Haraz N. Ghanbari, Associated Press

Reps. Robert Brady, D-Pa., left, and John Murtha, D-Pa., walk through a corridor at the U.S. Capitol in Washington yesterday. Rep. Murtha's call for a quick exit from Iraq spurred a GOP House measure calling for an "immediate" pullout. That measure was overwhelmingly rejected by the House, but Democrats charged the Republicans had distorted Murtha's proposal and staged the "cut and run" vote as a political stunt. MORE COVERAGE Johnstown stands behind Murtha in wake of his call for Iraq exit Full text of Rep. Murtha's call for Iraq exit

WASHINGTON -- An attempt to force a vote on a Republican version of a proposal by Rep. John P. Murtha to withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq disintegrated into a raucous House floor debate last night over the Pennsylvania congressman's honor and the treatment of Iraq war critics.

Concerned about the message Mr. Murtha's shift in his view of the Iraq war had telegraphed around the world, Republicans unexpectedly kept lawmakers in Washington on the eve of their Thanksgiving break to debate a one-sentence substitute for his more nuanced proposal.

The GOP framed the vote as a test that would illustrate Congress' commitment to the Iraq war and to U.S. troops.

But Democrats impugned the substitute proposal as a "cheap political stunt" to embarrass the Johnstown Democrat and prevent real debate about the withdrawal of troops from Iraq.

Mr. Murtha's resolution had called for a withdrawal of U.S. troops "at the earliest practicable date," which he said could be done safely within six months. But the version sponsored by House Armed Services Chairman Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., stated only that "the deployment of U.S. forces in Iraq should be terminated immediately."

Democrats denounced Mr. Hunter's proposal as counterfeit. Late last night, it was defeated almost unanimously, 403-3, with six not voting. All Western Pennsylvania lawmakers opposed it.

Following the vote, the White House said in a statement: "... Congress in strong, bipartisan fashion rejected the call to cut and run. The best strategy to keep America safe is to continue taking the fight to the terrorists, not to retreat in the face of the despicable attacks of a determined enemy. ... When victory is achieved, our troops will return home with the honor they deserve."

Nearly an hour into the debate, tensions had hit the breaking point when Rep. Jean Schmidt, R-Ohio, took the floor. "A few minutes ago, I received a call from [Marine Corps Reserve] Col. Danny Bupb, Ohio representative from the 88th District in the [state] House of Representatives," she said. "He asked me to send Congress a message: Stay the course. He also asked me to send Congressman Murtha a message -- that cowards cut and run, Marines never do."

Chaos erupted in the House chamber as nearly two dozen Democrats left their seats, outraged by the insult to Mr. Murtha, who served in the Marine Corps and Reserves for 37 years and earned a Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts. Some stormed the other side of the aisle , shouting, "Take the words down"-- a demand that Ms. Schmidt's remarks be stricken from the official record, which the House ultimately did by unanimous consent.

Rep. Harold E. Ford Jr., D-Tenn. -- thinking he had overheard another insult to Mr. Murtha in a side conversation -- at one point flew toward Rep. Thomas Tancredo, R-Colo., shouting, "Say it to Murtha," but he was physically restrained by another lawmaker.

Mr. Murtha, who was not in the chamber for the initial debate or Ms. Schmidt's comments, arrived for a procedural vote moments later and was greeted with high-fives, applause and a standing ovation from Democrats.

Despite the debate's rancor, Mr. Hunter last night said he did not regret seeking to debate the issue because he believed that House members could not leave Washington without showing U.S. troops that Congress was committed to the war. "It became clear that we've got a message going out from American shores that Congress is withdrawing support for our military mission," he said. The House had to address the issue, he said, "otherwise you are going to have this perception bubbling out in the war-fighting theaters."

Asked whether he had expected the tenor of the debate, Mr. Hunter said, "a little infighting is expected."

Nearly three hours of rhetoric exposed the wide variance in stances on the Iraq war -- particularly on the House side. Republicans defended the rationale for war, but many Democrats focused on what they viewed as GOP maneuvering. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., though she had not publicly embraced Mr. Murtha's proposal, nonetheless said Republicans' actions were a disgrace.

"Mr. Murtha has dealt the mighty blow of truth to the president's failed Iraq policy," she said. "The American people have rallied to Jack Murtha's message of truth, but you can't handle the truth. Why are the Republicans so afraid of the facts?"

Rep. Louis M. Slaughter, D-N.Y., said the Republican leadership had "made a joke of this country's debate over the war in Iraq by twisting the honest and courageous words of a concerned patriot." And Rep. Gene Green, D-Texas, said, "This debate is not about the Iraq war; it's about silencing critics."

But Republicans insisted the debate was over the policy, not Mr. Murtha. "People are in Iraq fighting," said Pennsylvania's Rep. Tim Murphy, R-Upper St. Clair. "They need to know whether or not we support them. ... We cannot let this break down into partisan politics; we cannot let it break down into bitterness."

But in the final hour of debate yesterday there was a dramatic shift in tone. Nearly two-third of the House members took their seats to listen to the debate, which was controlled by Mr. Murtha and Mr. Hunter.

Mr. Murtha, who spoke out against Mr. Hunter's proposal, gave an impassioned speech defending his call for a withdrawal because he believes that U.S. troops have become targets, and their presence in Iraq has unified the insurgency.

He said the calls to his office yesterday favored his announcement, 4 to 1. "I have never seen such an outpouring," he said. "They are thirsting for some direction on this."

Smoothing over the prior, more caustic remarks, several Republicans, including Reps. Henry Hyde of Illinois and C.W. Bill Young of Florida, rose to praise Mr. Murtha's service -- which led to countless standing ovations.

"Jack Murtha is one of a kind," said Pennsylvania Rep. Curt Weldon, R-Delaware County. He said Mr. Murtha had repeatedly stood with Republicans on defense matters. "None of us should think of questioning his motives or desires for American troops."

But nearly all Republicans who spoke returned to one point -- summed up by Mr. Young, who has served with Mr. Murtha on the Appropriations defense subcommittee for many years and who often joins Murtha in visiting wounded soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington. "Once you commit to war or battle, ... you are committed whether you like it or not," said Mr. Young. "We are in it for the long haul."