Boehner Statement on Committee Adoption of Democrats’ “Slow Bleed” Spending Bill

Via email:

Congressman John Boehner (R-West Chester) issued the following statement after House Appropriations Committee Democrats adopted a supplemental spending package embodying their “slow-bleed” strategy for the Global War on Terror:

“Republicans believe there is only one way to do the right thing: fully-fund the troops without strings attached. We had hoped that Democrats would eventually draw the same conclusion and provide overwhelming bipartisan support for an emergency funding bill. They did not. Instead, Democrats delivered an incomprehensible spending spree – with more than $21 billion in unrelated, non-emergency spending – in what may amount to the most irresponsible and ill-conceived emergency spending bill in American history.

“Unlike their non-binding resolution a few weeks ago, Democrats are not just sending our troops a message of defeat with this bill, they are setting policies to ensure it. Setting timelines is no different from handing the enemy our war plan itself. It serves as a road map for the terrorists to plot maneuvers against American men and women in uniform. Micromanaging the war from Capitol is, by any standard or definition, a recipe for disaster.

“The American military will win this war on radical Islamic terrorism. For the safety and security of future generations of Americans, they must. Our troops have not quit on us, and Republicans will not quit on them. We will continue our fight next week on the House floor to strip this bill of the dangers it presents to American troops and to our national security.”

NOTE: The Appropriations Committee adopted the measure by a vote of 38-26, with Democratic Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) joining all Committee Republicans in opposition.

In addition, Democrats voted down an amendment by Ranking Republican Jerry Lewis (R-CA) to fully fund and support all troops in harm’s way – an amendment which reflects legislation (H.R. 511) introduced by Rep. Sam Johnson (R-TX) earlier this year.

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