By IL Public Radio
Chicago, Ill. – Illinois' U.S. Senator Dick Durbin says sending more troops to Iraq would be a quote "terrible decision."
Durbin says the military already is pushed to the limit, and it would be a mistake to send troops that have already served back to Iraq.
"What message does this send to the Iraqis," Durbin signed Thursday. "That instead of fielding their own soldiers, their own police force to defend their own country, we're going to keep sending more and more American soldiers.
"I believe that really relieves the Iraqis of the ultimate responsibility they should have, to protect their own country."
His comments come in response to some increased pressure for more troops in Iraq. Sen. John McCain renewed his call for 15-30,000 more troops in Iraq.
But Army officials say they can only send up to 15,000, and the end of the war would have to be in sight. Otherwise, they say, it would drain the pool of soldiers ready for combat.