Debate over the Iraq War is growing on Capitol Hill. On Wednesday, several lawmakers announced measures denouncing the Bush administration’s plan to send 21,000 more troops. In the House, Democratic Congressmembers Barbara Lee, Lynn Woolsey and Maxine Waters of California introduced a bill calling for a full U.S. withdrawal within six months and a ban on permanent U.S. military bases in Iraq. In the Senate, Democratic Senator Christopher Dodd introduced a plan that would require new congressional authorization for the war. Meanwhile, four senators — Republicans Chuck Hagel and Olympia Snowe and Democrats Carl Levin and Joseph Biden — introduced a bipartisan resolution saying the Iraq War is harming national interests. Biden described the measure as a vote of no-confidence on the administration’s policy in Iraq.

Sen. Joseph Biden: “U.S. strategy and presence in Iraq can only be sustained with the support of the American people and the bipartisan support United States Congress. Ladies and gentlemen, this resolution will demonstrate that and demonstrate that right away. The support is not there for the president’s policy in Iraq, and the sooner he realizes that reality and acts on it, the better off we will all be.”