    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 43, Number 51 (Monday, December 24, 2007)]
    [Pages 1599-1600]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    The President's Radio Address

    December 15, 2007

        Good morning. In a time of war, America's top priority should be to
    ensure that our troops on the frontlines get the funding they need. So
    beginning in February, I submitted detailed funding requests to Congress
    to fund operations in the war on terror. Congress has had months to pass
    this funding. Unfortunately, with just days to go before Members leave
    for their Christmas vacation, they still have not come through with
    these funds.
        This week, Congress considered a defense authorization bill. An
    authorization bill is a pledge to spend money. Under such a bill,
    Congress will make a promise to fund our troops in combat. But a
    congressional promise, even if enacted, does not pay the bills. It is
    time for Congress to provide our troops with actual funding.
        The stakes are high for our men and women on the frontlines. Our
    troops are striking blows against the terrorists and extremists in Iraq
    and Afghanistan, and these funds are critical to their continued
    success. The funds I have requested include money to carry out combat
    operations against the enemy. They include money to train the Iraqi and
    Afghan security forces to take on more responsibility for the defense of
    their countries. They include money for civilian agencies deployed in
    the field with our military to help build local governments and create
    jobs. And they include money for intelligence operations to protect our
    troops on the battlefield.
        Congress has had plenty of time to consider the emergency funds our
    troops need. Time is running out. And Pentagon officials say that
    continued delay in funding our troops will soon begin to have a damaging
    impact on the operations of our military. Congress's responsibility is
    clear: They must deliver vital funds for our troops, and they must do it
    before they leave for Christmas. Our men and women on the frontlines
    will be spending this holiday season far from their families and loved
    ones. And this Christmas, they deserve more than words from Congress;
    they deserve action.
        Thank you for listening.

    Note: The address was recorded at 11:15 a.m. on December 14 in the
    Cabinet Room at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on December
    15. The transcript was made available by the Office of the Press
    Secretary on December

    [[Page 1600]]

    14 but was embargoed for release until the broadcast. The Office of the
    Press Secretary also released a Spanish language transcript of this
    address.