Partisan Squabbling Does Nothing to Help Our Troops (Rep. Charles Boustany)

It gives me no pleasure to vote against a bill that includes many programs I have been advocating since Hurricanes Rita and Katrina.  In the end, the restrictions this bill places on our men and women in uniform, and the process that was abused to buy its passage, gave me no other choice.  I cannot vote for a bill that ties the hands of our troops in the field.

Sadly, it took more than eleven weeks for Democratic leaders to return this bill after the President submitted his emergency spending request.  This Washington game of partisan squabbling does nothing to address the responsibility of this Congress to support our men and women in uniform.  Now faced with a Presidential veto and the votes in Congress to sustain it, no progress has been made in advancing the important provisions in this bill for Louisiana’s recovery or our soldiers in the field.

My colleagues on the other side of the aisle often talk about their commitment to Gulf Coast recovery.  If they are serious about this commitment, it is time for them to send the President an emergency spending bill that is worthy of both the sacrifices of the victims of Hurricanes Rita and Katrina and the brave dedication of our men and women in uniform.