GOP BLOCKS SENATE VOTE ON TROOP RESOLUTION

Democrats, who hold a narrow majority in the Senate, fell four votes shy of the 60 needed on a procedural vote to consider the nonbinding resolution. They did pick up the support of seven Republicans -- five more than on an earlier vote on a similar measure -- suggesting they may be in a stronger position for future challenges to Bush over the war.

The 56-34 Senate vote came a day after the Democratic-controlled House rebuked the president's war strategy after four days of often heated debate.

The rare Saturday session of the Senate lasted only about 3 1/2 hours, but was no less intense.

"The voices of the American people are growing louder and louder, and the need for us to act could not be clearer. No more delays. No more filibusters. No more excuses," argued Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.). "This is the moment of truth. We either go on record opposing the escalation, or we go on record supporting it."

Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) accused Republicans of trying to protect the president from an embarrassing vote. He said that he would no longer push for a vote on the nonbinding resolution but that the war would remain center stage in the Senate.

"This war is too important to permit Senate Republicans to brush it aside," he said. "The Senate will keep fighting to force President Bush to change course."

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) accused Democrats of playing "stupid political games."

"This is a low point in my time in the Senate," he said.

The Senate was scheduled to begin a weeklong recess Saturday, but Reid kept the chamber in session, saying it was important to get senators on the record on the issue. Nine Republicans skipped the vote.

Republicans said they were prepared to debate the war, but only if Democrats would allow consideration of an alternative resolution opposing any cut in funding for the troops.

A Reid spokesman said the Democratic leader didn't want to include the resolution opposing a cut in funding because it would be a distraction from a "yes or no vote on the escalation." The spokesman said Reid had offered to let Republicans bring their resolution at another time.