House of Representatives will debate Iraq

WASHINGTON, April 28 (UPI) -- House Majority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, has told Republican colleagues they will have a full and lengthy floor debate on the Iraq War.

Four House Republicans have signed a Democratic-sponsored discharge petition that would begin 17 hours of debate over Iraq on the House floor, The Hill reported.

The Republicans signed on because GOP leaders had ignored their requests for a debate, said Rep. Walter Jones, R-N.C., one of the four who signed the discharge petition.

Boehner's remarks, which were unexpected, caused a hush to fall over the audience Thursday, said Rep. Wayne Gilchrest, R-Md., who also signed the Democratic discharge petition.

Boehner said the House would debate a resolution produced by the Republican-controlled House International Relations Committee, but it is unknown what form that resolution will take.

Some Republicans expressed skepticism about holding a full and wide-ranging floor debate on the war.