WASHINGTON – President Bush on Tuesday called Democrats in Congress irresponsible for approving war funding bills that order U.S. troops to leave Iraq by certain dates. He said such efforts will backfire, keeping some troops in battle even longer. He condemned House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s trip to Syria, too.
“In a time of war, it’s irresponsible for the Democratic leadership in Congress to delay for months on end while our troops in combat are waiting for the funds,” Bush said in a Rose Garden news conference.
“The bottom line is this: Congress’ failure to fund our troops on the front lines will mean that some of our military families could wait longer for their loved ones to return from the front lines,” Bush said. “Others could see their loved ones heading back to the war sooner than they need to.”
Nearly two months ago, Bush asked for more than $100 billion to pay for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan this year. Congress has approved the money, but the Senate added a provision also calling for most U.S. combat troops to be out of Iraq by March 31, 2008. The House version demands a September 2008 withdrawal.
These bills still must be reconciled before legislation can be sent to the president.
Given his promised veto of anything containing a deadline – and the likelihood that his veto would be sustained on Capitol Hill – Bush said Democrats are merely engaging in games that “undercut the troops.”
Democrats shot back that they are the ones pursuing effective solutions overseas in response to a national desire for change from his approach.
“We are not going to allow the president to continue a failed policy in Iraq. We represent the American people’s vision on this failed war,” Senate Majority leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said. “We have said time and time again the troops will have everything they need.”
On another topic, the president took issue with a two-day stay in Syria by Pelosi that began Tuesday.
As the speaker donned a head scarf and mingled with Syrians at a mosque and a market in Damascus’ Old City, preparing for meetings today with Syrian President Bashar Assad, Bush said she was sending mixed signals.
“Photo opportunities and/or meetings with President Assad lead the Assad government to believe they’re part of the mainstream of the international community when, in fact, they’re a state sponsor of terror,” Bush said.
When she visited Lebanon on Monday, Pelosi noted that Republican lawmakers had met Assad on Sunday without comment from the Bush administration.
“I think that it was an excellent idea for them to go,” she said. “And I think it’s an excellent idea for us to go as well.”
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