G.O.P. Tries to Split Democrats With Vote on Iraq War

By ERIC SCHMITT

Published: November 18, 2005

WASHINGTON, Nov. 18 - House Republicans are attempting to split the ranks of the Democrats tonight by offering a resolution to withdraw American troops from Iraq immediately. The Republican-controlled House is expected to defeat the measure in a vote that the Republicans hope will leave the Democrats in disarray.

Representative John P. Murtha of Pennsylvania, a retired Marine colonel and one the House Democrats' most influential members on military matters, called on Thursday for pulling out the 153,000 American troops in Iraq "at the earliest practicable date," which could be six months, saying the United States forces had become a catalyst for the continuing violence in Iraq. Mr. Murtha did propose keeping some forces in the region.