[House Document 110-31]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



                                     

110th Congress, 1st Session - - - - - - - - - - - - - House Document 
110-31
 
                       VETO MESSAGE ON H.R. 1591

                               __________

                                MESSAGE

                                  from

                   THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

                              transmitting

   NOTIFICATION OF THE VETO OF H.R. 1591, THE U.S. TROOP READINESS, 
       VETERANS' CARE, KATRINA RECOVERY, AND IRAQ ACCOUNTABILITY 
                        APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2007




 May 2, 2007.--Message and accompanying bill referred to the Committee 
              on Appropriations and ordered to be printed
To the House of Representatives:
    I am returning herewith without my approval H.R. 1591, the 
``U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and 
Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007.''
    This legislation is objectionable because it would set an 
arbitrary date for beginning the withdrawal of American troops 
without regard to conditions on the ground; it would 
micromanage the commanders in the field by restricting their 
ability to direct the fight in Iraq; and it contains billions 
of dollars of spending and other provisions completely 
unrelated to the war.
    Precipitous withdrawal from Iraq is not a plan to bring 
peace to the region or to make our people safer here at home. 
The mandated withdrawal in this bill could embolden our 
enemies--and confirm their belief that America will not stand 
behind its commitments. It could lead to a safe haven in Iraq 
for terrorism that could be used to attack America and freedom-
loving people around the world, and is likely to unleash chaos 
in Iraq that could spread across the region. Ultimately, a 
precipitous withdrawal could increase the probability that 
American troops would have to one day return to Iraq--to 
confront an even more dangerous enemy.
    The micromanagement in this legislation is unacceptable 
because it would create a series of requirements that do not 
provide the flexibility needed to conduct the war. It would 
constrict how and where our Armed Forces could engage the enemy 
and defend the national interest, and would provide confusing 
guidance on which of our enemies the military could engage. The 
result would be a marked advantage for our enemies and greater 
danger for our troops, as well as an unprecedented interference 
with the judgments of those who are charged with commanding the 
military.
    Beyond its direction of the operation of the war, the 
legislation is also unacceptable for including billions of 
dollars in spending and other provisions that are unrelated to 
the war, are not an emergency, or are not justified. The 
Congress should not use an emergency war supplemental to add 
billions in spending to avoid its own rules for budget 
discipline and the normal budget process. War supplemental 
funding bills should remain focused on the war and the needs of 
our men and women in uniform who are risking their lives to 
defend our freedoms and preserve our Nation's security.
    Finally, this legislation is unconstitutional because it 
purports to direct the conduct of the operations of the war in 
a way that infringes upon the powers vested in the Presidency 
by the Constitution, including as Commander in Chief of the 
Armed Forces. For these reasons, I must veto this bill.
                                                    George W. Bush.
    The White House, May 1, 2007.

    
    
