“I have long urged the Administration to take responsibility for the mismanagement of the Iraq war,” Berry said. “Today Congress approved necessary funds for refurbishing and replacing worn or damaged military equipment, fund combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, and various other activities related to the war. There is no doubt our nation must finish what it has begun, but it is the very nature of making such a request in an emergency funding bill that is disturbing.

“The need for these materials was well documented over the last two years; why then did the President omit such expenditures in the budget he sent to Congress just last month? Certainly this $75 billion for the effort in Iraq and Afghanistan was a foreseen expense.  

“I voted for the funding today because I want to provide our troops with the materials they need to get the job done and get home safe. However, I have grave concerns with an Administration that has either turned a blind eye to the immediate needs of the men and women it places in harms way, or saw the need and willfully ignored it until the problem reached ‘emergency’ status.”