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Bush criticizes Dems for blocking spending bill |
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By Ben Breier
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Posted: 07/20/07 12:08 PM [ET] |
President Bush blasted congressional Democrats on Friday for playing politics with the defense spending bill that would provide equipment upgrades and pay raises for soldiers in Iraq before taking leave during August recess.
“In February, I submitted to Congress a Defense Department spending bill for the upcoming fiscal year that will provide funds to upgrade our equipment for our troops in Iraq and provides a pay raise for our military,” the president said in the White House Rose Garden.
Instead of passing his spending bill, the president said, “Democratic leaders chose to have a political debate on a precipitous withdrawal of our troops from Iraq.”
Bush called on Congress to use the remaining time before the August recess to pass the spending bill.
“Congress still has an opportunity to do right by our men and women in uniform — and national security,” the president said. “So today, I call on Congress to take action and get this vital piece of legislation for me to sign — on budget, and on time.”
The speech came after a meeting with representatives of 10 military organizations who met with the president to discuss the implementation of the surge and other recent efforts in Iraq.
“In our discussions, these folks had a message that all of us in Washington need to hear: It is time to rise above partisanship, stand behind our troops in the field and give them everything they need to succeed,” Bush said.
In addition, Bush also called for Congress to give troops time to execute their new strategy, citing recent successes in Anbar province and the capture of an al Qaeda leader as reasons to proceed with the line of attack led by General David Petraeus.
“These successes demonstrate the gains our troops are making in Iraq, and the importance of giving our military the time they need to give their new strategy a chance to work,” Bush said.
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