May 1, 2007 Statements on the President Bush's Veto of the Iraq War Supplemental

Statement Of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton on the President's Veto of the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Bill

Washington, DC -- "With his veto today, President Bush has made it clear that he is standing in the way of ending the war in Iraq and bringing our troops home. The nation is ready for the President to stop disregarding the will of the American people and to work with Democrats on a funding bill that will enable us to begin redeploying our troops. He has a chance to do just that when he meets with the Democratic leadership tomorrow.

"It has been four years since the President declared an end to major combat operations. It is my hope that the President will approach this next round of talks in good faith.

"I am also disappointed that with his veto, the President has taken us back a step in meeting the homeland security needs of our high-threat cities like New York City and vetoed $35 million in additional funding under the Urban Area Security Initiative.

"In addition, with his veto, the President has shirked his responsibility to address the growing health needs affecting those exposed to the toxic air around Ground Zero in the wake of 9/11 and vetoed $50 million in funding for 9/11 health, which would not only have helped provide treatment to those affected in the New York metro area, but also to responders from all over the country who are suffering from 9/11 health effects. This funding would have helped meet immediate health needs and allow 9/11 health programs to continue operating. Despite the President's actions today, I will continue to fight, along with my colleagues in the New York delegation, to secure the federal commitment and funding required to meet 9/11 health needs in the long-term.

"The President has also chosen to veto critical legislation that would have ended the practice of giving Department of Homeland Security (DHS) contractors bonuses for incomplete or sub-par work, thereby saving taxpayers millions of dollars."
 
 

STATEMENT OF SENATOR CHRIS DODD IN RESPONSE TO PRESIDENT BUSH'S VETO OF SUPPLEMENTAL IRAQ WAR FUNDING BILL

Senator and Presidential candidate Chris Dodd issued the following statement in response to President Bush's veto of the supplemental Iraq war funding bill:

"It is disappointing that the President has placed a greater priority on continuing his misguided policy in Iraq over funding for our troops. The President's policy in Iraq has failed and has made America less secure. Regrettably, it is clear that the President has no intention of changing course in Iraq, making it incumbent upon Congress to force him to do so.

I will continue to support Feingold-Reid -- the only way to hold the President accountable for his failed policy, safely redeploy our troops and bring an end to this war."
 
 

EDWARDS STATEMENT ON BUSH VETO OF IRAQ FUNDING BILL

Chapel Hill, North Carolina - Senator John Edwards released the following statement following President Bush's veto of the Iraq funding bill.

"Today, President Bush vetoed a bill that supports our troops and ends the war in Iraq that he declared won four years ago.

"Four years ago he flew onto the deck of the U.S.S. Lincoln under a 'Mission Accomplished' banner to declare victory in Iraq.  Today, all the photo ops in the world can't hide the truth - the war is still raging, and the president's mismanagement of Iraq is still dead wrong. Our troops have done everything they were asked and deserve a hero's welcome.  Instead, they remain in harm's way; Iraq has become a breeding ground for terrorists; and we're no closer to a permanent political solution than we were four years ago.

"But one thing has changed: The American people have given Congress a mission to end the war - but that mission hasn't been accomplished yet.

"Congress needs to stand firm and strong. Congress should answer the president's veto by sending him another bill with a timetable for withdrawal. And if he vetoes that one, Congress should send him another and another until we end this war and bring our troops home.

"There is no military solution to the conflict in Iraq - only a political solution.  The Iraqi people need to take responsibility for their own country.  Under my plan, we would cap funding at 100,000 troops to stop the McCain Doctrine of escalation and force an immediate withdrawal of 40-50,000 troops, followed by a complete withdrawal in 12-18 months.  Now is not the time for political calculation, it is the time for political courage.  Every person who is against this war needs to speak out, so together we can bring an end to the quagmire that is Iraq."
 
 

OBAMA STATEMENT ON PRESIDENT'S VETO OF IRAQ FUNDING BILL
 
Chicago, IL- Senator Barack Obama today released the following statement in response to President's veto of Iraq funding bill.

“With one stroke of his pen, President Bush has stubbornly ignored the will of the American people, the majority of Congress and, most disturbingly, the realities on the ground in Iraq. Now we call upon our Republican colleagues in Congress to help override this veto and acknowledge what the President will not – that there is no military solution to a political conflict that lies at the heart of this civil war. Only the Iraqi leadership can make peace, and the best way to pressure them to do so is still a phased withdrawal of American forces with the goal of removing all combat troops from Iraq by March 30th, 2008.   It is time to end this war so we can bring our troops home and redeploy our forces to help fight the broader struggle against terrorism and other threats of this new century.”

 

Governor Bill Richardson Rips Presidential Veto-Calls on Congress to Pass Resolution to De-authorize the Iraq War and Remove All American Troops from Iraq

SANTE FE, NM ---- New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson today blasted President Bush’s veto of Democrat sponsored legislation that would have set a timeline for the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq.  The Governor called on Congress once again to immediately pass a resolution, under the War Powers Act, that would de-authorize the Iraq War and provide a rapid timetable for the withdrawal of US forces.

“The President is defying the will of the American people so it is time for Congress to take action that cannot be vetoed,” said Governor Bill Richardson.  “It is clear to all but the President that no military solution remains in Iraq.  Mr. President, stubbornness is not foreign policy. The death of more than 100 U.S. soldiers there last month underscores the need to withdraw our brave men and women now. To continue with more of the same is not a strategy, it is a tragedy.  The only solution is strong diplomacy and real political progress led by the Iraqis. Our troops have performed bravely, with honor and sacrifice, but it is time to get them out of the crossfire of a civil war. We need to redeploy all of our forces out of Iraq leaving no residual forces.  Al Qaeda and other anti-American forces benefit from our continued presence in Iraq- it enables them to portray the US as imperialist occupiers- we need to deprive them of that propaganda.  The truth is our enemies want us mired and bleeding in Iraq rather than fighting the real war against the real terrorists who attacked this country on 9/11.”

Governor Richardson stated that only Congress has the authority to authorize war, and can also vote by resolution to de-authorize the war- which would require the military to remove all American troops from Iraq.  Such a resolution does not require a Presidential signature and would therefore not be subject to veto.

 

Bill Richardson's 7 Point New Realism Plan for Iraq:
1. Troops Out in 2007: We should get our troops out of Iraq this year. Our continued presence there only enables the Iraqi factions to delay making the hard political choices they need to make to end the civil war.

2. No Residual Forces Left Behind: We must remove ALL of our troops. There should be no residual US forces left in Iraq. Most Iraqis, and most others in the region, believe that we are there for their oil, and this perception is exploited by both Al Qaeda, other insurgents, and anti-American Shia groups. By announcing that we intend to remove all troops, we would deprive them of this propaganda tool.

3. Congressional De-Authorization of War:  President Bush has demonstrated neither competence nor honesty nor a sense of reality in his conduct of this war.  I support the Feingold-Reid bill to force the President to end the war.

Congress must continue to use the power of the purse without cutting funds for troops on the ground, but we should also go one step further.  Congress should assert its constitutional authority and pass a resolution de-authorizing the war under the War Powers Act.  Congress can then set a military pull-out date and appropriate funds accordingly for the re-deployment of troops.

4. Promote Iraqi Reconciliation: We should promote an Iraqi Reconciliation Conference to bring the factions together to seek compromises and to begin confidence-building measures, including the end of militia violence. Our redeployment will give us more leverage than we have now, caught in the crossfire, to get the Iraqis to reconcile.

5. Work With All Neighbors and Allies: We should convene a regional conference to secure the cooperation of all of Iraq's neighbors -- including Syria and Iran -- in promoting peace and stability. Among the key objectives of such a conference should be guarantees of non-interference, as well as the creation of a multilateral force of UN peacekeepers, should the Iraqis request one.  The US should support such a force, but it should be composed of non-US, primarily Muslim troops.

6. Global Cooperation in Reconstruction: We should convene a donor conference to fund Iraq's reconstruction. The United States needs to show the world that we intend to return to our tradition of being a trusted leader, not a unilateralist loner. The process of disengagement is an opportunity for us to show that we have turned the corner, and that we intend to rebuild our alliances, respect international law, and work with the international community.

7. Redeploy to Address Real Threats: We must redeploy some of our troops to stop the resurgence of the Taliban and to fight the real terrorists who attacked this country on 9-11.  While all American troops in Iraq must be removed, we need to maintain a military presence in the region, including in Kuwait and in the Persian Gulf.  We must have the regional capacity to use air power, special forces and other means to strike Al Queda anywhere.  We do not need American troops in Iraq to perform this essential task.

We also must bring our National Guard home where they are needed for homeland security, and we must focus our energy and resources on real threats, such as nuclear proliferation, Al Qaeda, public health, and global warming.

 
 
 

Governor Thompson Commends President Bush for Veto

Governor Tommy G. Thompson's statement on President Bush announcing he will veto the Iraq troop withdrawal bill:

I commend President Bush for vetoing the bill passed by the Democratic Congress to set a withdrawal date of U.S. troops from Iraq. There is only one commander in chief, and he is better served listening to the commanders on the ground in Iraq.

As long as there is one U.S. soldier, sailor, airman or Marine overseas, all American leaders must be committed to ensuring that our troops have the resources they need to succeed on the battlefield as well as the support they need when they return home. Unfortunately, Democrats in Congress instead chose to play partisan politics by loading pork-barrel projects and demands to cut and run into what should have been a bipartisan bill to fund and support American troops in a war zone.

Long term, the United States must focus not on narrow military goals but on helping the Iraqi government build strong political and economic infrastructures. That is the only way we will be able to bring U.S. troops home while leaving behind a strong and prosperous Iraq.

Specifically, my plan calls for the United States to take the following steps:

•       First, the Iraqi government should vote on whether they want United States in their country. If they do, we have greater world standing to be there and it further legitimizes our efforts domestically. If not, the United States should leave. Iraq has a duly elected government and we should listen to its wishes.

•       Second, we should work with Iraqi leaders to form democratically elected governments in the nation’s 18 self-governing provinces that would operate under a national government. This will give Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds their own pieces of Iraq – their own land and their own say in how it is run.

•       Third, we should encourage the Iraqi government to give every Iraqi a stake in the nation’s rich oil reserves. Oil revenues should be divided in thirds among the national government, the provincial governments and individual Iraq citizens. This will create great incentive for all Iraqis to protect their oil reserves, while helping ensure that their federal and provincial governments govern fairly. And it will create wealth among all levels of society, inspiring entrepreneurship and economic growth – two major keys to bringing peace to Iraq.

Taken together, these three steps will give Iraqis – both the government and its citizens – an ownership stake in their newly free nation. With this ownership will come newfound hope and opportunity in a nation too long ruled and terrorized by dictators.
 
 

DNC
Dean: President Bush's Veto Ignores Will of the American People

Washington, DC – Four years ago under a “Mission Accomplished” banner, President Bush declared “major combat operations in Iraq have ended,” yet our troops remain mired in a civil war in Iraq, more than 100 troops lost their lives in April, and the number of terrorist attacks skyrocketed last year. The President’s escalation plan is not working and it’s time to change course. Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean issued the following statement following President Bush’s veto of the Iraq supplemental bill:

“Congress did its job by getting a bipartisan bill to the President’s desk but President Bush’s stubborn refusal to work with Congress has kept our troops mired in an open-ended civil war. The President’s Iraq policies have only resulted in more violence and made America less safe. The fact remains that President Bush’s mission is not yet accomplished and will not be accomplished until we change course in Iraq. This veto ignores the will of the American people, military experts, the Iraq Study Group and Congress. It’s well past time for President Bush to work with Congress toward a solution so we can bring our brave troops home.”
 
 

Iowa Democratic Party
President Bush Denies the Will of the American People

Iowa National Guard Remains Stretched Thin

DES MOINES – Four years after he stood aboard an aircraft carrier and declared “Mission Accomplished”, President Bush has vetoed legislation that would call for a change of course in Iraq.  President Bush’s veto ignores the will of the American people and refuses to support calls for accountability in Iraq.  Democrats passed legislation that fully funds our troops and requires President Bush to change course in Iraq.  However, President Bush refuses to heed the advice of a bipartisan majority in Congress, military experts and the Iraq Study Group, which all agree that the Administration’s current path in Iraq is not working.

Meanwhile, the Iowa National Guard continues to suffer for the Bush Administration’s policy failures.  In Iowa, 983 National Guard are currently deployed in Iraq and over 6831 have been deployed since the start of the war.  Many National Guard members are feeling the strain of long deployments and extended tours without breaks.  In addition, our military continues to be stretched thin, endangering the National Guard’s ability to respond to local and national emergencies.

“President Bush’s one-upmanship and his attempts to avoid losing face are an affront to Iowans,” said Carrie Giddins, Iowa Democratic Party Communications Director.  “It has been four years since the President declared victory and yet our troops are still being forced to police a civil war without benchmarks for progress.  It is time to change the focus of our mission in Iraq to find a political solution.  Democrats have shown their commitment to fully funding our troops as we work to transition out of an Iraqi civil war.  President Bush should stop trying to bully his way through and sit down with Congress to work together on a real solution.”