WASHINGTON, June 15 (UPI) -- The U.S. Senate rejected an amendment Thursday that called for withdrawal of most U.S. troops from Iraq by year's end.
The measure was sponsored by Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., who did not vote for it, The New York Times reported. McConnell claimed it matches one Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., is preparing.
The Senate voted 93-6 to table the McConnell amendment, which said that only those troops needed to train and assist Iraqi forces should remain in the country in 2007. The votes against tabling all came from Democrats and included Kerry, his Massachusetts colleague, Edward Kennedy, Tom Harkin of Iowa, Barbara Boxer of California, Russell Feingold of Wisconsin and Robert Byrd of West Virginia.
In the House, representatives debated a resolution supporting the Bush administration's Iraq policy.
Republicans depicted Iraq as one battleground in the fight against terrorism. Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., called Iraq a "free-fraud zone" where almost $9 billion has been spent with little effect.
"We are viewed in Iraq as occupiers," Waxman said.
