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U.S.
Senator Member: Finance, Agriculture, Energy, Ethics and Aging Committees |
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For Immediate
Release Thursday, May 22, 2008 |
CONTACT: Stephanie Valencia – 202-494- 8790 |
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| Salazar Statement on Passage of Iraq Supplemental WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the United States Senate passed the Iraq Supplemental, which will provide our service members in Iraq and Afghanistan funds to carry out their mission and funds a new 21st Century G.I. Bill for post 9-11 veterans. The bill also includes a fix that will delay the implementation of Medicaid rules that would slash almost $800 million in Medicaid funding for nearly 30 Colorado hospitals and other key provisions. United States Senator Ken Salazar released the following statement upon the bill’s passage. “I continue to believe that we must change our mission in Iraq from combat to support. We must place the responsibility for Iraq’s future, including the security of its citizens, in the hands of the Iraqi government. Until we change our mission from one of combat to support, Iraqi politicians will not take the necessary steps toward the political reconciliation that can achieve a lasting peace. Our troops have done their job. “Today, in passing the Iraq supplemental, we are ensuring that the troops fighting valiantly in Iraq and Afghanistan have the resources they need to do their job. In addition, we are ensuring that a new generation of veterans receive the educational benefits they have earned through their wartime service. This bill includes a 21st Century G.I. Bill of Rights that will restore the principle behind the first G.I. Bill, under which the federal government covered the cost of tuition for veterans returning from World War II. This new G.I. Bill will cover up to the full cost of a four-year public education for the over 1.6 million service members, including activated National Guard and reservists, that have bravely served in Iraq or Afghanistan. Just as we have a duty to provide our men and women in uniform the equipment they need to do their jobs, we also have the duty to provide them the educational benefits that will assist them in their transition back to civilian life. “For our troops
who are still serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, we must continue our
efforts to implement a responsible change in mission that steadily reduces
our combat role in Iraq, while ensuring that Iraqi leaders take responsibility
for their own country. I have called for and will continue to call for
such a change in mission. Here at home I will continue to support the
men and women who serve our nation overseas, and I will keep working
to ensure that all our veterans have the services and opportunities
they deserve upon their return home.” ###
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