    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2007, Book I)]
    [May 25, 2007]
    [Pages 626-627]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Congressional Passage of Emergency Supplemental
    Appropriations
    May 25, 2007

        Congress voted yesterday to provide our troops with the funding and
    flexibility they need to protect our country, and I was pleased to sign
    the bill today. Rather than mandate arbitrary timetables for troop
    withdrawals or micromanage our military commanders, this legislation
    enables our service men and women to follow the judgment of commanders
    on the ground.
        This important bill also provides a clear roadmap to help the Iraqis
    secure their country and strengthen their young democracy. Iraqis need
    to demonstrate measurable progress on a series of benchmarks for
    improved security, political reconciliation, and governance. These tasks
    will be difficult for this young democracy, but we are confident they
    will continue to make progress on the goals they have set for
    themselves.
        I am pleased that Congress removed billions of dollars in
    unrequested spending. I would like to have removed even more, but this
    package was part of the effort to move forward and ensure our troops in
    harm's way have the resources they need.

    [[Page 627]]

        I congratulate Members of Congress for coming together in a
    bipartisan fashion and providing the necessary funding for our troops
    and support for the Iraqi people.

    Note: The statement referred to H.R. 2206, which was assigned Public Law
    No. 110-28.