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

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

I'm intersested in your post... what is GOE, please? Thanks!

[whereasandsoforth]

Excellent! The President did exactly what needed to be done. The statement was short and to the point. The message was clear and unmistakable. His body language helped signal his disgust. The look on his face was forceful and angry. This was good.

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

Yes, here:

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0307/3237.html

[Rocko]

Yes: What you screamed.

[jackv]

Dang!! Rush is getting ready to play the clips.
I need to know what Bush said!!

[jackv]

(Gathering of Eagles)

[Rocko]

Dang!! Rush is getting ready to play the clips.

And my local station premepted him for baseball. Yikes.

[jrooney]

"Oh well, new tone and all..."

This is what you said. For too long it has been acceptable to attack GW and the GOP for what the deomcrats do. Enough is enough. You want to drop your sight on something to shoot at, shoot at he target with a "D". The "R" target is friendly.

[Rocko]

premepted = preempted

[NCC-1701]

And I bet you my next two paychecks that the dimoCRACKS NEVER enter into a power sharing arangement like that idiot Trent Lott did when the Pubs gained power in '94.

[politicalwit]

Does anyone have a list of the yeahs and nays?

[gotribe]

Did all House dems side with pelosi on this?

Also, is there a list of the pork spending - that should be enlightening. The visuals would be powerful: Our troops at risk while dems ask for some new public library wings.

[jrooney]

I do not know but with the current events, let's not attack Lott. Your enemy is the democrats, NEVER, NEVER forget that.

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

Thanks. Next I'll have to figure out what Gathering of Eagles is...

[From One - Many]

drop it, I didn't take a shot at Bush, baby....quit your whinning.

[bert]

....I am convinced that the earth moved on March 17....

Ditto that

[Right_in_Virginia]

Not on Fox. Is it over? What did POTUS say?

Thanks.

[jackv]

Oh dang!!

can you link to this:

http://www.wabcradio.com/

or

http://www.wlac.com/main.html

[jrooney]

The only one who think you did not is yourself. You are the whiner - "with the tone and all". If I see unwarranted attacks I will call anyone on it. You got caught and called.

[seekthetruth]

He said he would veto any bill that was not clean of pork and/or had any hint of deadlines on withdrawal from Iraq.
So proud of the fact that President Bush is standing strong against the traitor/DEMS and 2 RINO's!