Bush Blasts Lawmakers for Neglecting Bills

Lawmakers returned from Thanksgiving break today to face a scolding from President Bush over a number of unfinished bills, the Washington Post reports. Chiefly, Bush blasted them for stalling on Iraq funding—he wants $50 billion—as he cited “surge” success and warned of defense department layoffs if Congress keeps withholding money.

"It is time for Congress to meet their responsibility to our men and women in uniform,” Bush said. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid fired back at Bush’s censure, saying, “The surge hasn't accomplished its goals; 2007 is the deadliest year of the war.” Bush also warned Congress to fix the alternative minimum tax, which was designed to tithe the wealthy but is starting to milk millions more. (More US Congress stories.)