Washington: The US House of Representatives on Thursday rejected a resolution calling for the withdrawal of American forces from Afghanistan, a war that is facing growing public opposition.
The proposal was defeated by a vote of 321-93, but it showed increased opposition compared with March 2010 when a similar bill was defeated by 356-65.
The vote came days after a Washington Post/ABC News poll showed 64 percent of Americans feel the US war in Afghanistan is no longer worth fighting. That was a sharp rise from April 2010, when 52 percent expressed a similar view.
The resolution offered by Democratic Representative Dennis Kucinich would have required all US forces to be pulled out of the Asian country within 30 days.
"Afghanistan is already the longest war in the history of our country, how can we afford the lives anymore?" Kucinich said in a floor speech.
"Maybe it's time to start taking care of things at home."
But Republican Ileana Ros-Lehtinen said the war effort is paying off.
"The enemy is indeed on the run," she said.
"It is demoralised and divided. Let us not give up now. Let us not betray the sacrifices of our men and women serving in harm's way and ask for nothing in return except our full support."
Bureau Report
First Published: Friday, March 18, 2011, 13:13