Bush to Congress: Pass war spending bill

FORT BRAGG, N.C., May 22 (UPI) -- U.S. President George Bush used a pre-Memorial Day visit Thursday to Fort Bragg, N.C., to push Congress to pass "a responsible war funding bill."

Bush welcomed home paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division, many of whom have served multiple tours in Iraq.

"I know there have been some disagreements on the war on terror. But whatever -- wherever members of Congress stood on the decision to remove Saddam Hussein, we should be able to agree that our troops deserve America's full support," Bush said before inspecting barracks conditions at the installation.

"And that means the United States Congress needs to pass a responsible war funding bill that does not tie the hands of our commanders and gives our troops everything they need to complete and accomplish the mission."

Bush noted the mission in Iraq "has been long and trying."

"But when the history books are written, they will show that this generation of heroes was as great as any in the history of our nation," Bush said. "They will show that America refused to shrink in the face of terror. They will show that freedom prevailed."