GOP Leader Blog

Dem Leaders Feared Loss on GOP Proposal to Prevent Congress From Cutting Off Funding For America's Troops in Harm's Way
Posted by GOP Leader Press Office on February 13, 2007

Less than one week after promising Republicans the ability to offer an alternative during the Iraq debate, Democrats reversed course and refused to allow the House to vote on a Republican measure that would prohibit Congress from cutting off funds to the troops while they’re in harm’s way.

Why wouldn’t Democrats allow the GOP proposal to come to the floor? As the Associated Press reports, Democrats acknowledged they would lose the vote:

“Given a chance, many Democrats in the House of Representatives might support a resolution committing Congress to continue paying for U.S. troops in Iraq. Afraid that might muddle their message opposing President George W. Bush's Iraq policy, party leaders are not giving their rank and file the opportunity.

“As the House opens debate on a symbolic resolution to register opposition to Bush's troop buildup, Democrats are set to prevent Republicans from offering their own version. The fear is that a Republican alternative resolution could expose a potentially messy divide within Democratic ranks over whether to cut off or restrict payments for troops on the ground.”

As statements by their leaders have already signaled, after their Iraq resolution passes Democrats will begin moving legislation to systematically cut off funding for America’s troops. Today’s Washington Post includes another such statement from yet another Democrat:

“‘It’s only the bark,’ Rep. James P. Moran Jr. (D-Va.) said of this week’s resolution. ‘The real bite comes with the spending bill.’”

This resolution is the first step in the Democrats’ plan to cut off funding for American troops who are in harm’s way. If Democrats are serious about supporting our troops, they would allow Republicans to offer an alternative that ensures Congress never wavers in our commitment to fund the American men and women in uniform.

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