House Conference Secretary John Carter (R-TX) today co-sponsored a separate war funding bill (H.R. 6026), introduced by Ranking Member Jerry Lewis (R-CA), as an alternative to the Democrats’ secret spending proposal.

The emergency spending alternative introduced by Lewis has specific purposes: to fund emergency priorities for our troops in harm’s way, the Department of Defense (DOD) and foreign operations overseas.  The Democrats’ legislation, which has yet to be seen by Members of Congress or the public, is reported to include anti-war provisions that would allow Congress to micro-manage our soldiers from Washington, D.C. as well as billions in unrelated spending.

“May is Military Appreciation month, a time when we should go above and beyond to honor our military.  Instead, the Democrat Leadership has offered the funds and resources our troops need to succeed, but only if Congress agrees to spend billions in unrelated spending and let Nancy Pelosi play General from Washington, D.C. 

“Additionally, the Democrats’ bill will go straight to the floor without consideration by any House committee or input from Democrats or Republicans outside of Speaker Pelosi’s office.  It is Congress’ responsibility to craft spending bills and ensure tax dollars are spent effectively.  Overseeing a war effort and dictating strategy to commanders in the field is far beyond the scope of our constitutional obligation.

“We need to get these funds approved and we need to do it quickly.  Our troops have waited 450 days for these critical funds, and the only way to get funds to them is to work together in a bipartisan way, limit the irrelevant spending, and permit open and equal participation in the legislative process.  Our troops deserve everything we can give them and we must stop playing politics with their resources and help them succeed and return home safely.”

The alternative bill matches the President’s request and includes $178 billion in total spending for the Department of Defense, State and Foreign operations and military construction.  In comparison, the Democrat proposal contains approximately $250 billion in total spending and includes funds for numerous extraneous programs.