CRAPO: MILITARY, PRESIDENT SHOULD MAKE IRAQ DECISIONS

Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo today voted against a supplemental spending bill requiring a timetable for withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq, calling it unfair to American servicemen and women, their commanders, and the President. The Senate vote followed House approval of the supplemental bill approved earlier in conference. President Bush warned he will veto the measure due, in part, to the Iraq language."A fair debate about our strategy in fighting terrorists is acceptable; ensuring failure by undercutting our military's important mission is wrong and setting timetables serves to embolden our enemies," Crapo said in voting against the measure which passed the Senate by a 51-46 vote. "The President will appropriately veto this bill and the small margin of approval it received means there will be no override. Now we can get down to the business of crafting a supplemental which does not include these issues, supports our troops and may include needed funding for Idaho."