VFW: Troops Need Funds, Not Further Debate
WASHINGTON, Oct. 23, 2007--Congress' nonchalant attitude towards President Bush's war funding request yesterday is not what the national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. expected from a wartime Congress."Our nation is at war, yet congressional leaders would rather continue to debate the administration's policies than fulfill their obligation to support the troops with adequate and timely funding," said George Lisicki, a Vietnam combat veteran from Carteret, N.J.
“Our men and women in uniform are doing everything within their power to succeed in Afghanistan and Iraq,” he said. “Their families are keeping the home front functioning so that their loved ones can stay mission focused. The administration has new military leadership with a new plan that is working. The only part of the team that isn’t pulling its weight in this war is Congress.”
The new funding request for $196.4 billion is in addition to the Defense Department’s fiscal year 2008 budget, which is among the 12 major spending bills that the House and Senate have approved separately but have yet to consolidate for the president’s signature. The federal government’s new fiscal year began Oct. 1. It is currently operating on a temporary stopgap measure that expires Nov. 16.
The media is reporting that House and Senate leadership will wait until next year before advancing the president’s new request, the bulk of which would go to DOD. The funds would purchase 7,200 new mine-resistant vehicles, fill equipment shortfalls, repair damaged equipment, enhance roadside bomb countermeasures, and fund military construction projects, as well as improve medical and rehabilitation programs for wounded Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.
On Monday, President Bush said, “I know some in Congress are against the war [in Iraq] and are seeking ways to demonstrate that opposition. I recognize their position – and they should make their views heard – but they ought to make sure our troops have what it takes to succeed.”
The VFW’s national commander, who met with the president yesterday on this topic, agrees.
“Every day in Iraq is better than the day before,” said Lisicki. “A stable and secure environment is allowing their economy to bounce back, and that is bringing political reconciliation. Our troops have done everything asked of them under the most difficult of conditions. All they are asking from the U.S. Congress is for a chance to finish the job.”
Labels: VFW News
posted by Greg @ 6:24 AM
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