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U.S. Republican rift on Iraq grows

WASHINGTON, July 11 (UPI) -- Dissent in the Republican Party over U.S. President George W. Bush's Iraq war policy grew Wednesday as two key party senators co-sponsored a Democratic bill.

Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, and Sen. Gordon Smith, R-Ore., went against their party by signing on to Democratic legislation that sets a timetable for the U.S. military to withdraw from Iraq, CNN reported.

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The amendment was created by Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., and Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich. The Office of Management and Budget Tuesday called the amendment an infringement of presidential powers.

The Republican senators' support of the proposal comes as other members of their party have begun speaking out against the war.

Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio, recently called the Bush administration's current war policy ineffective and called on his fellow Republicans for support.

"I think we should continue to ratchet up the pressure -- in addition to our words -- to let the White House know we are very sincere," he said.

White House spokesman Tony Snow told reporters Wednesday he didn't know whether Republican support for the war is eroding.

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"I think what you do have is a clear sense on Capitol Hill that the war is unpopular with a lot of Americans," said Snow, "that Americans want a demonstration that we are going to make some progress that in fact is going to make it worth the blood and treasure, which we think it is and we think will be demonstrated."

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