Bush waives benchmark requirement

[Coexist]

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/07/20070712-1.html

Memorandum for the Secretary of State

July 12, 2007

Presidential Determination

No. 2007-27

MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE

SUBJECT: Waiver of Limitation on Obligation and

Expenditure of $642.5 million in Fiscal

Year 2007 Economic Support Funds for Iraq

Pursuant to the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, including section 1314(c)(2) of the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007 (Public Law 110 28)(the "Act"), I hereby waive the requirements of section 1314(c)(1) for $642.5 million of Fiscal Year 2007 Economic Support Funds for Iraq and direct you to submit to the Congress this determination along with the certification in accordance with section 1314(c)(2) of the Act.

You are hereby directed to publish this determination in the Federal Register.

GEORGE W. BUSH

Gee - what idiots would include that provision in a war spending bill?!

[Bluebear]

1. "Presidential Determination" - he's the DECIDER again. nt

[JHB]

2. The kind who don't fight. n/t

[babylonsister]

3. Can someone explain this to me? What exactly is he waiving? nt

[Coexist]

4. if he didn't meet the benchmarks for progress in the War Funding Bill

he got his funds cut off - unless he chose to use his handy "waiver".

http://www.cnn.com/POLITICS/blogs/politicalticker/2007/05/withdrawal-timetable-dropped-from-war.html
<snip>
"If the Iraqi government fails to meet the benchmarks, the aides said, reconstruction funds could be cut. The bill may also allow the president to waive the penalties for failing to meet the benchmarks if he feels they are necessary."

[babylonsister]

11. Oh, so he's nulling and voiding the benchmarks. I think I'm going to be ill. nt

[Coexist]

12. I'm too numb.

[Double T]

5. I think bush just nullified congress's requirements for providing the......

'war' funding.

[IChing]

10. Well, we better not impeach because he might have a signing

statement on that also.

[Solly Mack]

6. When you wear a kick me sign, don't be surprised when you're kicked

[Coexist]

7. well put

[Double T]

8. Damn..... this is unbelievable. Somebody pinch me and tell me this is ONLY a bad nightmare!

[seafan]

9. This idiotic legislation:

Withdrawal timetable dropped from war spending bill; waiver for benchmarks included

May-22-07


I will NEVER get over some Dems doing this. They own this dirty little invasion and occupation just as much as *.

[Coexist]

13. it made a lot of us angry

I loved Keith Olbermann's special commnet on that vote.