Cord Byrd: “The Senate's version of this legislation provides $123 billion primarily for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, for…”

“The Senate's version of this legislation provides $123 billion primarily for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, for improving the health care for returning soldiers and veterans, for continued Hurricane Katrina recovery for the gulf coast, to fill major gaps in homeland security, and to provide emergency drought relief for farmers. The President has asserted that Congress is holding funding for the troops hostage for what he calls ``porkbarrel'' spending. What nonsense. Facts matter. Once again, the President does not seem to know the facts. This is legislation that meets some of the most critical needs of our troops and our Nation. In the days since the Senate approved this legislation, the White House has taken on the regular practice of demonizing the Congress and attacking the bipartisan bill. On Tuesday, for instance, President Bush repeated his hollow claims that the Army will run out of money if Congress doesn't finish this legislation by the weekend. What nonsense. The nonpartisan Congressional Research Service has reported that the Army can use the dollars that Congress has already appropriated--some $52 billion--to help the Pentagon reach the end of May.”