The House today begins debate on a simple two paragraph non-binding resolution [pdf] opposing President Bush’s escalation in Iraq. After the speeches this week, the real work of combing through the Bush Administration’s budget begins.

Reports the Washington Post:

Waiting in the wings is binding legislation that would fully fund Bush’s $100 billion request for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan but add four conditions: Soldiers and Marines could be deployed to Iraq only after being certified as fully trained and equipped. National Guardsmen and reservists could be subject to no more than two deployments, or roughly 12 months of combat duty. The administration could use none of the money for permanent bases in Iraq. And additional funding for the National Guard and reserves must be spent to retool operations at home, such as emergency response.

At this stage, Jack Murtha’s Defense Appropriations Subcommittee won’t cut off funding for the war. But the conditions Murtha is proposing will make it very difficult for Bush to keep troops in Iraq for an indefinite period of time.