Campaign 2010

Oct 22, 2009

Republican Leader Boehner Claims to Support Troops While Leading Republican Opposition to Troop Fund

Hypocrisy Alert: Republican Leader BoehnerClaims to Support Troops While Leading Republican Opposition to Troop Funding

 

Responding to criticism that Republicans let the war strategyin Afghanistandrift under President George W. Bush, yesterday, House Republican Leader JohnBoehner said, "We've all worked together to support or [sic] troops in the field."

 

The reality is that Leader Boehnerhas led the Republican opposition to supporting our troops numerous times thisyear.

 

"While our military pledges toleave no soldier behind on the battlefield, House Republicans have been all toowilling to play politics and leave our troops' funding behind in Washington," said RyanRudominer, National Press Secretary for the Democratic Congressional CampaignCommittee. "The last thing our troops and their families deserve is HouseRepublicans' putting politics first."

 

Background

 

  • House Republican Leader John Boehner: "We've all worked together to support or [sic] troops in the field." [Politico, 10/21/09].

 

  • 131 Republicans voted against the Conference Report accompanying H.R. 2647, The National Defense Authorization Act of FY2010, which provides significant force protection and troop support measures for the men and women of our Armed Services. [H.R. 2647. #770, 10/8/09].
    • The measure provides $28 billion for defense healthcare programs and a 3.4% pay increase for military personnel.
    • It also provides increased funding for Force Protection, including:

$6.7 billion formine-resistant ambush protected vehicles;

$1.3 billion toupgrade Abrams tanks and Bradley fighting vehicles; and

$2.0 billionfor improvised explosive device jammers.

 

  • 170 Republicans voted against the Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2009, which includes funding for American troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. [H.R. 2346, #348, 6/16/09]

 

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