Below is a letter that the Democratic leaders jointly issued to Bush in response to his opposing a pay raise for the U.S. troops and for opposing an increase in benefits to surviving spouses of our of our military men and women.
May 18, 2007
The Honorable George W. Bush
President
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20500Dear Mr. President,
We are writing to urge you to reconsider your objections to H.R. 1585, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008.
Your office’s recent Statement of Administration Policy on H.R. 1585 raised several concerns regarding this bipartisan legislation that the House of Representatives passed yesterday by an overwhelming 397-27 margin.
In particular, the Statement of Administration Policy on H.R. 1585 objected to sections 601 and 606, which raises military pay 0.5% above your proposal, and Section 644, which provides an extra $40 per month for surviving spouses of fallen members of our armed services.
Mr. President, you have consistently called on Congress and the American people to support our troops. Considering the sacrifices that our military families make, the Democratic proposal to provide the troops with the pay raise they deserve and an increase in benefits for the spouses they may leave behind is one small way that we can support our troops.
When it comes to supporting our troops, our actions must match our words. Please join us in supporting our troops by reconsidering both your veto threat to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008, and your objections to an increase in military pay and survivor benefits for the brave men and women serving our country in the armed forces.
Respectfully,
Nancy Pelosi
Speaker of the HouseSteny Hoyer
Majority LeaderJames E. Clyburn
Majority WhipRahm Emanuel
Chair, Democratic CaucusIke Skelton
Chair, House Armed Services CommitteeEllen Tauscher
Chair, Strategic Forces SubcommitteeSteve Israel
Member of Congress
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