Washington, DC—Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid made the following statement today about Democrats’ efforts to provide our troops the funding, training and equipment they need to make America more secure:

“President Bush’s refusal to be held accountable for his flawed war policy – and Congressional Republicans’ refusal to stand up to the President – puts our troops at great strain and our nation at great risk.  Democrats have consistently provided the funding, training and equipment our troops need; already passed over $459 billion for the Department of Defense; and last week offered the President an additional $50 billion provided he works with us to change course in Iraq to a strategy that makes America more secure.  Even though a majority of the Senate and majority of Americans support this reasonable plan, Senate Republicans blocked it.  It is unacceptable to hold our military’s resources hostage for political purposes – especially for someone like the President whose rhetoric supports the troops but whose actions do not seem to follow.”

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