President's Remarks: Iraq War Emergency Supplemental(Responds to Congress' Betrayal Live Thread)

White House ^ | March 23, 2007

[bd476]

Live now, President Bush is making a strong response.

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Updated:

Remarks by the President on the Iraq War Emergency Supplemental



REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT ON THE IRAQ WAR EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL

Diplomatic Reception Room
2:00 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: Today I'm joined here at the White House by veterans, family members of people serving in combat, family members of those who have sacrificed. I am honored that they have joined me here today.

Here in Washington, members of both parties recognize that our most solemn responsibility is to support our troops in the war on terror. Yet, today, a narrow majority in the House of Representatives abdictated its responsibility by passing a war spending bill that has no chance of becoming law, and brings us no closer to getting our troops the resources they need to do their job.

The purpose of the emergency war spending bill I requested was to provide our troops with vital funding. Instead, Democrats in the House, in an act of political theater, voted to substitute their judgment for that of our military commanders on the ground in Iraq. They set rigid restrictions that will require an army of lawyers to interpret. They set an arbitrary date for withdrawal without regard for conditions on the ground. And they tacked on billions for pet projects that have nothing to do with winning the war on terror. This bill has too much pork, too many conditions and an artificial timetable for withdrawal.

As I have made clear for weeks, I will veto it if it comes to my desk. And because the vote in the House was so close, it is clear that my veto would be sustained. Today's action in the House does only one thing: it delays the delivering of vital resources for our troops. A narrow majority has decided to take this course, just as General Petraeus and his troops are carrying out a new strategy to help the Iraqis secure their capital city.

Amid the real challenges in Iraq, we're beginning to see some signs of progress. Yet, to score political points, the Democratic majority in the House has shown it is willing to undermine the gains our troops are making on the ground.

Democrats want to make clear that they oppose the war in Iraq. They have made their point. For some, that is not enough. These Democrats believe that the longer they can delay funding for our troops, the more likely they are to force me to accept restrictions on our commanders, an artificial timetable for withdrawal, and their pet spending projects. This is not going to happen. Our men and women in uniform need these emergency war funds. The Secretary of Defense has warned that if Congress does not approve the emergency funding for our troops by April the 15th, our men and women in uniform will face significant disruptions, and so would their families.

The Democrats have sent their message, now it's time to send their money. This is an important moment -- a decision for the new leaders in Congress. Our men in women in uniform should not have to worry that politicians in Washington will deny them the funds and the flexibility they need to win. Congress needs to send me a clean bill that I can sign without delay. I expect Congress to do its duty and to fund our troops, and so do the American people -- and so do the good men and women standing with me here today.

Thank you for your time.

END 2:04 P.M. EDT

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT ON THE IRAQ WAR EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL

[smoothsailing]

Your negative assessment is yours to wallow in, enjoy it.

From my point of view, the President made his point and made it well.

The bottom line is this, the troops know who stands with them, it's the President, not the media, not the Democrats, and not the fools who buy into what ploy or spin the media or the Democrats choose to employ to justify their treason.

[carton253]

LOL! I am responding to what you have posted on this thread and not what you have posted on this forum.

If this is your response - so be it. I was just hoping for more than buh, bye... it feels a little thin to me.

[Road Warrior ‘04]

Very late to the fray. I have but one word for the dummies that voted for the bill:

COWARDS!!!

[Tulsa Ramjet]

"..it feels a little thin to me."

yeah,..and maybe a little underage too.

[carton253]

I am still waiting for a reasoned and mature response to our initial posts. When you are ready to give one, please ping me. Otherwise, I don't think you have anything of interest to say.

[italianquaker]

Look at that"blue dog democrat" schuler, people better remember what a lib he really is

[foreshadowed at waco]

The pork appropriations were essentially bribes to 'buy' enough votes to pass the bill--no pork/ bribes so that people can vote their conscience or do some explaining to their constituents about why they're defunding the troops.

[FreedomNeocon]

Don't bother. HJ is one of the psychotics (who is on our side) but only truly at ease, if he pissed off and expects the worst about something.

Let him ramble on.

[acapesket]

Delahunt is a sleazebag extraordinaire. You should call some folks at the Herald or FOX25 and try to get your story out there. E mail Howie Carr @ howiecarr@wrko.com.
We Gay Staters are doomed with all the left wingnut Commies we elect!

[karnage]

As I recall, it was during the '00 campaign. But I can't give you any specific references. Maybe other Freepers will remember.

[italianquaker]

Some sound as bad as pelosi and her followers, they should be looking at the "blue dog democrats" that voted yeah but they rather blame and critize

[From One - Many]

thus the demonrats have to get our troops out of the way...
the TRAITORS....I'm calm now....

[anglian]

"I think I heard something about without a 'clean' bill by April 15."

Murtha has said we are sending troops to Iraq who are not being trained. The dems hope to drag this out to make sure Murthass statement rings true. No funding = No troops and no relief for those who are there already. They want to project onto Bush what they themselves hope to bring about. FAILURE.

[tcrlaf]

Democrats are in power because they ran CONSERVATIVE DEMOCRATS against RINO's, who promised to SUPPORT the Troops, AND THE MISSION, End Earmarks, Drain the swamp, and "Restore Integrity" to Washington, etc,etc ...

In SHORT, they F-in LIED....

Why isn't the American Media all over these clowns???

[From One - Many]

agreed...see post above you....this is what I think

[From One - Many]

our old media loves TRAITORS for they are TRAITORS themselves for covering for these demonrats.

[Miss Marple]

I am only to post 196, but I feel I have to point out two things:

1. The pork was the least important thing he mentioned, and the headlines (at least on Fox) is more on the "Bush standing up to democrats" part.

Which brings me to:

2. You have made your point. Quit harping on it and quit giving the democrats TALKING POINTS with your constant complaining!

[smoothsailing]

Your point is well taken, HJ's obsession with one word is getting a little boring! :)

[tcrlaf]

If you have ANY DOUBT that is part of a HUGE propganda campaign, take a look at a single page of postings, on a SINGLE Yahoo FINANCIAL (yes, a STOCK Board), in just the last few minutes....

Just the headlines:

Does Bush have his "excuse" to invade Iran now?
by amarketcrashiscom... [4 minutes ago] 2 second(s) ago

by aryanbeliever_gji...
Bush to veto funding for the troops!!
by ludefork [2 minutes ago] Not rated 1 5 second(s) ago
by yakahama_mamason

Lest we forget, Saddam had absolutely nothing to do with 9/11...
by csco_to_50 [18 second(s) ago] Not rated 0 18 second(s) ago
by csco_to_50

BUSH TO VETO THE WILL OF THE NATION—TRAITOR!
by calseamonster [1 minute ago] Not rated 0 1 minute ago
by calseamonster

BUSH TO VETO THE WILL OF THE NATION—TRAITOR!
by calseamonster [1 minute ago] Not rated 0 1 minute ago
by calseamonster

BUSH TO VETO THE WILL OF THE NATION—TRAITOR!
by calseamonster [1 minute ago] Not rated 0 1 minute ago
by calseamonster

BUSH TO VETO THE WILL OF THA NATION—TRAITOR!
by calseamonster [1 minute ago] Not rated 0 1 minute ago
by calseamonster

2172 GI'S HAVE BEEN KILLED SINCE OCT 7 2004
by red_state_mess [7 minutes ago] 1 1 minute ago
by amarketcrashiscom...


The American people have spoken
by diego_foley [12 minutes ago] 3 2 minutes ago

Funny-Bush acting more Hitler-like everyday!!!
by csco_to_50 [3 minutes ago] Not rated 0 3 minutes ago
by csco_to_50

NOW THATWE KNOW BUSH IS A SCUMBAG.
by calseamonster [3 minutes ago] Not rated 0 3 minutes ago
by calseamonster

NOW THATWE KNOW BUSH IS A SCUMBAG.
by calseamonster [3 minutes ago] Not rated 0 3 minutes ago
by calseamonster
]
The day BLACKWATER IPO's
by aryanbeliever_gji... [5 minutes ago] Not rated 0 5 minutes ago
by aryanbeliever_gji...

Democrats Plan to Spend More on Health Care, Veterans, Senator Conrad ...
by amarketcrashiscom... [43 minutes ago] Not rated 4 5 minutes ago
by bowers279

Funny-50,000+ US GIs seriously wounded come home to rat hole hospitals...
by csco_to_50 [6 minutes ago]

Bush to cut off funding for our troops
by sixdaysofhell [29 second(s) ago] Not rated 0 29 second(s) ago
by sixdaysofhell

Muslim terrorists vs. Christian terrorists i.e. Bush & Cheney
by csco_to_50 [1 minute ago] Not rated 0 1 minute ago
by csco_to_50

What kind of sick mind wants to see soldiers die just to save the Bush...
by hoodoo45 [4 minutes ago] 1 1 minute ago
by whydoeseveryoneca...

HOW RIDICULOUS HAS THIS WAR BECOME
by red_state_mess [31 minutes ago] 16 2 minutes ago
by kcottomd

Does Bush have his "excuse" to invade Iran now?
by amarketcrashiscom... [10 minutes ago] Not rated 2 3 minutes ago
by whydoeseveryoneca...

Lest we forget, Bush launched an unprovoked war on a defenseless count...
by csco_to_50 [3 minutes ago] 0 3 minutes ago
by csco_to_50

Lest we forget, WMDs were just a ruse by Bush Admin!!!
by csco_to_50 [4 minutes ago] Not rated 0 4 minutes ago
by csco_to_50

Lest we forget, Iraq was absolutely no threat to America!!!
by csco_to_50 [5 minutes ago] Not rated 0 5 minutes ago
by csco_to_50

Bush to veto funding for the troops!!
by ludefork [8 minutes ago]