Republicans Put Security at Risk

Rep. Lindsey Graham and Sen. Joe Lieberman threw hissy fits, saying they would shut down the House & the Senate if their amendment to stop release of the torture photos didn't pass. This amendment was originally attached to the war spending supplemental. (They have since tried to attach it to everything going by - fortunately so far without success). Now Republicans are refusing to pass the supplemental because it includes cash for the International Monetary Fund (IMF) .

The White House wants the funds for the IMF included to honor its pledge to foreign leaders - in part because the US is partially responsible for the world-wide economic downturn. The Republican leadership does not want to support the IMF, saying that this money will only support state sponsored terrorism.

Yesterday, in a letter sent to Sen. Harry Reid, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Sen. Mitch McConnell, and Rep. John Boehner, Secretarys Clinton and Gates, and National Security Advisor James Jones asked that they support this bill on the grounds of national security. Saying:

"With adequate funding, the IMF will strengthen our national security by mitigating the national security crisis and inhibiting the growth of terrorist networks. We ask you for your support for this critical contribution to the IMF and the supplemental appropriations bill."

Gates is a Republican, his reasoning (and that of Clinton and Jones) makes sense. It will be pretty difficult for the Republican leadership to come up with another reason to deny passage - although I will be curious to see what they come up with.

Thanks for stopping by. Come back soon.
k