Bush hits Dems over war funding

President Bush Saturday assailed congressional Democrats for not passing his war funding bill.

{mosads}“Congress has had months to pass this funding,” Bush said in his weekly radio address. “Unfortunately, with just days to go before members leave for their Christmas vacation, they still have not come through with these funds.”

The Senate on Friday passed a $696 billion defense policy bill, which Bush is expected to sign. The legislation designates $189 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. But the president said the measure is only a promise to find the military and called for passage of an appropriations bill.

“A congressional promise, even if enacted, does not pay the bills,” Bush stated. “It is time for Congress to provide our troops with actual funding.”

Bush again threatened that failure to pass the Iraq bill he likes would soon begin to have a “damaging impact” on military operations.

“Our men and women on the front lines will be spending this holiday season far from their families and loved ones,” Bush said. “And this Christmas, they deserve more than words from Congress. They deserve action.”