The U.S. House of Representatives sidetracked an anti-war bill on Thursday, clearing the way for a vote on a new measure that will fund the Iraq war only through July.

The first bill, largely symbolic, was easily defeated by a vote of 255-171.

It was sponsored by left-wing Democrats who requires U.S. combat troop withdrawals from Iraq to start within three months.

A vote on the latter bill is expected later Thursday, despite President George W. Bush's repeated vow to veto it.

Source: Xinhua