Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/president-urges-congress-to-work-with-him-on-iraq-funding Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Transcript President Bush renewed his veto threat Friday against any Iraq funding bill containing language requiring a timetable for troop withdrawal. He encouraged Democrats to work with him on an alternative. Columnists Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the power struggle. Read the Full Transcript Notice: Transcripts are machine and human generated and lightly edited for accuracy. They may contain errors. RAY SUAREZ: With his veto pen at the ready, President Bush gives his reasons for rejecting a war spending bill tied to troop withdrawals. Mr. Bush spoke this morning from Camp David.GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States: The reason why I'm going to is because the members of Congress have made military decisions on behalf of the military. They're telling our generals what to do. They're withdrawing before we've even finished reinforcing our troops in Baghdad.They're sending, in my judgment, a bad message to the Iraqis, and to an enemy, and, most importantly, to our military folks. I'm sorry it's come to this. In other words, I'm sorry that we've, you know, had this, you know, the issue evolved the way it has.But nevertheless, it is what it is, and it will be vetoed. And my veto will be sustained. And then the question is the way forward. And my suggestion is that — and I invite the leaders of the House and the Senate, both parties, to come down, you know, soon after my veto so we can discuss a way forward.And if the Congress wants to test my will as to whether or not I'll accept a timetable for withdrawal, I won't accept one. I just don't think it's in the interest of our troops.You know, it's important to have a political debate. But as I've consistently said, we don't want our troops in between the debate. And Congress needs to get this money to the Pentagon, so the Pentagon can get the money to the troops, so our readiness will be up to par and people training missions will go forward.