McCollum votes against spending $67 billion more for the Iraq War

McCollum votes against spending $67 billion more for the Iraq War

Monday, March 20, 2006

Congress now exceeds $300 billion in borrowed funds to pay for Iraq War with no end in sight

Washington, D.C. - The following is Congresswoman Betty McCollum's statement in opposition to H.R. 4939, which borrows $92 billion to pay for the war in Iraq and Hurricane Katrina. McCollum was joined by 19 Republicans and 51 Democrats in opposing the massive spending bill.

"Today, Congress continued its owe-as-you-go policy of borrowing and spending, burdening future generations of Americans with an additional $92 billion in debt and at the same time embracing the Bush administration's disastrous war in Iraq. Giving this administration more borrowed money for billion dollar no-bid contracts with no congressional oversight is irresponsible and a policy I can neither justify nor defend.

"In a cynical maneuver, the Republican majority linked nearly $70 billion more for maintaining U.S. troops in the middle of an Iraqi civil war with the resources needed to assist Katrina's victims and the funds necessary to keep alive the victims of genocide in Sudan's Darfur region. I strongly support providing our fellow citizens of the Gulf Coast with the resources to rebuild their lives and their communities.

"Every American soldier and marine deserves our support, as well as a realistic and honest strategy for success from the Bush administration. They also deserve a White House and Congress with the courage to pay for this war today, not pass the cost on to the children and grandchildren of every American, including every veteran who has sacrificed so much in Iraq.

"For the violence and murder stop and the civil conflict in Iraq to end it will require Iraqis, not Americans, to find solutions that brings security, stability and peace. U.S. troops should never be placed in the position of being referees in a bloody Iraqi civil war. Unfortunately, the Bush administration has no intention of drawing down U.S. troops anytime soon. Today's vote ensures, regrettably, that our troops will remain in Iraq for the foreseeable future."

http://www.mccollum.house.gov/index.asp?Type=B_PR&SEC={61A8F8C5-8576-4142-98B4-DD5208A4C2CF}&DE={F0666A70-58C0-4474-99EC-CD9821493E81}