The following statement may be attributed to Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX) concerning President George W. Bush’s veto of the Iraq Supplemental legislation:

“The President’s veto of the Iraq Supplemental bill was the strongest statement he could send to our troops. Bush supports the troops and so do most of my Republican colleagues.

“Despite the Democrats efforts to curb our success in Iraq by placing arbitrary dates to remove troops, the President made it clear that forging a path to freedom and defeat of terrorism is through Iraq.

“I was also pleased that the President pointed out another egregious mistake by the Democrats. Lining the bill with pork projects in a feeble attempt garner votes, the Democrats have shown their lack of concern for the being good stewards of the American taxpayer.

“It is my hope that the leaders in both chambers understand what their duty is. Fund our troops. It is not only hypocritical but also simply wrong to send our soldiers to fight and then to remove their funding.”