It was supposed to be a second rebuke in as many days against President Bush’s plan to send more troops to Iraq. But US Republicans have stopped the Senate from considering a resolution critical of the president. The vote was 56 to 34 in favour of a debate, short of the 60 needed for the resolution to advance.

Democrat majority leader Harry Reid said: “For those who’ve voted to block debate to protect President Bush, Americans now know they want to stay a failed course in Iraq. They want more o the same. They support escalation. The Senate is not done with his issue. It’s too important to be brushed aside.”

The Repulicans argue the resolution did not make sense because it voiced support for US troops, while disapproving of their mission. Yesterday the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives did pass a resolution critical of the president’s plans.

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