Fifty-three percent (53%) of voters say they want U.S. combat troops out of Iraq by the end of 2008. However, a Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that just 40% want Congress to cut off funding if the President won’t go along with the plan. Fifty percent (50%) are opposed to Congress using the purse strings in this manner while 10% are not sure.

On Wednesday, the House of Representatives approved legislation that would require troop withdrawals to begin within 30 days. The legislation included the goal of completing the redeployment by Dec. 15, 2008. Those requirements were linked to a request for $50 billion in funding for the military operations in Iraq. The Senate is taking up the measure today.

Only 4% of voters believe the President is Very Likely to agree with such a plan. Another 13% say he is Somewhat Likely to do so while 80% say it is not likely the President will accept that approach.

If the President does not agree, 10% of voters say it is Very Likely that Congress will actually withhold the funding. Another 33% say Congress is somewhat likely to do so. Fifty-four percent (54%) say the Congress is not likely to follow through if the President stands his ground.

The measure was defeated in the Senate yesterday. (see video)

As you would expect, there is a strong partisan divide on this topic. Among Democrats, 77% want the troops home by the end of next year and 65% believe Congress should withhold funds if the President doesn’t go along. Among Republicans, 24% favor a plan to withdraw the troops by the end of 2008 but only 10% want Congress to stop funding the war if the President disagrees.

As for those not affiliated with either major political party, 52% favor withdrawing troops by the end of next year and 36% disagree. However, just 42% want Congress to withhold the funds while 54% disagree.

A separate tracking survey, offering a different range of choices, has consistently found that roughly six-out-of-ten Americans want the U.S. troops brought home either immediately or within a year.

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