On Capitol Hill, Senator Ted Kennedy plans to introduce legislation today that would require new authorization for any troop increase. Senator Barack Obama of Illinois also criticized the call for more troops.

Sen. Barack Obama: “You know, I met with the president last week and expressed my clear and unequivocal opposition to an escalation of troops levels in Iraq. I don’t think that 15,000 or 20,000 more troops is going to make a difference in Iraq and in Baghdad. What will make a difference is a political accommodation between the Shiites, the Sunnis and the Kurds.”

In the House, Congressman Dennis Kucinich plans to put forward his own plan calling for the end of the U.S. occupation, the closing of U.S. military bases and the complete withdrawal of U.S. troops. As part of the plan, Kucinich calls for cutting off new funds for the war and using existing funds to bring the troops home. Kucinich also wants the return of all U.S. private contractors in Iraq.