Democrats are again trying to hide behind the American soldier, this time to further push the nation into debt.

Congressman John Carter (TX-31) today joined other Republican members of the Appropriations Committee in a pledge to vote against the FY 2010 Defense Appropriations if it includes legislative issues such as increasing the debt limit. Update: Speaker Pelosi said she would include the debt limit issue in the defense bill. Read about it here.

"Attaching costly and controversial non-defense items to the defense bill is an embarrassing attempt to use our nation’s soldiers, who are fighting so valiantly for their country, as a shield for out-of-control Democrat spending," Carter said. "Our men and women in uniform deserve this support without strings and caveats, and without being used as bargaining chips."

Democrats hope to raise the debt ceiling by $1.8 trillion so they can continue spending in 2010. But because this would be a dramatic and unpopular increase for the American people, troops could be used as protection.

The House passed its version of the Defense Appropriations bill four months ago, and it has been two months since the Senate did the same. But this legislation has been held hostage since then.

"There is no valid reason why a clean defense bill could not have already been approved and signed into law, giving our troops a much needed infusion of resources, as well as the support of their Congressional leaders," Carter said. "We need to give soldiers what they deserve, and we need to stop trying to hide legislation behind them."