Durbin changes direction on funding Iraq War

WASHINGTON (AP)  Dick Durbin voted against authorizing the war in Iraq from the outset. But ever since opposing the war in 2002, he's voted to fund it every time a supplemental appropriations bill came up with billions of dollars in proposed spending. But in a major shift for the Senate's second-highest ranking Democrat, Durbin says he's ready to vote against such funding if there's no change in U.S. policy in Iraq.
    
Speaking Friday, Durbin said Congress should use its budgetary powers to force the withdrawal of many U.S. troops. He says any troops remaining in Iraq should be limited to protecting U.S. assets, conducting counter-terrorism efforts and training Iraqi forces.

Durbin is also calling on President Bush to appoint a bipartisan team of envoys to begin what he calls a "diplomatic surge" directed at Iraq and its neighboring nations.

Source: WJBC