WASHINGTON (AP) — The House of Representatives soundly rejected an effort by anti-war lawmakers Wednesday to force withdrawal of all U.S. troops from Afghanistan by the end of the year.



The outcome of the vote, 356-65 against the resolution, never was in doubt. Nevertheless, the 3 1/2-hour debate gave those who oppose President Barack Obama's war policies a platform to vent their frustrations.



Opposing the resolution was easy for almost all Republicans, who have been solidly behind Obama's decision to increase U.S. troop strength in Afghanistan from 70,000 to 100,000. Only five Republicans supported the measure.



It was a harder vote for some Democrats, particularly in an election year where opposing the war can be equated with opposing the troops. Several expressed discomfort with a war that has lasted 8 1/2 years and cost the nation more than 930 American lives and the treasury more than $200 billion but said they were voting against the resolution because it was ill-timed and unrealistic.



Among the "no" voters was Democratic Rep. Patrick Kennedy, who gave an impassioned speech. The U.S. policy of needlessly sending troops into harm's way was "shameful," Kennedy said. He also lambasted the national media, calling their lack of attention to the loss of life in Afghanistan "despicable."



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