In its latest war vote, the House voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to bar the establishment of permanent U.S. military bases in Iraq.

The bill (HR 2929), passed 399-24, says “it is the policy of the United States not to establish any military installation or base for the purpose of providing for the permanent stationing of U.S. armed forces in Iraq.” The measure would bar Congress from appropriating any funds for such bases.

It also would bar U.S. economic control of Iraqi oil fields.

Democrats said the impression that America plans a permanent military presence in Iraq is fueling the insurgency and sparking resentment among Iraqi citizens.

The bill is the latest in a series of measures House Democrats are bringing to the floor to promote a change in policy in Iraq.

Republicans pointed out that the House has passed similar language six times. Though this bill would make the policy permanent, it is already law as part of the fiscal 2007 defense authorization act.

“Why are we here?” asked Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida, ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. “Why are we spending valuable time on an issue that the Congress, on a bipartisan basis, already has agreed to?”