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| Iraq war funding in limbo on Hill |
| 2007-04-01 |
| House and Senate negotiators won't meet to hammer out a final emergency war-funding bill until Congress' spring break ends April 16 -- a day after Pentagon officials say money starts running out for U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid balked at the deadline yesterday and cited a congressional report that showed war funds will not expire until July. "This study confirms that the president is once again attempting to mislead the public and create an artificial atmosphere of anxiety," said Mr. Reid, Nevada Democrat. "He is using scare tactics to defeat bipartisan legislation that would change course in Iraq." The report by the Congressional Research Service, the legislature's public policy research arm, said the military could temporarily bridge a funding gap by transferring money from other accounts. Democratic aides on both sides of the Capitol do not expect a bill to reach President Bush's desk until late April, after military officials say a lack of money will disrupt troop training, equipment repair and eventually prolong war-zone deployments. Mr. Bush -- who has vowed to veto the bill over its timetable for a troop withdrawal from Iraq -- is critical of lawmakers taking a spring break now but he hasn't discussed recalling them to finish the bill, a White House spokeswoman said. "The president was surprised to learn that Congress went on vacation today, and that the House didn't bother to appoint any conferees ... to help try to reconcile the differences between the Senate and the House bills," spokeswoman Dana Perino said at a press briefing. "And every day that the Congress fails to act on this request causes our military hardship and impacts readiness," she said. Republicans say they have the votes to sustain a veto, and the narrow passage of both bills indicates they can. Two-thirds of each chamber must vote to override a veto. More at link... |
| Posted by:Dave D. |
| #4 Sorry, but having seen up close and personal the long slow bleed caused by the Dems trying to cash in the "peace dividend" associated with the collapse of the Soviet Union, I know what's coming and it won't be pleasant. The services are, on average, 40% smaller now than they were in 1989. That said, when there is money for spares, fuel, ammunition, and training no other country or group of countries can stand against the US. Which is why, I guess, the Dems feel it necessary to insure that there won't be money for spares, fuel, ammunition and training, or for anything else for that matter. |
| Posted by: RWV 2007-04-01 14:07 |
| #3 RWV, the administration, will, of course, fail to mount an aggressive public affairs campaign based on what you describe. Why, that would only be educating the public on a vital national mattter while rightly rebuking and humiliating an irresponsible (sometimes insane) opposition party. Can't have that during war-time. |
| Posted by: Verlaine 2007-04-01 13:23 |
| #2 Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid balked at the deadline yesterday and cited a congressional report that showed war funds will not expire until July. Typical Dem BS. Yes, all the money won't be gone until July, but between then and now every other program or activity will be sucked dry of every uncommitted dollar. Development programs will be delayed or cancelled. Procurement programs will be delayed or cancelled. Spares will not be bought. Training will cease. These despicable bastards will gut the US military and it will take years to undo the damage done. The FCC prevents me from saying what I think about these disingenuous, dissembling traitors. |
| Posted by: RWV 2007-04-01 12:11 |
| #1 he should call them back to special session - just to f*ck with them and put a bigger spotlight on their overseas junketing/politicking while they ignore the troops' funding and pack the bill with unnecessary bribes and pork. Let them bitch and whine about it - their approval rating should end up in single digits |
| Posted by: Frank G 2007-04-01 10:31 |