Today's Article
Representative Chris
Van Hollen (D-MD)
has produced a blunt,
accurate critique of
the mistaken priorities
of George W. Bush.
The American Spark
Bush Cares More For Iraq Than America, Implies Senator

By Cliff Montgomery - Nov. 29th, 2007

Representative Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) produced a blunt, accurate critique of the mistaken priorities of
George W. Bush in his November 13th extension of remarks on the House's Labor-Health-Education
appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2008.

The legislation was to establish "appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services,
and Education, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, and for other purposes,"
according to its official title.

The bill originally passed the House on July 19th, 2007. It then moved on to the Senate, where it also easily
passed on Oct. 23rd.

But a Bush veto on this essential legislation forced House members to push for a veto override, which
necessitated a two-thirds majority approval from U.S. representatives--a near-impossible task.

The Labor-HHS-Education package failed the attempted veto override on Nov. 15th, with a final tally of 277 -
141. Fifteen House members did not vote on this important legislation--including Van Hollen himself. A shame,
since the bill fell only 12 votes short of overriding Bush's veto.

One would think that Mr. Van Hollen would actually vote on a matter he himself declares to be so vital to the
well-being of the country...

All the same, Van Hollen's portrayal of twisted presidential priorities sticks to this White House, and still
deserves consideration.

We quote Rep. Van Hollen's extension of remarks below:


"Madam Speaker, I am disappointed that the President chose today to veto important funding for our domestic
priorities.

"After seven years of unrestrained spending and a ballooning deficit, the President has, under the guise of
fiscal responsibility, rejected a $6.2 billion funding increase for education, health care, and workforce
development--even as he requests nearly $200 billion in un-budgeted, no-strings attached funding to continue
the Iraq War for another year.

"That is no way to balance America's checkbook.

"...We can take care of America at home--increase funding for our schools, offer more student assistance for
college, invest in biomedical research...expand health care access, and help Americans compete in the
global economy--and balance the budget by 2012.

"These priorities are America's priorities. It is time for Congress to come together, stand up for the American
people and override this veto."



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