Republicans irked by Democratic ad

WASHINGTON, July 14 (UPI) -- U.S. Republican lawmakers reportedly are irate over a Democratic campaign ad showing footage of flag-draped coffins of U.S. troops killed in Iraq.

"The fact that they are using this as a way to somehow raise money is more than disturbing," U.S. Rep. K. Michael Conaway, R-Texas, who is a member of the House Armed Services Committee, told The Washington Times. "A huge apology to the troops and their families is owed by everyone involved in this travesty."

Some House Democrats defended their "America Needs a New Direction" video, saying Republicans had exploited images of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks for campaign purposes, the report said.

The video also has footage showing victims of Hurricane Katrina. The Times report said some Democrats criticized the ad. In a letter to the party's Congressional Campaign Committee chairman, Rep. John Spratt Jr., D-S.C., said, "I strongly recommend that you pull this ad and delete both these clips before running it again."