WASHINGTON, March 14 (UPI) -- The U.S. Senate is debating a Democratic resolution aimed at a pullout of U.S. combat troops from Iraq in 2008.
Bush administration officials denounced the plan, saying the resolution would "hobble American commanders in the field. The Senate is not expected to pass the resolution, The New York Times reported.
An emergency spending bill, which also includes a 2008 withdrawal, will go before the Senate Appropriations Committee Thursday.
The White House said it would veto both measures.
As debate got under way in the Senate, both sides of the aisle appeared sad and dismayed about the course of the war, the newspaper said.
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said the situation is dire but too important for partisanship.
"Political parties don't lose wars," he said. "Nations lose wars and nations suffer the consequences."
Democrats hope the measure will "escalate pressure" on the administration and Republicans to "shift course" on the war, the Times said.
