GOP Leader Blog
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Johnson Calls Dem Resolution "The First Step For Them to Cut Funding For Our Troops in Harm's Way"
Posted by
GOP Leader Press Office
on
February 13, 2007
At a press conference this morning, Rep. Sam Johnson (R-TX) joined House GOP Leaders in voicing opposition to the non-binding resolution by Democrats that fails to protect funding for American troops in harm’s way. Rep. Johnson is a veteran of the Vietnam War who 34 years ago today enjoyed his first full day of freedom after seven years in Vietnamese prisoner of war (POW) camp. Earlier today, House Republicans attempted to force a House vote on H.R. 511, legislation authored by Rep. Johnson that would prohibit Congress from cutting off funds for troops fighting the Global War on Terror. But House Democrats lined up behind their leadership and voted to prohibit Republicans from even bringing the Johnson bill to the floor. In his remarks, Rep. Johnson addressed Democrats’ “first step” in cutting off funding for our troops and Congress’ duty to protect American troops in combat. ON DEMOCRATS’ NON-BINDING RESOLUTION JOHNSON: “We must support our troops and stand up for them and for America. The Democrat resolution to deny success in Iraq is the first step for them to cut funding for our troops in harm's way. They won't tell you that but that's what it is.” (AUDIO) ON CONGRESS’ DUTY TO PROTECT AMERICAN TROOPS JOHNSON: “It’s up to us to protect those who protect those who protect America and the freedoms we cherish. And I just want to tell you the United States Congress, most of us, in fact all of us that vote against this, will be protecting America now and in the future.” (AUDIO) JOHNSON: “Our captors would blare horrible recordings over the loudspeaker of Americans protesting back home; tales of Americans spitting on Vietnam veterans when they came home. And I promised myself many things I would do when I returned home safely to my family, and one was that I would fight to ensure America never lets our troops down in harm’s way again. And that is what this is about.” (AUDIO) In his remarks on the House floor, Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) said “if we cut off funding for our troops and abandon Iraq, as many supporters of this non-binding resolution want to do, the consequences of our failure will be catastrophic.” You can view Boehner’s opening speech here. READ MORE:
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