Cole Votes to Sustain Veto

Calls on Majority to Produce a Clean and Timely Emergency Funding Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Congressman Tom Cole, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, today voted to sustain the President's veto of the Majority's Emergency Supplemental Bill which mandates a rigid and artificial deadline for troop withdrawal from Iraq.

"Congress has a responsibility to bring forth a clean spending bill that will supply our troops on the ground the funds they need to successfully complete their mission so they can return home," Congressman Cole said. "This political tug of war has gone on long enough, and now that the President has held his ground by vetoing this bill, it is up to the Majority leadership to do the right thing and produce a clean spending bill that does not tie the hands of our troops. Time is running out and they need to do it quickly."

Last night President Bush vetoed the supplemental spending bill stating that it substituted the opinions of politicians for the judgment of military commanders on the ground in Iraq. The bill included a mandate for an artificial deadline for American troops to begin withdrawing from Iraq, and contained billions of dollars of domestic spending that has nothing to do with fighting the War on Terror.

"Giving the enemy specific dates for troop withdrawal would not only secure our failure in Iraq, but also put our men and women over seas in harms way," Congressman Cole continued. "Passing this bill was an irresponsible move of the Majority leadership, and I am glad to see our Commander in Chief acted responsibly by vetoing the bill. I hope Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Reid will put aside their differences and provide General Petraeus and his forces with the funding they require to fulfill their mission. Our men and women in uniform deserve nothing less."

In order for the House to sustain a presidential veto they must obtain a two-thirds majority. Fortunately, the House voted to sustain the veto by a vote of 203 to 222.

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