WASHINGTON - Calling Iraq a "Republican" war, an angry Rep. John Murtha today joined several top Democrats in threatening to withhold the nearly $200 billion in emergency military spending that President Bush has requested.

"It is the Republicans in Congress who continue to hand this president a blank check with no policy restrictions for the war in Iraq," said Mr. Murtha, D-Johnstown, who chairs the powerful House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee. "This is their war."

Rep. David Obey, D-Wisc., chairman of the full House Appropriations Committee, said he and Mr. Murtha would try to use their power of the purse to force President Bush to change course.

"I have no intention of reporting out $200 billion," Mr. Obey said.

The chairman also said he will soon introduce legislation for a war tax surcharge for all Americans -- except members of the military and their families -- to cover the conflict's huge costs. The tax, he said, could add as much as 15 percent to the federal income tax bills of the wealthiest Americans, while low- and middle-income Americans would pay about 2 percent.

Mr. Obey predicted that such a tax would collect as much as $145 to $150 billion each year, near the annual price tag of the Iraq war.

"If you don't like the cost," he said, "then shut down this war."

His proposal would face little chance of success since Republicans could block it in the Senate, where at least 60 votes are needed to move forward on major legislative initiatives. Mr. Obey also acknowledged that he hasn't received the support of congressional Democratic leaders, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.

But Mr. Obey and Mr. Murtha do have enough power to tie up the president's budgetary requests for the war.

Mr. Murtha angrily denied that their approach would imperil soldiers already on the battlefield, saying Congress could provide enough funds for basic needs through the annual defense appropriations bill currently under consideration.

"We're going to take care of the troops. Period," he said.

More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.