Shocker: Obama Breaking Promise On War Funding, Democrats Porking Up The Spending Bill
Remember when Obama promised to end the Bush administration’s “budget tricks” by including war funding into the regular budgeting process instead of getting that money through emergency appropriations? Well surprise, surprise Obama and the Democrats are pushing through a war funding bill…through the emergency appropriations process.
Just another “say one thing and do another” moment for Obama.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A $100 billion bill to fund U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan is rapidly accumulating extra items such as money for military aircraft the Pentagon doesn’t want and possibly a scheme to jump-start sagging auto sales.
The cars and planes are not directly linked to the U.S. war effort. But they are typical of Congress’ penchant for loading bills with unrelated spending in hopes the funds will sail through on the strength of the main legislation.
President Barack Obama originally sought $83.4 billion for the two wars and more foreign aid for countries like Pakistan. …
The unrelated provisions have slowed the bill down, especially for the IMF because Republicans have argued the extra items should be vetted through the normal congressional process rather than jammed into an emergency spending bill.
And let’s remember that Obama, who promised that he’d go through spending bills sent to him “line by line” to make sure no wasteful spending got passed, isn’t going to stand for this, right? Wrong. Democrats are being urged to vote for this porkfest so that Obama can get a victory:
Some 51 anti-war House Democrats had opposed the bill but now are under pressure to switch to give Obama a victory.
And what do Democrats have to say about Republicans who might be opposing this bill based on the non-war related spending that’s in it? Well if they oppose it, they hate the troops!
But a House Democratic leadership aide said Republicans will have to answer to constituents for opposing a war funding bill.
So the Democrats (and probably Republicans too) are porking up this bill. Obama, despite his promises to combat wasteful spending, wants to sign it into law so he can get a victory. And anyone trying to stop this from happening will be accused of not wanting to fund the troops on the battlefield.
Hope and change!
