On Capitol Hill, the House continues debate on the nonbinding resolution opposing President Bush’s troop increase in Iraq.

Rep. Congressmember Loretta Sanchez (D-Ca.): “He wants to send 21,000 more of our men and women to Iraq to carry out the same failure. The president has failed to articulate what these new troops will do that is different from what has been done over the past few years. What is his plan?”

The resolution is attracting growing support from dissenting Republicans. At least 12 Republican congressmembers said Wednesday they will vote to oppose the escalation of the war. Republican Congressmember Rick Renzi of Arizona isn’t one of them.

Rep. Rick Renzi (R-Az.): “We need to take responsibility, all of us, for our words and our actions. We need to understand the effect this flawed resolution has on the morale of our soldiers overseas and the effect it will have on the desires of our allies to team with us in the future. Finally, it needs to take responsibility, all of us, for the encouragement this resolution gives to our enemies.”

The House is expected to vote on Friday.