Bush Threatens Veto of Strong Bipartisan Defense Authorization Bill

Floor Speech

BUSH THREATENS VETO OF STRONG BIPARTISAN DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BILL -- (House of Representatives - May 23, 2007)

(Mr. PERLMUTTER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute.)

Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, President Bush says he supports our troops, but his actions last week refute those claims, and his actions speak louder than his words.

Last Thursday, this House voted overwhelmingly, by 397-27, to support a defense authorization bill that gives our troops a much-deserved 3.5 percent raise, a lot less than the contractors from Halliburton are getting, contractors that the President has farmed out much of the war in Iraq to, but still a 3.5 percent raise.

Incredibly, the President has threatened to veto the bill. Two of the reasons he gave for his opposition are the pay raise and benefits to survivors. By threatening to veto this bill, how exactly is our President supporting our troops? Well, he is not.

Over the last 5 years, the President has asked much of our military. Extended deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan have strained our Active military and National Guard and their families. This Congress overwhelmingly said we should reward our troops. If the President really wants to support our troops, he will sign the bill.

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