Congress battles over conditional war funds

Congress battles over conditional war funds
By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Nov 6, 2007 12:57:11 EST

A decision by Democratic congressional leaders to place strings on continued funding for the war in Iraq is drawing sharp Republican criticism.

The plan, unveiled Tuesday as negotiators were putting final touches on the $459.6 billion 2008 defense appropriations bill, calls for Congress to approve additional war funding in two- to six-month increments, with limitations aimed at forcing a complete withdrawal of U.S. combat troops by Christmas 2008.

Details of the restrictions are still being discussed, but Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, is howling mad, accusing Democrats of denying money to support troops in combat.

“It is a political ploy to try end the war by starving the troops,” said Stevens, the former chairman and now ranking Republican on the Senate defense appropriations subcommittee. “It just makes no sense.”

Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., the House defense appropriations subcommittee chairman, said Stevens is exaggerating the potential impact.

“We have always taken care of the troops, we are always going to take care of the troops,” Murtha said. “Nobody is going to starve. Nobody is going to be doing without fuel or bullets or body armor. The public wants this war over with. The public is all over us for not ending the war.”


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/11/military_iraqfunding_071106w/



uhc comment: Hey Teddy! Your tubes must be clogged. I'm glad Murtha at least acknowledges that 'the public is all over us'.