Crowley Statement On The Iraq Supplemental Funding Bill

Press Release

CROWLEY STATEMENT ON THE IRAQ SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING BILL

Today, Congressman Joseph Crowley (D-Queens & the Bronx) issued the following statement after voting against President Bush's proposal for the continued funding of the Iraq war.

"In the four years since this war began, I have consistently voted to provide the equipment and body armor our service members need to remain safe and protected," said Crowley. "But, the time has come for us to provide our troops with more than equipment. It is time for the President to provide them with a plan for their safe return. Today's legislation fails to accomplish this, and that is why I opposed its passage.

"The American people want to bring their sons and daughters home. I want them to return too. I wish we would have defeated this bill and worked all weekend to achieve a solution ensuring a responsible redeployment plan for our troops while also providing support to rebuild the Gulf Coast region, increase the minimum wage, and maintain health care coverage for children.

In the House of Representatives, the supplemental conference report was divided into two parts: one expressly dealing with the Iraq war, and the other one handling domestic emergency responsibilities, including funds for Gulf Coast recovery, an increase to the minimum wage, and support for children's health care and veterans' health care. Congressman Crowley voted to approve the domestic part of the supplemental conference report, but against the President's request for Iraq.

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