Bush signs war funding measure

WASHINGTON, June 30 (UPI) -- U.S. President George Bush Monday signed the $162 billion supplemental appropriations bill to fund the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The measure also provides $2.7 billion in disaster aid, plus funds for expanding the GI Bill, extending unemployment benefits and fighting drug trafficking in Latin America.

"A few moments ago I signed legislation that funds our troops who are in harm's way. Our nation has no greater responsibility than supporting our men and women in uniform -- especially since we're at war," Bush said.

"We owe these brave Americans our gratitude. We owe them our unflinching support. And the best way to demonstrate that support is to give them the resources they need to do their jobs and to prevail. The bill I sign today does exactly that. It provides necessary funds to support our troops as they conduct military operations in Iraq, in Afghanistan, and in other theaters in the war on terror."

Bush praised the measure for what it didn't have as well as what it contained.

"I appreciate that Republicans and Democrats in Congress agreed to provide these vital funds without tying the hands of our commanders, and without an artificial timetable of withdrawal from Iraq," Bush said.