Pastor Votes for Supplemental Appropriations Bill to Help Speed up Troops' Safe Return Home

Pastor Votes for Supplemental Appropriations Bill to Help Speed up Troops' Safe Return Home

WASHINGTON - U.S. Rep. Ed Pastor, D-Ariz., issued the following statement today on the $81 billion supplemental budget request. Pastor voted for the bill, which passed by a vote of 388 to 43. Below is Pastor's statement:

"I supported the supplemental appropriations legislation that passed the House today, not because I support the war in Iraq, but because I want our servicemen and women in Iraq and Afghanistan to come home safe and soon," Pastor said.

"The legislation approved today is a vast improvement over the last supplemental in terms of accountability and focus. It provides the resources to enhance U.S. troop protection and strengthen the Iraqi and Afghan forces whose success is essential to a stable American withdrawal," he added. "In addition, it follows through on our national commitments to tsunami disaster relief, humanitarian assistance to Darfur, and reconstruction aid to Afghanistan. Like most legislation, this supplemental is not perfect, but it is an important step towards meeting our obligation to our troops and our responsibilities as a leader in the world community.

http://www.house.gov/pastor/pr050316.htm