Polls & Research

Americans Would Veto Iraq Surge in Congress

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many adults in the United States are unconvinced about their government's new strategy for the coalition effort, according to a poll by Opinion Dynamics released by Fox News. 57 per cent of respondents would vote against funding the increase in U.S. troops in Iraq if they were members of Congress.

The coalition effort against Saddam Hussein's regime was launched in March 2003. At least 3,056 American soldiers have died during the military operation, and more than 22,900 troops have been wounded in action.

In December 2005, Iraqi voters renewed their National Assembly. In May 2006, Shiite United Iraqi Alliance member Nouri al-Maliki officially took over as prime minister.

On Jan. 10, U.S. president George W. Bush introduced his new course of action for the coalition effort, which includes an increase in U.S. troop levels. 52 per cent of respondents would vote to continue funding the current level of U.S. troops in Iraq, while 41 per cent would attempt to force a troop withdrawal.

On Jan. 23, Republican Virginia senator John Warner—a former chairman of the Senate Armed Services—joined a group of Republican and Democratic senators who oppose Bush's plan of sending more troops to Iraq.

Republican Maine senator Susan Collins and Republican Minnesota senator Norm Coleman co-sponsored the resolution, which states: "The Senate disagrees with the 'plan' to augment our forces by 21,500, and urges the president instead to consider all options and alternatives for achieving the strategic goals set forth below with reduced force levels than proposed."

Polling Data

If you were a member of Congress, how would you vote specifically on increasing U.S. troop levels in Iraq—would you vote for or against funding the increase in troops?

Regardless of how you would vote on sending more troops to Iraq... If you were a member of Congress, would you vote to continue funding the current level of U.S. troops in Iraq, or would you vote against funding the war altogether to try to force a troop withdrawal?