(February 15, 2007)--On day three of House floor debate over an Iraq resolution that would rebuke the President's plan to increase U.S. troops, Rep. Charlie Gonzales, D-San Antonio, said Thursday that it doesn't matter how many troops are sent to Iraq - the damage is beyond repair.

"Whether we send in 20,000 or 200,000 more troops, and we cannot ignore the lessons of history, the views of military experts, and the will of the American people. it is time for our troops to start coming home and it's time for the Iraqis to start building a home. vote yes on this resolution,” he said.

Gonzales' comments come on the House floor as members debated the on-binding resolution that refutes the President's plan to send an additional 21,500 troops to Iraq, primarily to Baghdad, to help quell the violence.

Republicans have touted the resolution as a political move that accomplishes nothing except sending a bad message to the troops fighting there.

Rep. Timothy Walberg (R - Michigan) said the resolution signals to the world that America has lost its nerve.

A vote on the resolution is expected Friday.

Anticipating a blow from House Democrats on Iraq, President Bush is taking a few swings of his own.

In a speech to a conservative Washington think tank, Mr. Bush says it would be a contradiction for the Democratic controlled Congress to pass a resolution criticizing a troop buildup after approving the nomination of Gen. David Petraeus to take command in Iraq.

Mr. Bush says the buildup is part of Petraeus' plan.

But Mr. Bush says the question of funding will be an even more important vote.

He's asking Congress for nearly $100 billion for the war effort.

He says that will give troops "the resources they need to do their job and the flexibility to prevail."

The president also praised the coordination between Iraqi and coalition forces, as they begin a sweep through Baghdad aimed at quelling sectarian violence.

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