House Republicans, Outraged At Insult to Marines, Ask President to Rescind Berkeley Earmarks

Press Release

House Republicans, Outraged At Insult to Marines, Ask President to Rescind Berkeley Earmarks

Today, in direct response to the Berkeley California City Council's disgraceful actions to limit Marine Corps recruiting during a time of war, Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Vista) and 41 House Republican members asked President George W. Bush to immediately rescind over $2 million in earmarks awarded to the City in the 2008 Consolidated Appropriations bill signed into law December 26, 2007.

In the letter the Members state, "Our U.S. Marines do not selectively defend our country, its people, or our freedom. Therefore, we should not reward jurisdictions that selectively support our troops."

On January 29, the Berkeley City Council approved a recommendation defaming the U.S. Marine Corps stating the Marine Corps Recruiting Station at 64 Shattuck Avenue is "not welcome in the City, and if recruiters choose to stay, they do so as uninvited and unwelcome intruders." The Council further instructed the City Attorney to seek legal options to remove the recruiting station and applauds and encourages residents and grassroots organizations, such as Code Pink, who attempt to impede the work of Marines at this location.

"Speaker Pelosi and her demeaning and contradictory comments about the work our Marines are doing in Iraq have clearly emboldened MoveOn.org, Code Pink, and the City of Berkeley to pass this outrageous proclamation. Berkeley has insulted and condoned hateful harassment toward the men and women who serve in America's armed forces," said Rep. Issa who represents the largest Marine Corps facility on the west coast. "Sending designated federal money to this city strikes me as contrary to America's national interest."

Cosigners of the letter include Republican Conference Chairman Adam Putnam (R-Florida), Armed Services Ranking Member and California colleague Duncan Hunter (R - El Cajon), and fellow California members Rep. John Campbell (R-Newport Beach), Brian Bilbray (R-Carlsbad), Ken Calvert (R-Corona), Wally Herger (R-Chico), Dana Rohrabacher (R), and Howard P. "Buck" McKeon (R-Santa Clarita).

In light of the City of Berkeley's actions, Issa also co-sponsored the Semper Fi Act introduced by Rep. John Campbell and H.Res. 958 by Rep. John Kline (R-MN) reaffirming Congress's commitment to the men and women serving in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Representative Issa represents California's 49th Congressional District, which includes Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base in Oceanside, California.

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