Boozman: Stop Playing Games with Troops
Press Release
Calls latest vote another "desperate attempt" to placate fringe
U.S. Representative John Boozman (R-AR) today called the latest vote to withhold funding from America's military an attempt by the House leadership to payback political interest groups.
"This is yet another desperate attempt by the leadership to placate the fringe elements of their base and ignore the progress the American military has made in Iraq," Boozman said. "This a fully-funded withdrawal which reflects the my way or the highway' mentality that does not take the reality of the situation on the ground into account and again attempts to leave the mission and the men out to dry."
As recently as Tuesday morning, the New York Times reported that one combat brigade is set to return home as other organizations have reported reductions in military and civilian casualties, as well as a reduction in insurgent attacks. Additionally, in the November 13, 2007, edition of The Politico, it was reported that Congressional Democrats have forced 40 votes on limiting the administration's war power. Only one has made it to the President's desk, which was eventually vetoed.
"What we are seeing, and that includes House members from both parties, is the success of the mission that we assigned General [David] Petraeus to carry out," Boozman continued. "The administration has changed its policies, based on the recommendations of the commanders in theater. It would seem, however, that the House leadership is reticent to change its policies and would rather listen to the recommendations of its political masters who have not received payment on forty other occasions.
"The truly frustrating aspect of this latest episode of political theater is that it is taking place against the backdrop of a veterans funding bill, containing important increases in health benefits, which has been collecting dust for nearly five months despite repeated pleas from a bipartisan group of congressman and the President," Boozman added.
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