June 7, 2008 Bush tells Congress to pass Iraq funding Play video

(NECN: Washington) - In his weekly radio address, President Bush said U.S. troops "deserve better" than the treatment they are getting from Congress. Mr. Bush called on Congress to pass his $178 billion Iraq war funding request.

The President's weekly radio address:

VERBATIM: Good morning. Congress will soon vote on legislation to fund our

troops serving on the front lines of the war on terror. This is an

opportunity for Congress to give our men and women in uniform the tools they

need to protect us, and Congress should approve these vital funds

immediately.

Congress has had this funding request for more than a year, and there is no

reason for further delay. This money is urgently needed to support military

operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. I put forward some reasonable

requirements this bill must meet. First, this bill must give our troops the

resources they need to defeat the terrorists and extremists. Second, the

bill must not tie the hands of our commanders. Third, the bill must not

exceed the reasonable and responsible funding levels I have requested.

Congress has had 16 months to decide how they will meet these requirements,

and now the time has come for them to support our troops in harm's way. If

Congress does not act, critical accounts at the Department of Defense will

soon run dry. At the beginning of next month, civilian employees may face

temporary

that is getting potential insurgents off the streets and into jobs. The

Pentagon will run out of money it needs to support critical day-to-day

operations that help keep our Nation safe. And after July, the department

will no longer be able to pay our troops -- including those serving in

Afghanistan and Iraq.

Our men and women in uniform and their families deserve better than this.

Around the world, our troops are taking on dangerous missions with skill and

determination. In Afghanistan, they are delivering blows to the Taliban and

al Qaida. In Iraq, they've helped bring violence down to its lowest point

since late March of 2004. Civilian deaths are down. Sectarian killings are

down. As security has improved, the economy has improved as well, and

political reconciliation is taking place at the grassroots and national

levels. The Iraqi security forces are becoming more capable, and as they do,

our troops are beginning to come home under a policy of return on success.

Each day, the men and women of our Armed Forces risk their lives to make

sure their fellow citizens are safer. They serve with courage and honor.

They've earned the respect of all Americans. And they deserve the full

support of Congress. I often hear members of Congress say they oppose the

war, but still support the troops. Now they have a chance to prove it.

Congress should pass a responsible funding bill that gives our men and women

in uniform the resources they need -- and the support they have earned.

Thank you for listening.