Democrats in Disarray Over Must-Pass Supplemental

Admit Funds Exhausted by June, Yet Say No Urgency to Pass Bill

WASHINGTON, May 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Agreeing with House Republican Whip Roy Blunt (Mo.) that short-circuiting the open committee process for political gain and smoke-filled rooms is no way to pass vital funding measures for our troops, Democratic Leader Steny Hoyer (Md.) conceded today that Republicans had proper grounds to be disappointed in the way Democrats have handled the supplemental bill.

The troop supplemental Democrats will attempt to bring to the floor has been assembled with no input from anyone aside from Pelosi's inner-circle -- including the Earle of Earmarks, John Murtha. Contrast that with the other supplemental bills the House has considered over nearly 20 years -- all going through the appropriations committee except a handful of non-controversial measures brought to a vote with bipartisan sign-off.

Hoyer conceded that he "understand(s) that concern" and the point Republicans have been making is "well taken." This is in direct contrast to recent reports that Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) will bring the Iraq supplemental to the floor without any Republican input and very little from members of her own party.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer again agreed with Republicans less than a month ago that the military will start sending out furlough notices and exhaust their funds by June. But today, Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid (Nev.) said it was "no big deal" if Congress failed to adequately provide our troops in the field he resources they need to return home safe, secure and successful in their mission.

Dovetailing nicely with the speaker's efforts, Reid has pursued a strategy of strong-arming Congress to silence opposition or perhaps sneak egregious policy through in the dark of night. He weighed in today and proclaimed that he was content to use the same unprecedented tactics in the Senate, effectively rolling Byrd, his chamber's and party's most senior and respected member.

It has now been more than 440 days since the original supplemental was sent to Congress -- while pieces were passed, the entire bill has languished. There has been more than enough time for Democrats to act. This bill must be passed before the Memorial Day recess and the shameful tactics of the Democratic leadership have only ensured its defeat.

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Source: House Republican Whip Roy Blunt

CONTACT: Nick Simpson, Antonia Ferrier, or Chris Tucker,
+1-202-226-7022, all of the Office of House Republican Whip Roy Blunt

2008-05-01 19:00:25 0351116 PRNEWSWIRE