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Cheney Vows Action on Walter Reed

March 05, 2007 1:59 PM

ABC News' Paul Fidalgo and Ann Compton Report: Vice President Cheney addressed the revelations of patient neglect at Walter Reed Army Medical Center on Monday while speaking to the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

"We're going to fix the problems at Walter Reed, period," said Cheney.

Cheney assured members of the VFW that President Bush is prepared to act. 

"President Bush has made our administration's priority very clear to the Congress and to the country," said Cheney. "There will be no excuses, only action, and the federal bureaucracy will not slow that action down."

Outlining steps being taken by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates to investigate the matter and "make sure it never happens again," Cheney said the administration intends to discover whether there are similar problems at other military hospitals. "These brave men and women deserve the heartfelt thanks of our country, and they deserve the very best medical care that our government can possibly provide," he said.

During his remarks to the VFW, Cheney once again voiced his frustrations with Congress' non-binding expressions of disapproval over the administration’s handling of the Iraq War.

"Very soon, both houses of Congress will have to vote on a piece of legislation that is binding. . .to provide emergency funding for the troops," said Cheney, "and I sincerely hope that the discussion this time will be about winning in Iraq, and not about posturing on Capitol Hill."

"Anyone can say they support the troops, and we should take them at their word," said Cheney, "but the proof will come when it's time to provide the money. We expect the House and Senate to meet those needs on time and in full measure."

The VFW is meeting this week for its annual legislative conference, which earlier in the day gave Sen. Joe Lieberman, I/D-Conn., its Congressional Award in thanks for his work on issues of concern to veterans.

White House Press Secretary Tony Snow echoed Cheney's "no excuses" language at his daily press briefing, but also testily defended the Walter Reed hospital.

"There's failures in the system that led to this," Snow said. "But I would also caution you against wholesale indictments of the system that has saved many, many lives." 

President Bush is expected to appeal to veterans for their understanding when he addresses the American Legion in Washington Tuesday.

March 5, 2007 in Vote 2008: Democrats | Permalink | User Comments (4)

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Posted by: paulet | Mar 5, 2007 4:07:36 PM

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