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

[ohioWfan]

Shut up? LOL!

Methinks I'm not the one who needs to 'let it go.'

But such is the difference between rational and irrational.

I'll 'shut up' now. You have a fun day, OK? :)

[OldFriend]

The dems vote was purely to placate their pink base.

To them it's all about posturing, pretending, and showing the white flag to our enemies in the hopes that they won't attack us again.

Quite an igornant strategy, proving they aren't to be trusted with national security under any circumstances.

[OldFriend]

Don't you know, it's the intellectually honest thing to do. Attack the President and refer to the dems as great Americans.

Support the troops but attack their Commander in Chief.

Nothing more than a betrayal, IMO.

[OldFriend]

24 BILLION in pork spending. They made those promises to get the votes.

Sick, isn't it.......while they scream about the troops not having enough equipment, blah blah blah.

[John David Stutts]

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

AMEN!

(I love your tagline)

[John David Stutts]

Grapple, if you have the brainpower, with why "Republican" Presidents propose financially ruinous socialist prescription and "no child left behind" schemes, and refer to Ted Kennedy as a great legislator.

Bush promised prescription drugs and education reform as campaign issues. The fact that he delivered on many of his promises separates Bush from most Presidents. There is no communist conspiracy...it is a conspiracy of voters who gave Bush the power push his agenda. Bushes agenda is to do what the American people want...even if it conflicts with his own ideology.

As for calling Kennedy a great legislator it is for the same reasons rats speak of middle-class tax cuts they never intend to enact. It is the same reason rats do not really say what they think about the WOT. It is the same reason I do not tell my wife she looks like she is gaining weight. It is not politically expedient to tell the truth.

[#1CTYankee]

Pilosi is between a rock and a hard place, she played her hand and knew the outcome in advance. The Dem's are stuck with giving the funding and hoping things go bad in Iraq, this is the only way they can garner enough votes later if their wishes come true.

BTW, welcome to FR :-D

[girlangler]

"14 smart and patriotic democrats (or maybe they just didn't get any pork)"

One of those Democrats was my rep., and I have been burning up his phone line and email. He voted for the non binding resolution recently, and I let him have a piece of my mind.

An aide in his office told me right after that vote to watch what happens when the issue of funding the troops comes up, that he would never support cutting funds. He kept his word, and I am sending him an email today thanking him.

[girlangler]

" I know this is serious. My husband is out there. I am more afraid of my own Representative than of the terrorists."

Please know we appreciate your husband and his family for your sacrifices. I honestly think March 17 gave us the momentum in this country to stand up and demand Congress support our troops. We are not through yet. I think there will be more rallies supporting our troops in the near future.

[Cobra64]

No one was cracks at the President. On this and other threads, you are mis-interpreting comments from loyal Conservative veteran FReepers.

IMO

[Cobra64]

The "R" target is friendly.

There's been a term around here for years: RINO. There are some (D) politicians more Conservative than some (R) politicians.

[Cobra64]

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.

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

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

Mr. Rooney, I have no dog in this fight, but methinks you're stirring up a hornest nest among our respected FReeper brethren.

Most folks here feel they have a Constitutional right to express their views. And if the do not dovetail with others' opions, they do not like to be lectured to. I include myself in that group.

BTW, I take one of these when I get up tight.

Cheers.

[Cobra64]

drop it .... or are you nuts?

LOL. There are a few around here that are. I've been following your jousts, and the comments made to you, if weren't so sad, would be funny.

[Cobra64]

If my POTUS were really serious about our safety, he'd secure our borders and defend our Gatekeepers.

No argument there Tex.

[Cobra64]

Yes. It's an upside down translation. It's sorta clever. I like it. Relax.

[Cobra64]

Excellent assessment HJ.

[Cobra64]

Ditto you comment.

[colorado tanker]

Thank you, FRiend.

God bless this President.

Bears repeating!

[TAdams8591]

Someone has to be the adult. And that would be you, President Bush. Thank you!