2007年VOA标准英语-Bush Criticizes Congress for Attorneys Controve

By Marissa Melton
Washington
24 March 2007

President Bush used his weekly radio address Saturday to discuss two major disagreements between his Republican administration and the Democratic-controlled Congress.  One is about a congressional demand for testimony¹ under oath from White House aides in connection with the firing of eight U.S. attorneys.  The other deals with a bill approved by the House of Representatives that establishes a timetable for removing troops from Iraq. VOA's Marissa Melton reports from Washington.

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales

Mr. Bush expressed support for Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.  Some lawmakers this week called for the resignation of the nation's top legal official for his role in the firing of eight U.S. attorneys. Mr. Bush said he regrets that the issue has become what he called "a public spectacle."  He urged members of Congress to drop their demand that Gonzales and other top Bush aides testify under oath.  He called on Democrats² in Congress to put partisan³ politics aside and agree to interview the White House officials in private.

"Members of Congress now face a choice: whether they will waste time and provoke an unnecessary confrontation⁴, or whether they will join us in working to do the people's business," said Mr. Bush.

The president has the right to fire U.S. attorneys, but critics say the firings were politically motivated and that senior Justice Department officials misled members of Congress about the reasons for the dismissals.

Mr. Bush also criticized a vote in the House of Representatives Friday for approving an Iraq spending bill that sets a timetable for bringing all U.S. combat troops home from Iraq. The bill includes $124 billion in funding for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, plus more than $20 billion for domestic programs.

Mr. Bush says a timetable would weaken the U.S. effort in Iraq, and he repeated his promise to veto the bill if it

passes the Senate.

"By choosing to make a political statement and passing a bill they know will never become law, the Democrats in Congress have only delayed the delivery of the vital funds and resources our troops need," he added.

He said Congress needs to send him an Iraq funding bill that provides funds without restrictions⁵ and unnecessary spending measures.

Meanwhile, the Democrats are defending the bill.  New Hampshire Representative Paul Hodes said on U.S. radio Saturday that the measure would bring about necessary change.

"With our vote this week, we're helping⁶ our troops, protecting our veterans, and fighting to end the waste, fraud and abuse," he said.  "After four years of a failed policy, Democrats are insisting on a new direction in Iraq and a real plan that holds the Iraqi people accountable for their own country."

The Senate may vote as early as next week on its own version of the war funding bill and a timetable for withdrawing troops.  The House and Senate bills would then need to be reconciled.  But neither version is believed to have enough votes to override⁷ a presidential veto.

1 testimony   

n.证词；见证，证明

参考例句：

• The testimony given by him is dubious.他所作的证据是可疑的。
• He was called in to bear testimony to what the police officer said.他被传入为警官所说的话作证。

2 democrats   

n.民主主义者，民主人士( democrat的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The Democrats held a pep rally on Capitol Hill yesterday. 民主党昨天在国会山召开了竞选誓师大会。
• The democrats organize a filibuster in the senate. 民主党党员组织了阻挠议事。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 partisan   

adj.党派性的；游击队的；n.游击队员；党徒

参考例句：

• In their anger they forget all the partisan quarrels.愤怒之中，他们忘掉一切党派之争。
• The numerous newly created partisan detachments began working slowly towards that region.许多新建的游击队都开始慢慢地向那里移动。

4 confrontation   

n.对抗，对峙，冲突

参考例句：

• We can't risk another confrontation with the union.我们不能冒再次同工会对抗的危险。
• After years of confrontation,they finally have achieved a modus vivendi.在对抗很长时间后，他们最后达成安宁生存的非正式协议。

5 restrictions   

约束( restriction的名词复数 )； 管制； 制约因素； 带限制性的条件（或规则）

参考例句：

• I found the restrictions irksome. 我对那些限制感到很烦。
• a snaggle of restrictions 杂乱无章的种种限制

6 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

7 override   

vt.不顾，不理睬，否决；压倒，优先于

参考例句：

• The welfare of a child should always override the wishes of its parents.孩子的幸福安康应该永远比父母的愿望来得更重要。
• I'm applying in advance for the authority to override him.我提前申请当局对他进行否决。