Bush to Veto Iraq War Funding: Cites Constitutional Grounds
President Bush today vetoed the controversial Iraq War funding measure, citing constitutional issues. “This bill is unconstitutional, and therefore, I exercise my right to veto it,” the President said in a statement released to the press.
In response to questions later in the day, the President noted that it was not the attempted usurpation of his duties as Commander in Chief that led to the veto. “Heck no, if they want to take credit for the outcome of the war, I’m happy to hand it over to them.” Citing Article II of the Constitution, Mr. Bush noted that Congress may not legislate for the general welfare, the President noted that specific spending measures rendered the bill unconstitutional.
“We cannot have these ornament sales in the gift shop, nor do we need $40 million for a tree assistance program,” the President noted, referring to two of many pork handouts needed to pass a war funding bill by a body that purports to support the troops. “Congress, for years having thought that money grows on trees, now thinks that trees grow on money,” noted the President.