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WASHINGTON (AP) — One Republican senator says the conflict between Iraq's Shiites and Sunnis has been going on for 1,500 years -- and he says, "Whatever we do, it's not going to go away."
Richard Shelby of Alabama is among the lawmakers who voted to authorize military force in Iraq 12 years ago, but are now voicing doubts that U.S. air strikes will turn back the insurgents who are threatening the Iraqi government.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says, "After a decade of war, we've all had enough."
As President Barack Obama considers what to do in Iraq, there is little agreement in Congress on what steps he should take -- despite some Republican voices calling for air strikes and stepped-up military action. Sen. John McCain is among those Republicans.
A Democrat who voted for the Iraq invasion in 2002 -- Tom Harkin of Iowa -- now calls it "one of the worst votes" he ever cast. And as the U.S. again considers intervention in Iraq, Harkin says that vote is "weighing heavily" on his mind.
Obama will discuss the situation in Iraq with House and Senate leaders of both parties at the White House tomorrow.
%@AP Links
144-a-15-(Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., in remarks)-"that new strategy"-Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell says the president needs to provide specifics on how the U.S. plans to deal with the insurgency. (refers to ISIL, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, which is the militant group waging a campaign in Iraq) (17 Jun 2014)
<<CUT *144 (06/17/14)££ 00:15 "that new strategy"
143-a-08-(Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., in remarks)-"troops is lost"-Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell calls on the administration to help the Iraqi government immediately. (17 Jun 2014)
<<CUT *143 (06/17/14)££ 00:08 "troops is lost"
APPHOTO DCSA112: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., joined by, from left, Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., and Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., speaks with reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, June 17, 2014, after a Republican strategy session. President Barack Obama will meet with Congressional leaders at the White House on Wednesday to discuss the turmoil in Iraq. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) (17 Jun 2014)
<<APPHOTO DCSA112 (06/17/14)££
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