Here's the roll call vote on the pork laden goodie bag that enticed just enough members of the House of Representatives to vote for the defeat America legislation favored by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The measure, if it becomes law, would require President Bush to withdraw all U.S. troops by August 31, 2008.
After bitterly complaining about Republican earmarks and pork in the previous Congress, Pelosi and crew ladled on enough pork gravy with biscuits to get to the magic number for passage.
President Bush, in a strongly worded statement, rejected this partisan game playing, which will never pass the Senate, let alone a presidential veto.
President Bush Discusses Iraq War Emergency Supplemental
Diplomatic Reception Room
The White House
March 23, 2007
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 advocated 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.
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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.
Only two Republicans, Wayne Gilchrest of Maryland and Walter Jones of North Carolina deserted their parties longstanding principle that there can be no artificial deadline set for withdrawal and that our troops deserve nothing but our absolute support for them and the success of their mission.
Meanwhile, reports continue to flow in suggesting that the Iraq surge is WORKING! How utterly irresponsible is it that Democrats would encourage our enemies at the very moment they are on the ropes?
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