And. in fact. only 3 of the 18 benchmarks the Iraqi Government and our Government agreed were important have been fully accomplished. President Bush. however. has not held the Iraqi Government accountable for its failures as he promised. Instead. he has asked for over $170 billion to stay the present course: arming opposing militias. meddling in intraShia violence. and tinkering around the edges of the growing refugee crisis. The President wants money for his war. but says he will veto any conditions on those funds or any additional funds this Congress offers for the other urgent needs that face our Nations troops. our Nations families. and our Nations economy. To govern is to choose.