    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2007, Book II)]
    [October 22, 2007]
    [Pages 1366-1367]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on Congressional Action on Supplemental Appropriations
    October 22, 2007

        Thank you all for joining me. I just finished visiting with veterans
    and members of military support organizations, the family of the fallen.
    Thank you all for being here. I'm proud you're here.
        These patriots have come to the Oval Office to make sure and to make
    clear that our troops have the full commitment of our Government. And I
    strongly agree that we must provide our troops with the help and support
    they need to get the job done. Parts of this war are complicated, but
    one part is not, and that is, America should do what it takes to support
    our troops and protect our people. And today I sent Congress an updated
    supplemental war funding request that will do just that.
        The majority of the supplemental funding is for day-to-day military
    operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. The bill provides for basic needs
    like bullets and body armor, protection against IEDs, and Mine Resistant
    Ambush Protected vehicles. It also funds training missions, vital
    Embassy programs, improvements in Iraq and Iraqi security forces, and
    intelligence operations that protect our troops. These are urgent
    military necessities, and the supplemental was prepared in close
    consultation with our commanders on the ground. This funding is what
    General Petraeus and other military
    leaders say we need, and Congress ought to give it to them.
        Our military commanders will use this money to continue carrying out
    their missions in Afghanistan and Iraq. In Afghanistan, our troops, NATO
    allies, and Afghan forces are making gains against the Taliban and Al
    Qaida. In Iraq, our campaign to provide security for the Iraqi people
    has been difficult and dangerous, but it is achieving results. Al Qaida
    and other extremists have been driven from strongholds in places like
    Anbar Province and parts of Diyala Province. In Baghdad, the number of
    Iraqi civilians murdered by terrorists and death squads is down sharply.
    Throughout Iraq, the number of American servicemembers killed in
    September was the lowest since July 2006. And the level of violence
    during Ramadan was down significantly from last year.
        Last month, General Petraeus said he
    believes that our successes in Iraq mean we can maintain the same level
    of security with fewer American forces. I accepted this recommendation
    that we not replace about 2,200 marines who left Anbar last month. We
    expect to bring home another 3,500 soldiers by Christmas. The funds in
    the supplemental are crucial to continuing this policy of return on
    success. Every Member of Congress who wants to see both success in Iraq
    and our troops begin to come home should strongly support this bill.

    [[Page 1367]]

        I know some in Congress are against the war and are seeking ways to
    demonstrate that opposition. I recognize their position, and they should
    make their views heard, but they ought to make sure our troops have what
    it takes to succeed. Our men and women on the frontlines should not be
    caught in the middle of partisan disagreements in Washington, DC. I
    often hear that war critics oppose my decisions, but still support the
    troops. Well, I'll take them at their word, and this is the chance for
    them to show it, that they support the troops.
        Along with support for our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, the
    supplemental also includes emergency funding for other critical national
    security needs. It includes money to improve medical care for our
    wounded warriors. It funds equipment repair and upgrades the strategic
    readiness of the Army. It provides crucial relief for Iraqi refugees. It
    supports the peacekeeping mission of the United Nations in Darfur. It
    delivers vital assistance for our partners in Mexico and Central
    America, who are working to break up drug cartels and fight organized
    crime and stop human trafficking. All of these are urgent priorities of
    the United States, and the Congress ought to fund them without delay.
        One reason Congress can move the supplemental quickly is that it's
    had more than 8 months to study most of the provisions. In fact, nearly
    75 percent of the funding requested in the supplemental was submitted
    along with my annual budget in February. We took this step in direct
    response to requests from Congress. Members of Congress should consider
    the supplemental promptly. They should keep it focused on true
    necessities, not pet projects. And they should pass a good, clean bill
    as soon as possible. Congress should not go home for the holidays while
    our troops are still waiting for the funds they need.
        In addition to passing the supplemental, Congress also needs to
    complete clean appropriations bills for the Departments of Defense and
    Veterans Affairs. The House and the Senate have passed versions of both
    these bills, but leaders in the House have not yet named conferees. They
    should name them now so that Members of Congress can work out their
    differences and send me these vital bills as soon as possible.
        I want to thank all those who are standing with me today for their
    strong support for our troops, our veterans, and our military families.
    May God bless you all. Thank you.

    Note: The President spoke at 1:48 p.m. in the Roosevelt Room at the
    White House. In his remarks, he referred to Gen. David H. Petraeus, USA,
    commanding general, Multi-National Force--Iraq.