President Bush challenged Congress Tuesday to quickly pass war funding legislation before its December holiday recess. Bush called on Congress to pass funding for the Iraq and Afghan wars before the holiday recess.
"Congress still has a lot to do, and it doesn't have very much time to do it, Bush told reporters during a White House news conference, his first in nearly seven weeks. "Our men and women shouldn't have to wait any longer."
The president has criticized lawmakers for weeks for failing to send him legislation that would extend Defense Department funding for U.S.-led wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
He has said the delay would eventually force the layoffs of 100,000 civilian Defense Department workers.
In addition, the Army will run out of operations and maintenance money if such legislation isn't passed by February, Bush has said. The Marines would run out of money by March, he said.
