Democratic Radio Response Accuses Bush of 'Hollow Talk'

WASHINGTON – A Democratic senator is accusing President Bush of "hollow talk" in support of U.S. troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Senator Patty Murray of Washington says the Bush administration has not done nearly enough to provide veterans with the care they need. Speaking in the party's weekly radio address, Murray says when it comes to caring for our veterans, Democrats "are not about to start taking advice from George Bush."

Bush scolded Democrats on Thursday for combining spending bills for defense and veterans programs with one for labor, health and education matters. Republicans consider the bill bloated.

Murray says Bush hasn't provided enough funding for the Veterans Affairs Department and says thousands of troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are "stuck in a bureaucratic nightmare" and not getting the health care they need.