A Democratic Party proposal to give troops returning from war zones more time at home has been defeated in the US Senate.
It is the first in a series of legislative proposals Democrats hope will force the White House to change direction in Iraq.
The proposal from Virginian Democratic Senator Jim Webb would have ensured that US troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan would get to remain in the US for a period of time equivalent to their tour of duty.
However, Republican Senator John McCain described the proposal as a back-door method to force troop withdrawals.
Last week's testimony from the General David Petraeus seems to have been enough to sway John Warner, an influential Republican sceptic of the War, who voted against the bill.
Democrats' efforts to force change on Iraq have been stymied by their slim majority in the Senate and redoubled efforts by the White House to stiffen Republican support.
