HEADS UP: Bush threatened to veto $87 billion b/c it gave funding to vets

[WilliamPitt]

For Immediate Release
August 5, 2004


BUSH THREATENED TO VETO THE $87 BILLION BEFORE HE USED IT AS A POLITICAL
CUDGEL

Kerry spokesman Phil Singer said: George Bush can't be straight about
his own record, let alone anyone else's. The fact is that George Bush
twice threatened to veto this bill over the fact that it provided
funding to veterans and reservists. As a combat veteran, John Kerry
knows that you don't give a President a blank check to continue a failed
policy, especially when our security and the lives of our men and women
in uniform are at stake.

BUSH THREATENED TO VETO $87 BILLION SUPPLEMENTAL OVER ADDITIONAL FUNDING
FOR RESERVISTS AND VETERANS. As part of the $87 billion emergency
supplemental appropriations for security and reconstruction in Iraq and
Afghanistan in 2003, the Senate passed an amendment that provided an
additional $1.3 billion for improved medical benefits for reservists and
veterans. OMB Director Josh Bolten wrote to the Congressional
Appropriations' Committees, stating, "The Administration strongly
opposes these provisions, including Senate provisions that would
allocate an additional $1.3 billion for VA medical care and the
provision that would expand benefits under the TRICARE Program. ...If
this provision is not removed, the President's senior advisors would
recommend that he veto the bill." http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,100777,00.html; BVA legislative
bulletin, http://www.bva.org/aut03bulletin/l_update.html; CQ, 10/20/03]

BUSH THREATENED TO VETO $87 BILLION PACKAGE ON ISSUE OF ALLOCATING
GRANTS OR LOANS TO IRAQIS. "Key senators reversed course yesterday and
voted to make an $18.4 billion reconstruction package for Iraq entirely
in the form of grants rather than loans, as House-Senate negotiators
worked their way through President Bush's $87 billion request for
military and rebuilding operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The 16 to 13
vote represented a significant victory for Bush, who had threatened to
veto the bill if Congress insisted on making Iraq repay some of the
money."

[genius]

1. I remember that. He didn't want to be forced to use it the right way

[blm]

3. And now how many billions of dollars are UNaccounted for in Iraq?

Bush wanted to make sure his cronies got their share of unaccounted for cash and he needed the veterans to go without to get that money into Iraq so it could disappear.

[genius]

6. Exactly. And he has the nerve to go after Kerry.

[WilliamPitt]

2. .

[NewYorkerfromMass]

5. No faith Will. blm was there to kick it

and now I'll give it one!

[redqueen]

4. .

:kick:

[wicket]

7. They're going for the jugular!

I love it!!!! :D

[nickgutierrez]

8. I guess this shoots a hole in the 'support the troops' mantra?

[WilliamPitt]

10. And the "Kerry voted against the troops" mantra

[nickgutierrez]

16. Question:

Is 'this' version of the $87 billion the same version that Kerry voted for?

[blm]

14. IWhen Bush pulls out this talking point during the debates, Kerry will

pulverize him publicly.

[nickgutierrez]

15. A week ago, I might have doubed this

Now, I have no doubt that this is true. Kerry has done a nice job of taking the high road while at the same time unleashing some rather powerful attacks on Bush, including some things I didn't think he would bring up.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

9. Of course the Repub echo machine has seamlessly moved right onto "not so

swift" vets now. Both of these (87 Billion, and swift vet smear) need to be addressed simultaneously.

[catmandu57]

11. And they've burned right through that 87 bil

and are shaking like a junkie for more $'s now.

[Keirsey]

13. spread the word

Need to find veteran and military forums/boards to get this information out.

I only know of soc.veterans at Google.

[Walt Starr]

12. DAMN STRAIGHT!

Every attack from teh Busheviks is being met with strong resistance and counter insurgency!

WTG, JOHN KERRY!!!! A TRUE WARRIOR AND A TRUE HERO!!!!

[Rockholm]

17. FLIP FLOP BUSH at it again.

[sandnsea]

18. AND, they still don't HAVE the body armor

Hello. Am I in a tunnel here? The defense budget for 2005, just signed, includes money for body armor and armor for Humvees. Why didn't Bush use the money from the $87 billion for body armor??? Who is the one who is really not supporting our troops?

[Geo55]

19. Interesting part of the article

"The Administration is also concerned that both versions of the bill contain

numerous burdensome and duplicative reporting

requirements. The Administration appreciates Congress' concern with transparency and will work with Congress to ensure that the final bill establishes an appropriate reporting and accountability regime."

Oh those BURDENSOME requirements to explain just where & how the F'ing loot is being stolen.

[WilliamPitt]

20. .

[WilliamPitt]

21. !