Washblog

So just what would George W. Bush veto?

Obviously, you must begin with the original $97 BILLION in direct support for the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"...I will veto it if it comes to my desk." - George W. Bush

In addition this supplemental adds $1 BILLION to the Defense Department request to address the rising conflict in Afghanistan (where the Taliban and Al Qaida are increasing their base of power), $2.8 BILLION for Defense Health Care (which is $1.7 BILLION above the President's request.), adds $1.7 BILLION to the request for veterans health care, and provides $2.5 BILLION, in additional funding for the Strategic Reserve Readiness fund to ensure that our troops are properly equipped and trained.
"...I will veto it if it comes to my desk." - George W. Bush

And just why might George W. Bush veto neccessary funds for our troops? Well, again from his prepared remarks:

"The purpose of the emergency war spending bill I requested was to provide our troops with vital funding.(see above, TLS) 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". (Emphasis TLS)

And just what are these "rigid restrictions"?

*Unit Readiness.
Requires the Defense Department to abide by its current policy, requiring the chief of the military department concerned to determine that a unit is "fully mission capable" before it is deployed to Iraq. The President may waive this provision by submitting a report to Congress detailing why the unit's deployment is in the interests of national security despite the assessment that the unit is not fully mission capable.

*Length of Deployment.
Requires the Defense Department to abide by its current policy and avoid extending the deployment of units in Iraq in excess of 365 days for the Army and 210 days for the Marines. The President may waive this provision by submitting a report to Congress detailing the particular reason or reasons why the unit's extended deployment is in the interests of national security.

*Time Between Deployments.
Requires the Defense Department to abide by its current policy and avoid sending units back into Iraq before troops get the required "time out of the combat zone" and training time (365 days for the Army and 210 days for the Marines). The President may waive this provision by submitting a report to Congress detailing why the unit's early redeployment to Iraq is in the interests of national security.

Now I'm not sure which "army of lawyers" George was referring to but I would submit that it would simply require the military's own staff to interpret their own regulations that ensure our troops receive the respect and support they deserve.
"...I will veto it if it comes to my desk." - George W. Bush

Now, granted, there are some things in this bill that George has a problem with; things that would actually require him to perfom his duties as Commander in Chief and accept accountability for his policies and statements. For instance, this bill demands that the Iraqi government meet the benchmarks set out by the Bush Administration with regard to Iraqi troop deployments and ties them to dates for the reduction and eventual removal of American forces. The bill holds Bush to his statement that American military involvement in Iraq is not "open ended" and sets an ultimate date for withdrawal of American forces. This bill contains language that prohibits any permanent American military bases in Iraq; something that Bush has said repeatedly and yet the same language seems to mysteriously disappear from every other appropirations bill before it reaches Bush's desk.

So after four years of Bush insisting that not voting for his mindless blank checks would show Democrats lacking in support for our troops he is faced with a choice. Mr. Bush, here is your money; strings and all. What is your answer?
"...I will veto it if it comes to my desk." - George W. Bush

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue