If all goes as planned, the first session of the 110th Congress will end next week, but Congress still hasn’t finalized emergency funding for U.S. troops in Iraq and Afganistan. That reality continues to irritate President Bush.
“Congress has had plenty of time to consider the emergency funds our troops need. Time is running out,” Bush said in his weekly radio address. “And Pentagon officials say that continued delay in funding our troops will soon begin to have a damaging impact on the operations of our military. Congress’ responsibility is clear: They must deliver vital funds for our troops — and they must do it before they leave for Christmas.”
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California focused on a completely different subject in the Democratic address: energy legislation passed by her chamber. She touted provisions to improve fuel-efficiecy standards for vehicles and to foster the U.S. biofuels industry, among other things. The goal is to make the United States less dependent on foreign oil as an energy source.
“Our energy bill will strengthen our national security, protect consumers from spiraling energy prices, create jobs, and meet our moral obligation to preserve our planet for future generations,” Pelosi said. “It will tell the world that America is prepared to become a leader in addressing the global climate crisis.”
President Bush today outlined a legislative wish list for Congress to address between now and Christmas once lawmakers return to work next week, and emergency funding for U.S. troops is at the top of the list.
Bush warned that Defense Secretary Robert Gates is prepared to layoff civilian Defense Department employees, terminate contracts and reduce operations at other U.S. bases across the globe if necessary to give U.S. troops in Afghanistan and Iraq what they need until Congress provides enough money. “Military leaders have told us what they need to do their job,” he said in his weekly radio address. “It is time for the Congress to do its job and give our troops what they need to protect America.”
The president’s other priorities include an update to and extension of the law that governs anti-terrorism surveillance, a change to the alternative minimum tax that is aimed at ensuring that all Americans pay at least some taxes, and finalizing a fiscal 2008 budget that isn’t loaded with “earmarks and pork-barrel spending.”
Rep. Thelma Drake today accused Democrats in Congress of playing politics with the fiscal 2008 budget for the Veterans Affairs Department.
Drake, R-Va., noted in the House Republicans’ weekly radio address that both the House and Senate have passed a bill that would boost VA spending by $6.7 billion but have not sent a final version to President Bush. She blasted Democrats for adjourning early for a two-week Thanksgiving break without finalizing the measure because they want to “use it as a vehicle to pass billions in unrelated spending and advance a political agenda.”
“The Democratic leadership’s scheme to hold veterans hostage is a dangerous and irresponsible precedent that should be stopped dead in its tracks before it becomes standard operating procedure in Washington,” Drake said.
As America prepares for another Veterans’ Day on Monday, President Bush today urged Congress to act on two bills aimed at meeting the needs of soldiers who have served the country in the past.
He also scolded lawmakers for delays in sending him the annual bill to fund the Veterans Affairs Department. “The best way members of Congress can give thanks to our veterans is to send me a clean bill that I can sign into law,” Bush said, adding that lawmakers need to quickly confirm James Peake as the next head of the VA.
Rep. Joe Sestak of Pennsylvania, a former three-star admiral, delivered the Democratic address, touting the Democratic-led Congress’ record on veterans’ issues. He noted that the spending bill would boost the VA’s budget by $6.7 billion, including more money for mental health and post-traumatic stress disorder.
“Democrats have also expanded resources for traumatic brain injury and research and rehabilitation while extending from two to four years, following discharge from the military, the eligibility period to receive medical care by the Veterans Administration,” Sestak said. “And we added thousands of VA case workers to reduce unconscionable delays in getting veterans the care they need.”
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