WASHINGTON, D.C. — Colorado's U.S. senators split today over whether to set a timetable for U.S. troops to leave Iraq, but they unified on a non-binding resolution rejecting attempts to cut off funding for the war.

In a mostly party-line, 48-50 vote, the U.S. Senate nixed a non-binding resolution that would have set a March 31, 2008, goal for removing most combat troops from Iraq. Sen. Ken Salazar, D-Denver, voted "yes," and Sen. Wayne Allard, R-Loveland, voted "no."

But Allard and Salazar both voted "yes" on a 82-16 vote for a resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that "no funds should be cut off or reduced for American Troops in the field which would result in undermining their safety or their ability to complete their assigned mission."

Allard and Salazar also were united on a 96-2 vote in favor of a more general resolution saying "no action should be taken to undermine the safety" of U.S troops.

Some anti-war activists in Colorado and around the country have been pushing members of Congress to go beyond symbolic resolutions and try to end the war by cutting off funds. However, both of Colorado's Senators already were on record opposing such a move.

Allard portrayed the three votes as a victory for President Bush.

"That basically means the president wins," Allard said. "He's going to keep his ability to manage those troops as he sees fit. I've resisted every attempt for congress to micromanage the war."

Salazar said he was trying to bring a "new direction" in Iraq while ensuring that troops in the field are fully supported.

"I want the U.S. to succeed in Iraq," Salazar said. "That requires the Iraqi government taking responsibility for ending the civil war among its sects. U.S. troops should not be a police for the Iraqi civil war."

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