I know military is less than 20% of the budget, but there's more fat on the Federal budget than there is on Michael Moore.
Posted on 11/16/2007 7:58:00 AM PST by rightinthemiddle
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate on Friday blocked a Republican proposal to pay $70 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan without strings attached.
The 53-45 vote was 15 votes short of the 60 needed to advance.
The measure was aimed at countering Democratic legislation that also would bankroll the operations, but would additionally require that troops start coming home in 30 days.
The Democratic bill, passed by the House on Wednesday, set a goal of ending combat by December 2008.
"We need to get the funds to the troops and we need to do it now," said Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said the only way to get troops the money was to approve the restrictions outlined by Democrats.
"Anything else is political posturing," said Reid.
Democrats also were expected to fall short of the 60 votes needed to advance their bill.
Reid and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said this week that if Congress cannot pass legislation that ties war money to troop withdrawals, they would not send Bush a bill this year.
Instead, they would revisit the issue upon returning in January, pushing the Pentagon to the brink of an accounting nightmare and deepening Democrats' conflict with the White House on the war.
In the meantime, Democrats say, the Pentagon can eat into its $471 billion annual budget without being forced to take drastic steps.
"The days of a free lunch are over," said Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Thursday that unless Congress passes funding for the war within days, he will direct the Army and Marine Corps to begin developing plans to lay off employees and terminate contracts early next year.
(Excerpt) Read more at ap.google.com ...
He’s in the House,not the Senate (Walsh, that is.).
You should be coming up with these here ideers dear:)
I am so distressed at what the Dims and a few truly repugnant Repuglicans are doing to harm our nation,our military and their mission..Your post made me feel a bit better. Thank you.
One of our dear friends married a recruiter for the Air Force. They live in a university city in CT and he can’t even wear his uniform to the recruitment center for fear of reprisal from students and activists. How sad is that????
Dodd voted “no” also?? That must be a typo. So he and Lieberman were the only Dems to vote that way. Even Ben Nelson votes for surrender. Pretty sad. Odd too that Nebraska has 2 votes against the war while CT has 2 in support of the troops!
Thanks for sharing that. I’m still weepy thinking about this young man. Last week I was on the subway and a young woman was talking to her friend...she was discussing some training, her hair and what she would get out of her experience. It was then that I realized she was going to the Nat’l Guard. She said—some people think I’m crazy, but my family is proud. I looked up and said—I’m proud of you, too. And started bawling. I live in Manhattan so these experiences are very rare.
“Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Thursday that unless Congress passes funding for the war within days, he will direct the Army and Marine Corps to begin developing plans to lay off employees and terminate contracts early next year.”
Start in the Democrat districts first.
FUND THE WAR. DEFUND THE PORK.
What is refusing to fund our troops while they're over there being shot at and trying to avoid ieds, Harry? What is demanding YOUR OWN MILITARY retreat or DIE, Harry? That's not just political posturing, it's STRUTTING AROUND ON THE GRAVES OF OUR SOLDIERS.
I heard Reid whining about the cost of the war to the "average American family" yesterday....well, at least we've still GOT families. What about those who lost theirs on 9/11? What about those who will lose theirs in the next terrorist attack - which is a guarantee if we retreat?? What happens to the morale of the soldiers who've fought so hard to free the people of Iraq and in many cases befriended them if we retreat? What about those Iraqis who will die as a result of us retreating?
Let’s not forget to thank the “protest voters” for getting them there in the first place.
I know military is less than 20% of the budget, but there's more fat on the Federal budget than there is on Michael Moore.
I’m fortunate to live in southwest Missouri, where those experiences are common.
It’s just more proof that liberalism is just a form of mental retardation.
Visions of that final scene from Young Frankenstien pops into my head.
That’s very disappointing about Ben Nelson. Nebraska need new Senators.
I’ve always thought Ben Nelson could switch parties without any repercussions...Nebraska is a conservative state.
I also think if Liebermann caucused with the Republicans, Hagel would join the Democrats for the remainder of his term.
When Hillary loses, Hagel could run in ‘12 as a Democrat.
“Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said the only way to get troops the money was to approve the bills where we have hidden our pork.”
I can’t stomach it anymore.
He might as well say FU to the troops. This man’s arrogance knows no bounds.
Brilliant idea.
The president needs to announce the first death caused by the failure of new money to provide a needed resource/upgrade/etc.
“Democrat Failure to Fund Troops Results in Soldier Death!” would be a show-stopping headline.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.