Boehner: Congress Should Complete Work on Clean Troop Funding Bill Before Leaving Town for Two-Week Break

Via email:

Congressman John Boehner (R-West Chester) issued the following statement after House GOP members met with President Bush today to discuss the need for Congress to complete work on a clean troop funding bill before Congress adjourns:

“Our troops in harm’s way do not have the luxury of taking a two-week break. Until Congress passes a clean troop funding bill that supports our men and women in uniform, neither should we. Today House Democrats will vote to impose the largest tax increase in American history and then leave town without passing a clean funding bill that gives American troops the resources they need. American troops deserve a clean bill, without unrelated spending and free of strings that undermine their mission. Anything less is an exercise in partisan futility and a disservice to the troops.

“This morning House Republicans engaged in a very productive dialogue with the President, and we stand by his veto threat on the pork and retreat strategy advanced by Democrats. Decisions about the war should be made by the generals on the ground in Iraq , not by politicians in Congress, and there is no excuse for larding up this measure with billions in pork at the expense of our troops. Republicans will continue to stand united in support of our troops, in defense of future generations of Americans, and opposed to any legislation that jeopardizes either one.”