Walz defends further pay raise for troops

05/19/2007

Star Tribune
Last update: May 18, 2007


WASHINGTON - Rep. Tim Walz, D-Minn., said Friday that President Bush's judgment is "misplaced" when it comes to taking care of soldiers.

Walz was speaking about measures that the president opposes in the National Defense Authorization Act during a conference call organized by VoteVets.org and Americans Against the Escalation in Iraq.

The House passed the bill 397 to 27 on Thursday, but earlier this week the administration said it had concerns about an extra 0.5 percent military pay increase on top of a proposed 3 percent raise, among other things.

Walz said the increase works out to be on average $6 extra per month.

"I'm here to tell you right now he will not and should not think about calling these small increases to our soldiers and to our families unnecessary," Walz said.

BRADY AVERILL