Bush's choice on funding the troops By Robert Byrd and David Obey,

Bush's choice on funding the troops

By Robert Byrd and David Obey, Tue Apr 17, 5:00 AM ET

Washington - The time has come for
Iraq. The president has two fundamental choices: He can demonstrate real leadership by reaching across party lines to establish common ground on a strategy for ending US involvement in Iraq's civil war, or he can continue to divide the country by clinging to his failed policy.
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In the days ahead, Congress will send Mr. Bush legislation that provides funding for our troops and urgent priorities facing our nation. Our bill will supply vital resources for our soldiers in the field, and it will strengthen medical care for those returning from war and our veterans.

The president has claimed - falsely - that Congress is somehow delaying funding for our troops. In fact, we have moved forward with this emergency supplemental on a faster timetable than the previous requests passed by the Republican-controlled 109th Congress. The president will have this legislation on his desk before the end of the month. It will be his choice, then, whether to hold up these funds with a veto or to sign the bill into law.

The bill will not cut funds for our troops. Congress will provide nearly $100 billion for our women and men in uniform. It will provide our troops with body armor and specialized armored vehicles, which the administration has failed to do. We will strengthen and improve healthcare for our troops and veterans, which the administration has not done. And Congress will craft a responsible strategy for the Iraqis to take control of their own nation. Congress will insist on greater accountability and responsibility both from the Bush administration and the Iraqi government.

When has this bunch shown responsibility or accountability ,we need clear and. COMPREHENSIVE definitions of both.