. I have a real concern about how President Bush would interpret that should this become law."

Ten Democrats opposed the measure. Nine of them are war supporters. Only Dennis Kucinich voted from the Not Another Penny perspective. Four Republicans backed the bill.

Eight House members missed the vote, including Republican presidential candidates Tom Tancredo and Ron Paul.