Now here's a tactic that won't work...
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Bush on Thursday called on Congress to approve billions of dollars in additional funding for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan before lawmakers leave for their Christmas break.
He said the Army will have to shut down bases and start furloughing between 100,000 and 200,000 civilian workers by mid-February if Congress does not clear the funds.
"Pentagon officials have warned Congress that the continued delay in funding our troops will soon begin to have a damaging impact on the operations of this department," Bush said Thursday. "The warning has been laid out for the United States Congress to hear."
Defense Secretary Robert Gates already has ordered the Army and Marine Corps to plan for cutbacks, including civilian layoffs, termination of contracts and reduced operations at bases, The Associated Press reported. ... Congress should tell Dubya "go ahead, make our day." If the DOD can't live on more than $400 billion a year, then it SHOULD cut back, just like the rest of us have to do when we go over budget. The Fiscal Year 2007 Defense Authorization Act named for Virginia Senator John Warner, and signed by Bush in October of 2006 handed the Defense Department $500 billion for military operations this year. In addition, there have been numerous supplemental "emergency funding" bills authorizing still more money for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. And yet, the president is whingeing that Bob Gates is running out of cash? What is he, a college freshman with a new credit card?
Bottom line, Bushie; use the money you've already got. If the Democrats who control the House have half a brain (and this is not verifiable at this juncture...) they will fold their arms and put away our wallet.Labels: Bush administration, Bush's wars, Department of Defense, Iraq |
