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Ex-POW Rep. Sam Johnson: Don't Cut War Funds
Republicans turned to Texas' Rep. Sam Johnson, a former Vietnam War prisoner, to mount their opposition Tuesday to a Democratic resolution criticizing President Bush's plans to increase troops in Iraq. Johnson, R-Plano, marks Feb. 13 as the anniversary of his "first full day of freedom" from his seven years of imprisonment, half of which was spent in solitary confinement. But even Johnson's emotional story, which brought Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, to tears, would not sway Democrats from their condemnation of the four-year-old war that has killed at least 272 Texans. Soon after retelling his POW story at a news conference, the House voted 227-197 to reject a proposal sponsored by Johnson that would have barred Congress from cutting off funding for American troops in war.
"It's caving in," Johnson said of the Democrats' resolution.
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Johnson said the Democrats' resolution would affect troop morale. He said Vietnamese guards used flagging American support for the war against him and other POWs while they were imprisoned. Democrat Solomon Ortiz, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, said the resolution is a rejection of the increase in troops, not the troops serving in the war. "Let there be no doubt; this government, this House, the American people all support our troops," he said in a news release. "This is entirely about the mission this nation asks them to do on our behalf," he added. President Bush may have the authority to increase the number of troops in Iraq, but "in this particular situation, I don't think it's the right action," added Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo. War critics say Republicans lost control of Congress in the midterm elections because of the fast declining support for the war among voters. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that lack of confidence continues. "The American people have lost faith in President Bush's course of action in Iraq and they are demanding a new direction," she said.
But Texas GOP Reps. Mac Thornberry and Kay Granger said the Democrats' resolution is little more than political grandstanding. Granger said Democrats have not yet said what new course they support. "What is the purpose of this resolution? How does it make us stronger? How does it help now?" Thornberry said. He said if Democrats were serious about their opposition to the war in Iraq, they would be offering a resolution to bring troops home now. Debate on the Iraq resolution is planned to continue through Thursday, followed by a vote likely Friday.
© 2007 Associated Press.
Editor's note:
Read more on this subject in related Hot Topics: Inside Cover Stories
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