FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:Tuesday, March 20, 2007
BLUNT SIGNS DISCHARGE PETITION TO SEND “UNEQUIVOCAL” MESSAGE TO TROOPS
WASHINGTON – House Republican Whip Roy Blunt (Mo.) released the following statement this afternoon after signing a discharge petition to H.R. 511 – instructing Democratic leaders to bring to the House floor legislation written by Rep. Sam Johnson, R-Texas, pledging Congress’s full and faithful support of our troops in harm’s way:“House Republicans have asked our Democratic colleagues to bring a clean, straightforward emergency supplemental bill to the House floor – a bill that’s worthy of the brave men and women in uniform it should have been written to support.“Instead, Democrats appear ready to force a vote on an expanding wish list of non-emergency spending items wrapped in a date-certain declaration of defeat – a courtesy confirmation to our enemies that if they can hang on just a bit longer, we’ll be up and out of their way before too long.“Congressman Johnson’s legislation is as straightforward as it is essential – and it would have garnered overwhelming support from both sides of the aisle if Democratic leaders had allowed it to advance naturally through committee.“In signing onto the discharge petition to Sam Johnson’s bill, we’ve now gone beyond the point of lodging simple requests. We’re now insisting that Democrats bring to the floor an unequivocal statement of support for our heroes in harm’s way. And to amplify that message even more, we’re asking every member of this chamber to affix his or her name to this petition.“In a week in which Democrats are preparing to bring forth a declaration of defeat in Iraq, Sam Johnson’s pledge of support for the men and women protecting our freedom is a message every member of this body should endorse without hesitation.”A discharge petition is a tool lawmakers can use to bring a bill out of committee and to the floor for a vote without the consent or cooperation of the majority leadership. A petition requires 218 signatures, a simple majority of the House, to be successful.
Labels: GWOT, Support The Troops
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