The Senate voted Wednesday to begin debate on a resolution that would call on President Bush to begin the phased redeployment of U.S. troops from Iraq.

The 89–9 vote marked the beginning of the first formal debate on the war since Democrats took control of Congress in January. The resolution, which would demand the withdrawal of most troops from Iraq within a year, has 41 Democratic cosponsors but is not expected to get the 60 votes needed for passage.

“President Bush, it is time for a new way forward — to change course,” Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said. “The way to succeed in Iraq is not to do more of the same. It is to change the mission and change the course. Our country must have a surge, America must have an escalation, but the surge must not be a military escalation, but a surge in diplomacy.”

Last month, Republicans twice had blocked Democratic efforts to move to a debate and a vote on non-binding Iraq resolutions. However, those measures had some bipartisan support and a chance of passage. Republican leaders do not fear the current resolutions and most GOP senators voted to move ahead with the debate this time.