Wilson says to House Democrats: Provide Military Pay forTroops Defending America

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 12, 2008

CONTACT: Ryan Murphy
(202) 225-2452 (Office)
(202) 689-4825 (Cell)

Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-02) issued the following statement today as another week in Congress comes to a close and the House Democrat leadership failed to bring an emergency troop funding bill to the Floor for a vote.

"House Democrats continue to stand in the way of vital funding for our troops" said Rep. Wilson. "Their inaction is tantamount to a vote against the wellbeing of our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines. Our military leadership has clearly stated that they need funding immediately to support the success of our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, pay our military, and operate and maintain our military bases. Yet, Congress under the Democrats'control has yet to pass or even consider a clean funding bill. That is unacceptable."

In a recent interview with Roll Call newspaper, Admiral Michael Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said "we need [the supplemental appropriations bill] very badly before the Memorial Day recess. We stop paying soldiers on the 15th of June and we have precious little flexibility with respect to that."

"The limited flexibility our military leaders had in regards to funding has run its course," said Rep. Wilson. "The Department of Defense has already made requests to shift over $9.7 billion in funding to cover the shortfalls. Yet, Democrats have only authorized roughly $7.3 billion of this immediate request which shows a lack of urgency on their side to get the job done."

"The men and women of the United States military ask only that we give them the support and resources to complete their missions. The delay in troop funding perpetrated by the Democrat majority is no way to honor their courage and commitment."

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