    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book I)]
    [June 30, 2008]
    [Pages 891-892]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on Signing the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008
    June 30, 2008

        Good morning. A few moments ago, I signed legislation that funds our
    troops who are in harm's way. Our Nation has no greater responsibility
    than supporting our men and women in uniform, especially since we're at
    war. This is a responsibility all of us in Washington share, not as
    Republicans or Democrats, but as Americans. And I want to thank leaders
    of the House and Senate for getting this bill to my office.
        America remains a nation at war. There are enemies who intend to
    harm us. Standing in their way are brave men and women who put on the
    uniform, who raised their right hand and took an oath to defend our
    freedom. They volunteered to deploy in distant lands, far from their
    families, far from their homes, and far from comfort of America. And
    every day, they risk their lives to defeat our adversaries and to keep
    our country safe.
        We owe these brave Americans our gratitude; we owe them our
    unflinching support. And the best way to demonstrate that support is to
    give them the resources they need to do their jobs and to prevail. The
    bill I signed today does exactly that. It provides necessary funds to
    support our troops as they conduct military operations in Iraq, in
    Afghanistan, and in other theaters in the war on terror.
        I appreciate that Republicans and Democrats in Congress agreed to
    provide these vital funds without tying the hands of our commanders and
    without an artificial timetable of withdrawal from Iraq. Our troops have
    driven the terrorists and extremists

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    from many strongholds in Iraq. Today, violence is at the lowest level
    since March of 2004. As a result of this progress--some of our troops
    are coming home as result of our policy of--called return on success. We
    welcome them home. And with this legislation we send a clear message to
    all that are serving on the frontline that our Nation continues to
    support them.
        We also owe a debt of gratitude to our Nation's military families.
    They endure sleepless nights and the daily struggle of caring for
    children while a loved one is serving far from home. We have a
    responsibility to provide for them. So I'm pleased that the bill I sign
    today includes an expansion of the GI bill. This legislation will make
    it easier for our troops to transfer unused education benefits to their
    spouses and children. It will help us to recruit and reward the best
    military on the face of the Earth. It will help us to meet our
    responsibilities to those who support our troops every day, America's
    great military families.
        The bill also includes agreed-upon funding for other critical
    national priorities. This bill includes $465 million for the Merida
    Initiative, a partnership with Mexico and nations in Central America to
    crack down on violent drug-trafficking gangs. The bill includes nearly
    $2.7 billion to help ensure that any State facing a disaster, like the
    recent flooding and tornadoes in the Midwest, has access to needed
    resources. This bill includes a measured expansion of unemployment
    insurance benefits with a reasonable work requirement. And this bill
    holds overall discretionary spending within the sensible limits that I
    requested.
        The bill is a result of close collaboration between my
    administration and members of both parties on Capitol Hill. I appreciate
    the hard work of my Cabinet, especially the leaders of Defense and State and Veterans
    Affairs, the Office of National Drug Control
    Policy, as well as OMB. I want to thank House and Senate leadership and leaders of
    the House and Senate Appropriations Committees. I am particularly
    grateful to Congressmen Boehner,
    Hoyer, Obey, and
    Lewis. And I want to thank
    Members who worked hard for the GI bill expansion, especially Senators
    Webb and Warner, Graham, Burr, and McCain.
        This bill shows the American people that even in an election year,
    Republicans and Democrats can come together to stand behind our troops
    and their families.
        Thank you for coming.

    Note: The President spoke at 9:48 a.m. in the Oval Office at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to Secretary of Veterans Affairs
    James B. Peake; and James A. Nussle, Director, Office of Management and
    Budget. H.R. 2642, approved June 30, was assigned Public Law No. 110-
    252. The Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language
    transcript of these remarks.