http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/27948Kucinich: The President Demands That Congress Support The Troops
Submitted by davidswanson on Tue, 2007-10-23 13:31. Congress
The Best Way Is To Bring Them Home Now
WASHINGTON, D.C. (October 22, 2007) — Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) rejected President Bush’s challenge to Members of Congress to show their support for the troops by appropriating $46 billion to fund the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“The President believes that you support the troops by keeping them in Iraq. I believe that support the troops by bringing them home as fast as possible,” Kucinich said.
Kucinich has introduced HR 1234, a plan for the United States to use existing money to bring the troops and necessary equipment home and transition to an international security and peacekeeping force. All troops would be out of Iraq three months after HR 1234’s enactment.
Bush asked Congress for an additional $46 billion, bringing the total war funding request for 2008 to $196.4 billion.
“Equating support for the troops with funding to continue the war is cheap political rhetoric. Americans have made it very clear that they want the troops out of Iraq. This money will only keep them there indefinitely.
“Nearly 4,000 Americans have died and an estimated one million innocent Iraqis have perished in an unjust and unnecessary war. How much more carnage has to go on before the President considers supporting the troops by bringing them home?” Kucinich asked.
“We do not have to fund the war. The Democratic leadership must tell the President NO to any additional funding. No legislation is required. No vote is required. We have the money to bring the troops home. It does not require a vote. The only thing required is honesty, integrity and a willingness to end the war,” Kucinich said.