By DAVID ESPO, AP Special Correspondent 3 minutes ago
WASHINGTON - Speaker Nancy Pelosi (news, bio, voting record) pledged the support of House Democrats Thursday for legislation declaring that
President Bush's decision to send additional troops to
Iraq is "not in the national interest of the United States."
Pelosi's commitment came as Senate Democrats said they intend to begin advancing a nonbinding measure next week that criticizes the White House's new strategy.
Democrats sought to bring public pressure to bear on the president's new policy as Bush and senior administration officials worked to limit Republican defections.
"He said, 'If you can help us out, I really appreciate your help,'" Sen. Wayne Allard (news, bio, voting record), R-Colo., said after a White House meeting with the commander in chief.
Senate Democrats, backed by two Republicans, unveiled legislation Wednesday that criticized Bush's decision to increase troop levels by 21,500. "It is not in the national interest of the United States to deepen its military involvement in Iraq, particularly by escalating the United States military force presence in Iraq," the nonbinding Senate measure states.
At a news conference, Pelosi read those words aloud approvingly, and said, "That resolution will be supported by Democrats in the House."
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http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070118/ap_on_go_co/us_iraq