Cheney touts Iraq spending bill

Vice President Dick Cheney Saturday touted the signing of the Iraq spending bill in his address to the graduating class of West Point.

{mosads}“Last night, President Bush signed into law the war supplemental that we worked hard to achieve,” Cheney told the cadets. “Whatever lies ahead, the United States Army will have all the equipment, supplies, manpower, training, and support essential to victory.”

Cheney, who has repeatedly said that debating war funds in Congress sends a mixed message to U.S. troops, told cadets that he brought a message from the White House.

“I give you this assurance on behalf of the president,” Cheney said. “You soldier for him, and he will soldier for you.”

Cheney lauded the graduating class, noting that it was a rarity in the school’s history that a class began and finished their time at West Point while a war was going on.

“In the group that graduates today, and among the cadets watching from the stands, we have dozens of future officers that are already combat veterans,” the vice president said. “You’ve been to Iraq and Afghanistan.  You’ve seen the enemy and his tactics.  You’ve been part of an Army that has faced unprecedented challenges; an Army at war that is, without question, the finest ever fielded by the United States of America.”