13 WTHR - Indianapolis News |Pence, Hill reflect likely party line vote on Iraq resolution

Pence, Hill reflect likely party line vote on Iraq resolution

Tom Walker/Eyewitness News

Washington, DC - On Capitol Hill the debate goes on over the resolution opposing President Bush's troop buildup in Iraq.

Rep. Baron Hill (D-IN09), once a yes vote for the war, is now a skeptic. He will vote against the surge of troops to Iraq. "It's not in the interest of the troops, it's not in the interests of this country. And it's not in the interest of the people of Iraq," Hill said.

Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN06) also voted for the war. He'll vote no on the Democrats' anti-surge resolution. "You know, people don't like losers, but they like quitters even less," he said.

Pence doesn't like the fact that the resolution says nothing about continuing support for the money to pay for the war. "While this debate is non-binding, it sets the table for funding cuts in the very near future," he said.

Hill doesn't like the fact that President Bush continues to believe his strategy will work. "He's probably in a state of denial. I'm concerned about that, very concerned about that," Hill said.

Pence has had his differences with Republican leaders, but is solidly behind them in defense of the President's Iraq policy. "If this new strategy in Iraq succeeds in the coming months, what will those who vote for this resolution say?" Pence wondered.

Hill was elected in November along with other Democrats who believe Americans voted for change and he answers Pence's question this way: "I have to rely on the judgment of military experts and the military experts are saying that this is not going to work."

Pence and Hill will be on opposite sides when the House votes on this resolution later this week. The vote on the Iraq resolution is expected Friday, and it appears likely to split Hoosiers here along party lines, just as it has the rest of the Congress.