Senate Democratic leaders lash out at Bush Iraq policy

Reeling from a vetoed emergency supplemental bill, Senate Democratic leadership lashed out at the Bush administration’s Iraq policy, arguing that prolonged deployments deprived the state of Kansas of National Guard forces and equipment critical to handling the weekend’s deadly tornado.

In a message sent to reporters, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s (D-Nev.) communications office said the president’s “stay-the-course” policy has decreased the National Guard’s capacity to respond to crises at home.

{mosads}Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sibelius (D) said a lack of equipment for the Kansas National Guard is hampering efforts to clean up and start recovery after the tornado.

Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.) chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said in a statement that the supplemental bill would have directed $1 billion toward purchasing National Guard and Reserve equipment for domestic use.

“It is time for the White House to drop its shallow attempts to defend its mismanaged occupation of Iraq, and work with the Congress in the best interests of the country and our troops,” Byrd said. “The president’s choices carry real-life consequences for the American people.”