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Dems Slow-Walk Troop Funding Over $108 Billion Global Bailout Scheme
Boehner: "Americans Aren't Buying This. And I Tell You What: Republicans in the House Aren't Going to Buy It Either."
Washington
(Jun 4, 2009)
Funding for troops protecting our nation in Iraq and Afghanistan has officially been placed on hold while Democratic leaders try to secure enough Democratic votes to attach to the legislation a $108 billion global bailout for the International Monetary Fund (IMF) – a bailout that could line the pockets of terrorist regimes around the world, according to Democratic Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA). In a letter to his colleagues earlier today, Rep. Sherman warned, “We face the very real possibility that some of the world’s worst regimes will benefit from the additional resources provided to the IMF, World Bank and other international institutions, unless the U.S. works vigilantly to deny this assistance.”
An initial troop funding bill passed the House last month by an overwhelming bipartisan majority – 368-60. And the final version of that legislation could pass the House right now by an equally strong margin, giving our men and women in uniform all the tools they need for success in Iraq and Afghanistan. However, Democratic leaders seem willing to let that bipartisan coalition unravel as they barrel ahead with their global bailout scheme. The Hill has the latest:
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“House Democratic leaders won’t bring up the supplemental spending bill Friday as they scramble to come up with enough votes to pass it amid a wall of opposition from Republicans to directing money to the International Monetary Fund.”
“The bill, which includes money for a troop increase in Afghanistan, had been scheduled for a vote Friday. Leadership aides said Thursday that the vote could be held next week.”
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Let’s be clear: Washington Democrats have asked middle-class families and small businesses for far too much since the beginning of the year. The trillion-dollar “stimulus” spending bill that Vice President Biden admits is causing Americans to be “ripped off.” Another $400 billion spending bill riddled with 9,000 unscrutinized earmarks. And bailouts for GM, those who lied on their mortgage applications, and those who abused their credit cards. Should Democrats really be asking Americans – and future generations of Americans – to bankroll a global bailout too? House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) doesn’t think so. Here’s what he said about the issue in a news conference earlier today, just minutes before Democratic leaders decided to pull the plug on the troop funding bill:
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“We may be able to borrow enough money to solve America’s problems, but I guarantee you we don’t have enough money to solve the rest of the world’s problems. And going down this path is going to lead to more economic harm here.”
“Now, just think about this a moment. We’re going to provide the International Monetary Fund $108 billion that we don’t have. So we’re going to borrow $108 billion from the Chinese, we’re going to give it to the IMF, and we’re going to expect our kids and grandkids to pay for it. Americans aren’t buying this. And I tell you what: Republicans in the House aren’t going to buy it, either.”
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Our troops are performing magnificently in Iraq and Afghanistan, and they deserve the resources they need to continue their mission. House Republicans are prepared to pass a troop funding bill that is not larded up with a $108 billion global bailout – just as they did last month. How much longer are Democratic leaders willing to play politics on this issue?
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