WASHINGTON - Colorado's congressional delegation split strictly along party lines in Friday's vote approving a $124 billion emergency war spending plan that attempts to impose a timetable for U.S. troops to leave Iraq.

All four Colorado Democrats - Reps. Diana DeGette, D-Denver; Mark Udall, D-Eldorado Springs; John Salazar, D-Manassa; and Ed Perlmutter, D-Golden - voted in favor of the resolution. All three Colorado Republicans - Reps. Marilyn Musgrave, R-Fort Morgan; Doug Lamborn, R-Colorado Springs; and Tom Tancredo, R-Littleton - opposed it.

DeGette, who is chief deputy whip for the Democratic caucus, said trying to forge party unity was the toughest assignment she has had in 10 years.

"We have a wildly diverse caucus, ranging from people who think we should pull out of Iraq tomorrow to people who don't think we should set deadlines at all," DeGette said.

Some anti-war activists oppose all funding related to the war, but Udall said it would have been "grossly irresponsible" not to vote to give troops what they need.

Republicans blasted the package as "pork-and-run," ripping Democrats for tying things such as drought relief funds to the controversial war spending.

"They choose to play politics. Shame on them," Musgrave said.

Lamborn said he was holding out for a "clean bill," meaning one that was not loaded down with non-war spending or conditions that could hamstring commanders.

sprengelmeyerm@shns.com