Rice, Rumsfeld Defend War Spending

March 9, 2006 — -- It was the first time since the Iraq War started that a defense secretary and a secretary of state had testified before Congress. You'd think Iraq would be the only thing on everyone's mind. But no. They also took questions from senators on some of their pet issues, like Polish entry visas, the Dubai port sale and the Pentagon's alleged surveillance of anti-war protestors in Vermont.

Secretaries Donald Rumsfeld and Condoleezza Rice went before the Senate Appropriations Committee to press for quick passage of the $65 billion spending bill that would continue to fund the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. For added firepower, they brought along Joint Chiefs Chairman Peter Pace and Gen. John Abizaid, the general commanding officer all U.S. forces in the Middle East.

It looked as if this hearing would be business as usual. Anytime there's a top administration official testifying on Iraq, there's always an anti-war protestor who gets escorted out of the room for disrupting the hearing. Today was no exception. A protestor leaped to his feet just as Secretary Rice began her opening statement. As usual, Capitol police escorted him out and released him shortly thereafter.

After the officials' entreaties for funding, senators began their questioning. Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, known for pork largesse in his home state, peppered the generals on who was going to make sure the funds would be properly spent. After that, the hearing became an opportunity for senators to state their opinions on the Dubai port sale.

Republican senators urged the panel to state their opinions on the Dubai deal, knowing full well they'd hear favorable responses. Repeatedly, Rice, Rumsfeld, Pace and Abizaid explained how valuable an ally the United Arab Emirates has been in the war on terror.

Sen. Byron Borgan, D-S.D., told the committee he would introduce a bill identical to the controversial amendment the House attached to the Iraq bill last night.