    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2004, Book II)]
    [July 22, 2004]
    [Page 1406]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Congressional Passage of Legislation To Provide Funding for
    the United States Military
    July 22, 2004

        My most solemn duty as President is to protect the lives of the
    American people, and I have worked consistently for the largest defense
    buildup in a generation. America continues to be at war, and the
    legislation passed today by the Congress delivers the funding necessary
    to ensure that our troops are the best paid, the best equipped, and the
    best trained in the world.
        I also commend the Congress for continuing to provide the resources
    necessary to support the critical missions of our troops in Afghanistan
    and Iraq. As I have said repeatedly, our troops will have what they need
    to do their job, and I am pleased that a bipartisan majority in the
    Congress continues to stand with me to support our military.
        I look forward to signing this legislation into law.