Dodd proposes limiting U.S. troops in Iraq

WASHINGTON, Jan. 17 (UPI) -- Connecticut Sen. Christopher J. Dodd proposed legislation Wednesday to limit the number of U.S. troops at the current level of approximately 130,000.

The Washington Post reported the Democratic senator, a 2008 presidential candidate, also proposed his fellow congressmen choose a definitive side in relation to U.S. President George W. Bush's plan for increasing troop levels in Iraq.

"The president has laid down the gauntlet by saying he is going to go forward and I don't care what you say," Dodd said of the proposed increase.

Dodd alleged Bush may have garnered authorization for troop dispersal back in 2002-03, but that agreement would be voided now that Iraq has become a full-blown civil war.

Dodd's comments were echoed the same day by New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, who will likely oppose Dodd for the 2008 Democratic nomination.

Speaking in a series of interviews, Clinton opposed troop increases in Iraq and supported possible limits to funds given to the Iraqi government, the Post reported.