Bush Says Congress Is Failing on Tax and War-Funding Measures

President George W. Bush criticized the Democratic-controlled Congress for failing to pass tax and Iraq war-funding measures that he supports.
Members of Congress will travel home for the Thanksgiving holiday ``leaving a lot of unfinished work back in Washington,'' Republican Bush said in his weekly radio address.
The House last week passed legislation to prevent middle- income families from being subject to higher levies under the Alternative Minimum Tax. To pay for the relief, the measure raises taxes on hedge funds and private equity executives, a move Bush opposes.
``Congress should not use legislation that millions of Americans are counting on to protect them from higher taxes in one area as an excuse to raise taxes in other areas,'' Bush said. ``I will veto any bill that raises taxes as a condition of fixing the AMT.''
Bush also called on Congress to act on his request for an additional $190 billion to fund the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Senate Democrats and Republicans are deadlocked over whether to tie war funding to a troop withdrawal timetable.
Democrats, who have been repeatedly thwarted in their attempts to force a change in war policy, said they will likely wait until next year to act on more funding for military operations.
``With both of these delays, congressional leaders are choosing political posturing over the priorities of the people,'' Bush said today.
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates warned Nov. 15 that the military would be forced to begin to close bases and furlough civilian workers if Congress doesn't approve additional funds soon.
By Catherine Dodge
Nov. 17 (Bloomberg)

************************************************************************************
What is your opinion? Do you think that it is irresponsible of Congress to fail to pass some kind of funding on the war?

Do you think that the reason why Congress can’t pass a bill on the war budget is because of “political posturing” (in other words – in an attempt to make one party or person look better than another)?

Should Bush be forced to follow a timeline to withdraw troops from Iraq?
******************************************************************************

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aLZSL1.Md4Bk&refer=u...

Bloomberg