20070502 President Bush’s talking points on veto of the Iraq Supplemental

President Bush’s talking points on veto of the Iraq Supplemental

Straight To The Point:

President Bush: "It Is Time To Put Politics Behind Us And Support Our Troops With The Funds They Need"

President Bush Vetoes Iraq War Supplemental, Invites Bipartisan Congressional Leaders To White House Meeting Tomorrow "To Work To Resolve This Matter As Quickly As Possible"

"We need to give our troops all the equipment and the training and protection they need to prevail. That means that Congress needs to pass an emergency war spending bill quickly. I've invited leaders of both parties to come to the White House tomorrow and to discuss how we can get these vital funds to our troops. I am confident that with goodwill on both sides, we can agree on a bill that gets our troops the money and flexibility they need as soon as possible."

- President George W. Bush, 5/1/07

President Bush: "[M]embers of the House and the Senate passed a bill that substitutes the opinions of politicians for the judgment of our military commanders. So a few minutes ago, I vetoed this bill." "Here is why the bill Congress passed is unacceptable": (President George W. Bush, Statement On The Iraq War Supplemental, The White House, 5/1/07)

1. "First, the bill would mandate a rigid and artificial deadline for American troops to begin withdrawing from Iraq." "It makes no sense to tell the enemy when you plan to start withdrawing. ... Setting a deadline for withdrawal is setting a date for failure and that would be irresponsible."

2. "Second, the bill would impose impossible conditions on our commanders in combat." "That means American commanders in the middle of a combat zone would have to take fighting directions from politicians 6,000 miles away in Washington, D.C. This is a prescription for chaos and confusion, and we must not impose it on our troops."

3. "Third, the bill is loaded with billions of dollars in non-emergency spending that has nothing to do with fighting the war on terror." "Congress should debate these spending measures on their own merits and not as a part of an emergency funding bill for our troops."

President Bush: "The need to act is urgent. [W]hatever our differences, surely we can agree that our troops are worthy of this funding - and that we have a responsibility to get it to them without further delay."

"Without a war funding bill, the military has to take money from some other account or training program so the troops in combat have what they need."

"Without a war funding bill, the Armed Forces will have to consider cutting back on buying new equipment or repairing existing equipment."

"Without a war funding bill, we add to the uncertainty felt by our military families. Our troops and their families deserve better and their elected leaders can do better."