HOUSE Republican Leader John Boehner

Democrats “Giving the President More [Surrender & Pork] Than He Asked For”

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) claimed in a press conference yesterday that the Democrats’ surrender bill “gives the President more than he asked for.”

Indeed, the President never asked Democrats to limit General Petraeus’ ability to fight the Global War on Terror.

The President never asked Democrats to tie troop funding to unrealistic conditions and timelines.

The President never asked Democrats for a surrender date.

The President never asked Democrats for money for salmon fisheries.

Yes, it looks as though Democrats have in fact given the President “more than he asked for.” They gave him so much he didn’t ask for that he will now veto this measure as soon as Democrats are finished stalling. Then, perhaps, the House and Senate can get to work on a clean troop funding bill that gives our troops and our generals the resources they need to succeed in the Global War on Terror.

In a press conference yesterday, House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) said that if Democrats bring a clean troop funding bill to the floor, House Republicans will support it:

“There is a bipartisan majority in the Congress – in the House and Senate – to support our troops without conditions, without surrender dates, and without all of the excess spending we see in this bill. And I can tell you this: if Democrat leaders do the right thing, I can promise that Republicans will be there to support them to get this bill to the President’s desk as soon as possible – a bill that he can sign that will in fact support our troops that are in harm’s way.” (AUDIO)

Congress should immediately move to pass a clean troop funding bill that gives our soldiers the resources they need to succeed in the Global War on Terror.

READ MORE:

• Work Should Begin Now on a Clean Troop Funding Bill (4/26/07)
• Out of Context: Dem Leaders Twist Words of Petraeus, Gates (04/26/2007)
• Off Message: Dem Leader Admits al Qaeda Is A “Very Significant Presence” in Iraq (04/25/07)
• Pelosi Urges Congress to “Listen to the Generals,” Skips Meeting With Generals (4/25/07)
• Only in Washington: Democrats Think They’re Better Generals Than the Generals (4/24/07)
• Dems Compromise National Security With New Surrender Date (4/24/07)
• As Petraeus Plans Visit, Reid Tells Al Qaeda Victory is Theirs (4/23/07)

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Work Should Begin Now on a Clean Troop Funding Bill

Now that House and Senate Democrats have approved a bill that shamefully ties critical troop funding to a series of arbitrary conditions and timelines, Democrats are purposely delaying sending that bill to the President. Why? So they can score cheap political points at the expense of American troops in harm’s way.

If Democrats are serious about supporting our troops, they will send their surrender bill to the President immediately for his veto so the real work can begin on a clean troop funding bill.

A CLEAN BILL WILL NOT TIE TROOP FUNDING TO ARBITRARY CONDITIONS

Democrats claim they want “benchmarks.” But benchmarks, by definition, are used to measure progress so that adjustments can be recommended periodically – based on results – to improve weaknesses and build upon strengths. Benchmarks are designed to foster success. What Democrats have actually authored and supported are a series of unrealistic conditions and timelines that choke off resources for our troops and force them to withdraw by an arbitrary date. Democrats have purposely written a bill that limits General Petraeus’ ability to fight the war in a cynical effort designed to ensure America’s failure.

A CLEAN BILL WILL NOT TIE TROOP FUNDING TO A SURRENDER DATE

Democrats claim they want to “change course” – what they are really doing is giving a road map to al Qaeda who, as House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) admitted yesterday, has a “very significant presence” in Iraq. Giving terrorists a timeline for our withdrawal from Iraq is one of the surest ways to jeopardize America’s long-term national security.

A CLEAN BILL WILL NOT TIE TROOP FUNDING TO EXCESS SPENDING

Democrats like Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-NY) have openly admitted they “don’t have the votes” to pass an emergency war supplemental, and so resorted to buying votes with billions in unrelated spending. The bill passed by the House and Senate was loaded with billions of dollars unrelated to the war, including $1.85 billion for crop production losses, $20 million for an emergency conservation program, and $60.4 million for salmon fisheries.

In a press conference today, House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) said that if Democrats bring a clean troop funding bill to the floor, House Republicans will support it:

“There is a bipartisan majority in the Congress – in the House and Senate – to support our troops without conditions, without surrender dates, and without all of the excess spending we see in this bill. And I can tell you this: if Democrat leaders do the right thing, I can promise that Republicans will be there to support them to get this bill to the President’s desk as soon as possible – a bill that he can sign that will in fact support our troops that are in harm’s way.” (AUDIO)

Congress should immediately move to pass a clean troop funding bill that gives our soldiers the resources they need to succeed in the Global War on Terror.

READ MORE:

• Out of Context: Dem Leaders Twist Words of Petraeus, Gates (04/26/2007)
• Off Message: Dem Leader Admits al Qaeda Is A “Very Significant Presence” in Iraq (04/25/07)
• Pelosi Urges Congress to “Listen to the Generals,” Skips Meeting With Generals (4/25/07)
• Only in Washington: Democrats Think They’re Better Generals Than the Generals (4/24/07)
• Dems Compromise National Security With New Surrender Date (4/24/07)
• As Petraeus Plans Visit, Reid Tells Al Qaeda Victory is Theirs (4/23/07)
• Reid to Al Qaeda: You Win (4/20/07)

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Out of Context: Dem Leaders Twist Words of Petraeus, Gates

Democrats have repeatedly cited two specific quotes from General David Petraeus and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates in a shameless effort to bolster an already weak case for surrender dates. The frequently used quotations would leave one with the false impression that the General and Secretary somehow support Democrats’ plan to hamstring America’s troops and undermine our generals. Unfortunately, this impression is not just highly misleading, it makes little sense.

PETRAEUS SAYS “MILITARY ACTION IS NECESSARY”

Take last night when House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD), who was on the House floor supporting the Dems’ slow-bleed strategy, selectively quoted General Petraeus saying, “there is no military solution to a problem like that in Iraq.”

Left on its own that line packs a punch. But in the same press conference from which Democrats cherry-picked that quote, General Petraeus actually insisted that in order to succeed in Iraq:

“Military action is necessary to help improve security…”

In other words, Petraeus’ new strategy requires political, diplomatic, and military force alike to succeed. Democrats mistakenly want to abandon the military component, which Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) says is “lost.” David Broder took this mindset to task in a column for the Washington Post this morning:

“Instead of reinforcing the important proposition … that a military strategy for Iraq is necessary but not sufficient to solve the myriad political problems of that country, Reid has mistakenly argued that the military effort is lost but a diplomatic-political strategy can still succeed.”

GATES CALLS DEMOCRATS’ SURRENDER DATES “A BAD MISTAKE”

This same style of selective quoting has been applied to Secretary Gates, whom Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD), Democratic Caucus Chairman Rahm Emanuel (D-IL) and Appropriations Chairman David Obey (D-WI) have all quoted saying, “the strong feelings expressed in the Congress about the timetables probably has had a positive impact…in terms of communicating to the Iraqis that this is not an open-ended commitment.” But in his very next sentence, Secretary Gates said:

“That said, I’ve been pretty clear that I think the enactment of specific deadlines would be a bad mistake.”

There is a big difference between expressing “strong feelings” and actually voting to undermine the mission of American troops fighting the Global War on Terror. Democrats crossed that line last night when they voted for the “specific deadlines” Secretary Gates says are “a bad mistake.”

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) said in a statement that “the President should carefully consider the views of his Secretary of Defense in making judgment on this legislation.” House Republicans agree with the sentiment, and believe Congress should immediately move to pass a clean troop funding bill that gives our soldiers the resources they need to succeed in the Global War on Terror.

READ MORE:

• Off Message: Dem Leader Admits al Qaeda Is A “Very Significant Presence” in Iraq (04/25/07)
• Pelosi Urges Congress to “Listen to the Generals,” Skips Meeting With Generals (4/25/07)
• Only in Washington: Democrats Think They’re Better Generals Than the Generals (4/24/07)
• Dems Compromise National Security With New Surrender Date (4/24/07)
• As Petraeus Plans Visit, Reid Tells Al Qaeda Victory is Theirs (4/23/07)
• Reid to Al Qaeda: You Win (4/20/07)
• Fun & Games: Dems Delay Troop Funding, Joke About It (4/19/07)

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Off Message: Dem Leader Admits al Qaeda Is A “Very Significant Presence” in Iraq

The House is set to vote on the Democrats’ surrender bill tonight. All along, Democrats have based their support for retreating from the Global War on Terror almost entirely on their belief that there is no al Qaeda presence in Iraq. In fact, Rep. John Murtha (D-PA), one of the principal architects of the slow-bleed strategy to choke off funding for our troops and force a withdrawal, has said there is “No al Qaeda connection” in Iraq.

In a statement just released by House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD), you’d think he agrees with Murtha. In it he says Republicans are being “disingenuous” for wanting to give our troops the resources needed to fight al Qaeda:

“The Administration and Congressional Republicans now disingenuously claim that the fight in Iraq is primarily against Al Qaeda.”

But at a press conference following the briefing by General Petraeus that was inexplicably skipped by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Hoyer suddenly acknowledged that – yes – al Qaeda does in fact have a “very significant presence” in Iraq. Hoyer said:

“Al Qaeda is obviously a very significant presence at this point in time.” (AUDIO)

In his briefing today, General Petraeus discussed with lawmakers the progress American troops are making in rallying local forces to join the fight against al Qaeda. In his press conference following the briefings with the House and Senate, Petraeus elaborated:

“I also pointed out the progress in Anbar province which has been substantial. As you know, literally over the last two months, Anbar has gone – or certainly over the last six months – from being assessed as being lost to a situation that now is quite heartening because of the decision by a number of Sunni Arab tribes to join the fight against Al Qaida, saying ‘No more, they’ve had it’ and linking arms with the coalition to take on Al Qaida in one city after another…”

House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) reported on the briefing with General Petraeus, acknowledging – as did Mr. Hoyer in his remarks – the fight we face with al Qaeda in Iraq:

“When you look at the challenges we’re facing — al Qaeda, [General Petraeus] made clear, continues to make [Iraq] the central front in their war with us. And I would remind everyone that we didn’t start this war with al Qaeda — they started it.” (AUDIO)

If al Qaeda has a “very significant presence” in Iraq, as Hoyer said and Petraeus confirmed, why are Democrats undermining our generals and handcuffing our troops doing battle with al Qaeda terrorists?

Once the President vetoes Democrats’ surrender bill, Congress should immediately move to pass a clean troop funding bill that gives our soldiers the resources they need to succeed in the Global War on Terror.

READ MORE:

• Pelosi Urges Congress to “Listen to the Generals,” Skips Meeting With Generals (4/25/07)
• Only in Washington: Democrats Think They’re Better Generals Than the Generals (4/24/07)
• Dems Compromise National Security With New Surrender Date (4/24/07)
• As Petraeus Plans Visit, Reid Tells Al Qaeda Victory is Theirs (4/23/07)
• Reid to Al Qaeda: You Win (4/20/07)
• Fun & Games: Dems Delay Troop Funding, Joke About It (4/19/07)

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Democrats’ Surrender Bill Still Loaded With Extra Spending

Republicans forced Democrats to abandon their plans to include funding for spinach farmers, funding for Christmas tree farms, and other pork-barrel projects in their Iraq surrender bill. But an analysis reveals that the new version of the bill is still loaded with extra spending that has absolutely nothing to do with American troops or veterans.

The latest version of the Democrats’ Iraq surrender bill includes taxpayer subsidies for production of everything from cows and pigs to salmon and dairy products. Much of this extra spending was not included in the original House-passed bill and has not been debated by the House. And all of it would be passed on the backs of American troops who are putting their lives on the line for our freedom overseas.

House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH), who argues the extra spending should be debated separately from the troop funding bill, today criticized the Democrats’ legislation:

“This bill should be about giving General Petraeus and our troops the resources and support they need to complete their mission and return home safely. Instead it does exactly the opposite. This bill pulls the rug out from under our troops and commanders, forces them to surrender, and insults them by exploiting them to pass billions of dollars in additional Washington spending. The President cannot veto this bill soon enough.”

The Democrats’ troop funding bill includes billions in non-military spending, including:

• $1.85 billion for crop production losses.
• $1.4 billion for livestock production losses.
• $20 million for Dairy Production Losses.
• $33 million for Livestock Indemnity Program.
• $21 million for emergency grants to low-income migrant and seasonal farm workers (Small Business Economic Loss Grant program).
• $20 million for emergency conservation program.
• $115 million for the conservation security program.
• $18 million for drought assistance in upper Great Plains/South West
• $31 million for one month extension of Milk Income Loss Contract program (MILC) – increasing farm spending by $2.4 billion over the next ten years.
• $60.4 million for salmon fisheries in the Klamath Basin region.
• $12 million for forest service money.
• $67.5 million for Salaries and Expenses for Farm Service Agency.
• $425 million for education grants for rural areas – (Secure Rural Schools program).
• $400 million for LIHEAP.
• $50 million for asbestos abatement at the Capitol Power Plant.
• $682.9 million for funding for backlog of old Department of Transportation projects.
• $500 million for wildland fire management.
• $13 million for mine safety technology research.
• $10 million for historic preservation fund.
• $35 million for NASA risk mitigation projects.

READ MORE:

• Pelosi Urges Congress to “Listen to the Generals,” Skips Meeting With Generals (4/25/07)
• Only in Washington: Democrats Think They’re Better Generals Than the Generals (4/24/07)
• Dems Compromise National Security With New Surrender Date (4/24/07)
• As Petraeus Plans Visit, Reid Tells Al Qaeda Victory is Theirs (4/23/07)
• Reid to Al Qaeda: You Win (4/20/07)
• Fun & Games: Dems Delay Troop Funding, Joke About It (4/19/07)

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Pelosi Urges Congress to “Listen to the Generals,” Skips Meeting With Generals

Democratic leaders have made a sport out of declaring the Global War on Terror “lost” even as they duck non-partisan briefings provided by the top commander in Iraq, General David Petraeus. Today, sadly, is no exception.

Last night, ABC News reported that Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has decided to skip today’s briefing by General Petraeus for all House members, Republican and Democrat. The decision comes days after Democratic leaders initially declined the Defense Department’s offer of a members-only, classified briefing with Petraeus. And it comes just a few weeks after Pelosi herself said on CNN’s Larry King Live:

“Just listen to the generals.”

So far, the search for information on the Speaker’s scheduling conflict has been unsuccessful. According to CNN:

CHETRY: A scheduling conflict, do we know what she’s doing? BASH: I asked that question of one of her aides and as of last night they didn’t know what was on her schedule, but I can assure you we’ll try to find out.

How do Democrats justify skipping a critical briefing on the most important national security issue on the same day they force a vote on their pork-laden surrender bill? It is past time for Democrats to do the right thing: attend the Petraeus briefing with an open mind and pass a clean troop funding bill that gives our soldiers the resources they need to succeed in the Global War on Terror.

READ MORE:

• Only in Washington: Democrats Think They’re Better Generals Than the Generals (4/24/07)
• Dems Compromise National Security With New Surrender Date (4/24/07)
• As Petraeus Plans Visit, Reid Tells Al Qaeda Victory is Theirs (4/23/07)
• Reid to Al Qaeda: You Win (4/20/07)
• Fun & Games: Dems Delay Troop Funding, Joke About It (4/19/07)

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Boehner Statement on Rep. Waxman’s Subpoena of Secretary Rice

House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) today released the following statement on the decision by the Chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee to issue a subpoena for Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice:

“This partisan show trial is a waste of time and taxpayer dollars, and undermines U.S. diplomatic efforts in the Middle East. By subpoenaing the Secretary of State, Democrats have revealed how beholden they are to left-wing activist groups while stealing the Secretary’s time away from critical diplomatic missions. While Democrats have made their attempts to embarrass the Bush Administration a top priority, they’ve only embarrassed themselves with the absence of any real legislative accomplishments and their reckless disregard for America’s national security.“Subpoenaing Secretary Rice has more to do with political theater than legitimate oversight goals. Chairman Waxman’s questions on the events of four years ago have been asked and answered, definitively, time and time again. This inquiry is designed more to obfuscate than to address the threats facing this country today and for the foreseeable future. Republicans are committed to meeting these threats and challenges head-on. That’s where the American people want us to be.”

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Boehner Statement on Speaker’s Decision to Skip Petraeus Briefing

House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) issued the following statement after ABC News reported that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) would refuse to attend a bipartisan briefing on Iraq from Army General David Petraeus:

“It is shameful that while our troops wake up every morning and courageously face death in defense of our freedom, the politicians in charge of Congress can’t even find the time to meet face-to-face with their commander. The Speaker found time to meet with the President of a state sponsor of terrorism but somehow can’t find the time to meet with the American general in charge of our troops fighting the Global War on Terror. This is just the latest example of Democrats willfully ignoring the consequences of retreat, both for the region and for the safety and security of the American people.”

NOTE: Tonight, ABC News reported that Speaker Pelosi has decided to skip the briefing provided by General Petraeus for all House members, Republican and Democrat. The decision comes a week after Democratic leaders initially declined the Defense Department’s offer of a members-only, classified briefing with Petraeus.

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Boehner Praises House Passage of GOP Proposal Protecting State & Local Control of Education Decisions

House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) issued the following statement after the House passed a GOP proposal to protect state and local control of education:

“Curriculum decisions should be made at the state and local level, not by politicians in Washington, D.C. The last thing parents and teachers need is another group of bureaucrats telling them how to do their job. Rep. Pete Hoekstra deserves great credit for his leadership on this effort and on behalf of America’s parents and students.”

NOTE: Today, the House adopted a Republican proposal – offered as a motion-to-recommit (MTR) on the 10,000 Teachers, 10 Million Minds Science and Math Scholarship Act (H.R. 362) – by a vote of 389-22. The proposal would ensure that curriculum decisions are left to states and local school districts, putting parents back in control of their children’s education. The proposal eliminated a portion of H.R. 362 that creates a federal panel to provide “recommendations” on curriculum, which could be misconstrued by schools as endorsements of specific curricula. Passage of today’s GOP proposal marks the eighth motion-to-recommit victory for House Republicans thus far this year.

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GOP Proposal Protects State & Local Control of Education | House Republicans Urged to Vote “YES” On Measure

Today, House Republicans are offering a proposal to protect state and local control of education. The proposal, offered as a motion-to-recommit (MTR) on the 10,000 Teachers, 10 Million Minds Science and Math Scholarship Act (H.R. 362), would ensure that curriculum decisions are made at the state and local level – not by Washington politicians.

Earlier this year, House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) said House Republicans will fight together for expanded local control of schools and increased school choice for parents. Boehner said:

“We need to allow parents to choose the best schools possible for their children, and we need to allow greater freedom and flexibility for states that take the initiative in closing the achievement gap between affluent students and their peers. House Republicans will work together this year to accomplish these goals.”

H.R. 362 creates a federal panel to provide “recommendations” on curriculum, and then requires the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Secretary of Education to distribute these to schools which could misconstrue these recommendations as endorsements of specific curricula. The last thing parents and teachers need is another group of bureaucrats telling them how to do their job. The Republican proposal ensures that curriculum decisions are left to states and local school districts, putting parents back in control of their children’s education.

Republicans are urged to vote “YES” on the motion-to-recommit.

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