U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Baltimore) voted today against a measure that will provide $165 billion in additional funding for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan into next spring, while U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-Baltimore) voted in favor of the resolution, which passed 70-26.

"The American public is looking to Congress to act on behalf of the brave men and women of our U.S. Armed Forces," Cardin said in a statement. "They are not looking for a shift in our Iraq policy - they want us to change course and start bringing our troops home now. After more than five years, 4,000 American lives lost, 30,000 wounded, and $600 billion spent, I believe that our military and the American public deserve a clear signal that their leaders are listening. We failed to do that today."

"The senator voted against the war funding bill because he believes we need a new direction," Sue Walitsky, Cardin's communications director, said to PolitickerMD.com.

Meanwhile, Mikulski's communications director, Melissa Schwartz, told PolitickerMD.com, "Senator Mikulski's vote today is consistent with her position since voting against the war. She will continue to vote for a strategy to bring soldiers home safely and swiftly, but she will not vote against funding for our troops on the battlefield."

The Senate bill stripped language approved in the House version that would have forced the president to "commence an immediate and orderly redeployment of United States Armed Forces from Iraq, with a goal of completing such redeployment within 18 months." It also removed all other language involving the conduct of the war.

Democrats were essentially split on the measure, with 23 voting in favor and 24 voting against. Sen. Gordon Smith of Oregon was the only Republican to vote against the resolution, while Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont also voted nay.

"There has to be recognition that we need to change course and that was not present in this bill," Walitsky said.

Asked if Cardin could support any funding measure for the war in Iraq, Walitsky said, "It would have to have the right conditions saying that our troops are going to be removed from a civil war."

Both senators voted in favor of a domestic spending bill that will provide billions of dollars in funds for the poor, the environment, New Orleans reconstruction, and other areas. The resolution passed 75-22 and will be added to the war spending initiative.

In addition, Mikulski and Cardin both supported the passage of the new G.I. Bill, which will expand educational benefits to members of the Armed Forces.