DCCC Chairman Rahm Emanuel (D-IL), Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), and Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) are circulating a "Dear Colleague" letter to other members of the House, urging House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R- IL) to cancel Wednesday's address to Congress by Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on the theory that his condemnation of Israeli attacks on Lebanon put him at odds with U.S. policy.
The letter reads: "The Speaker's podium reflects our nation's values. We the Members of the House, under your leadership, decide who receives that honor, and the list should not include anyone whose interests conflict with the United States."
The Democratic House members wrote to inquire about how Maliki was chosen to receive the honor, and have asked for an apology.
Emanuel spokeswoman Kathleen Connery tells ABC News that as of last night, they had "approximately 20 signatures." Emanuel's staff is not going to release the letter until mid-morning when they are done collecting signatures and have forwarded the letter to the Speaker.
More from the Chicago Sun-Times' Lynn Sweet: LINK <http:// blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2006/07/post_37.html>