Bush Threatens Veto of Spending Bills

AP & Washington Post ^ | 4/7/6 | Andrew Taylor

[Crackingham]

President Bush said Friday he would use his power to veto spending bills if Congress does not cut the federal budget as he has asked. In over five years in office, Bush has never vetoed any bill. But he said that restraining spending was crucial to cutting the deficit in half by 2009 as he has promised. "If necessary, I will enforce spending restraint through the exercise of the veto," the president said.

Bush's brief statement from the White House's Diplomatic Reception Room came a day after feuds among rival Republican factions led House GOP leaders to pull a $2.8 trillion budget blueprint from the floor. The collapse of the measure threatens to send Republicans into the fall election season with deficits on the rise and no plan in place to contain them. Separate talks aimed at extending Bush's previously passed tax cuts for capital gains and dividends stalled. With lawmakers headed home for a two-week recess with few accomplishments to show constituents, the president said Congress must break the logjam.

"Our economy grows when the American people make the decisions about how to save, spend and invest their money," he said. "To keep our economy creating jobs and opportunity, Congress needs to show its trust in the American people and make the tax relief permanent."

Bush took on those, mostly Democrats, who oppose the extension of some of those tax cuts, saying the lower rates have helped create 5.1 million new jobs since August 2003. "The facts have proven the critics wrong 5.1 million times over," he said.

The budget measure's demise was the result of opposition among moderates and a power struggle between a faction of conservatives and the House Appropriations Committee. Republican unity was essential to passing the plan, since no Democrats were expected to back it.

[T.L.Sink]

Yes! After creating the largest entitlement that will cost future generations trillions in unfunded liability, signing every pork bill to come his way, and spending like a drunken sailor he's going for fiscal restraint now. Sure. Typical - a day late and a dollar short. I should apologize to drunken sailors -- at least it's THEIR MONEY they're spending!

[zeugma]

Isn't it great? The picturelickers must be wetting themselves.

I too have noticed a distinct shift on this forum over the past two years. It's been more pronounced since the illegals started protesting though.

I think the party is going to have more trouble motivating the rank and filers the next year than they think. 

[Nonstatist]

LOL. He's losing his base so he may have to resort to spending constraint. Unreal what it takes.

[grey_whiskers]

From his flailing, and the futility of his gestures, I am beginning to think that Bush is becoming a PINO.

President In Name Only.

Cheers!

[TheBattman]

Don't pat him on the back just yet... ther are a few things to keep in mind:

1- Bush likes to spend money

2 - He has never used his Veto power (even when he should have).

3 - Threats are just that until the turn to action.

[EternalVigilance]

*Gasping for air*

Maybe the funniest FR thread ever! :-)

[EternalVigilance]

"If necessary, I will enforce spending restraint through the exercise of the veto," the president said.

"And if that doesn't work, I'm going to put them on double-secret probation!", he added.

[RHINO369]

"The Republicans are in control of the government"

[newzjunkey]

Bush signed the Pentagon spending bill with the McCain anti-torture provision included despite months of veto threats. See one activist group's reaction here.

[newzjunkey]

Given what you say, it makes Bush even more toothless if he doesn't veto that 1/3 of discretionary spending.

[jwh_Denver]

Never have I seen so many posters here on FR so down on Bush. It's his own damned fault.

[newzjunkey]

I wonder if he's afraid the veto pen was used on Ms Lewinsky? I'm sure they can find him a new pen!

[newzjunkey]

It's his own damned fault.

EXACTLY. It isn't us, it's him and his policies. His "compassionate conservatism" has been too long on "compassion" and only rhetorical nonsense on the "conservative" part.

[The Red Zone]

The big rubber stamp on his desk that says "NO" has long dried out and is proceeding to crumble into little bits.

[Euro-American Scum]

Bush Threatens Veto of Spending Bills

Checking the sky for flying pigs.

[Moonman62]

Has he said before he would veto a spending bill?

Sure, when there wasn't enough spending in it.

[Liberty Valance]

Threatened a Veto?
Is this part of the Friday silliness thread?

[Siena Dreaming]

But a number of the folks on this board and in conservative circles that feigned outrage that the *first* time he threatens a VETO was over Dubai

Looks like you are right.

Freepers were lying about the Dubai veto threat.

[Lucky2]

I love this President and all he's done to protect America but he's endorsed spending like a drunken sailor! These vetos are too late but better late than never I guess.