New text drops clause suggesting Senate support for some additional troops, adds pledge to protect funding for troops already serving in Iraq

Key Democratic and Republican senators who oppose President Bush's plan to send more troops to Iraq have forged a joint resolution against the increase.

The new, non-binding resolution is sponsored by John Warner, the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Democrat Carl Levin.

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Levin had his own resolution against the president's new strategy but is now supporting an amended Warner resolution.

The new text drops a clause suggesting Senate support for some additional troops, and adds a pledge to protect funding for troops already serving in Iraq.

The re-worded resolution is aimed at winning enough support from both Democrats and Republicans to pass.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says he will bring the new Warner-Levin resolution to the Senate floor next week.

Levin's original resolution was far more critical of the president, saying the troop increase was not in the national interest.

That text was passed by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee last week.

Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.