Braley Statement on Passage of Afghanistan Supplemental Including "Cash for Clunkers" Program

Statement

Braley Statement on Passage of Afghanistan Supplemental Including "Cash for Clunkers" Program

Rep. Bruce Braley released the following statement after voting in favor of the conference report on President Obama's supplemental funding request for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Today's conference report contains $1 billion for Braley's "Cash for Clunkers" program, which would provide consumers with incentives of $3,500 or $4,500 to purchase new, fuel-efficient vehicles to replace old gas-guzzlers:

"I've long said that Iraq has been a distraction from the war on terror and that we need to refocus our efforts on the war in Afghanistan. I support President Obama's efforts to set a timeline and show that he is working to redeploy our troops from Iraq and shift focus to pursuing Al-Qaeda.

"Congress has a responsibility to provide strict oversight of the actions in Iraq and Afghanistan. I am working hard to provide that oversight and to hold the President to his plan for Iraq. I've also sponsored a bill with Congressman Jim McGovern that would require Secretary Gates to submit a plan to Congress by the end of the year outlining an exit strategy for Afghanistan.

"I applaud the inclusion of my "Cash for Clunkers" program, which will provide a needed boost to the economy. This common-sense idea will reduce emissions and save American jobs by jumpstarting the auto industry. Today's bill will get the "Cash for Clunkers" program moving so families and American workers will soon see these important benefits."

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