Press Release |
Media Contact: Sally Tibbetts 941.951.6643 | ||
BUCHANAN OPPOSES IRRESPONSIBLE MEASURE THAT UNDERMINES MILITARYCALLS FOR CLEAN FUNDING BILL TO SUPPORT OUR TROOPS |
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| March 23, 2007 | |||
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Washington, DC -- U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL) voted today against a supplemental appropriations bill that sets an arbitrary withdrawal deadline and handcuffs our generals fighting the War on Terror. “This is supposed to be an emergency funding bill for our troops yet $20 billion in unrelated, non-military pork has been added to ensure its passage on the House floor,” Buchanan said. “I cannot support a bill that undermines our chances of success in Iraq, handcuffs our generals and micromanages the war by setting arbitrary and politically driven deadlines for withdrawal, and includes millions of dollars in unrelated pork-barrel spending,” said Buchanan. “That is not how we should be supporting our troops. We need a clean supplemental spending bill that will quickly provide our soldiers with the funding and support they deserve.” Buchanan noted that the emergency war supplemental has been rightly criticized as irresponsible and politically motivated. The Los Angeles Times has said the bill represents bad policy and sets a bad precedent. The Washington Post reported that the bill includes millions of dollars in pork-barrel spending designed to win votes including the following: • $25 million for spinach growers Buchanan is one of more than 100 lawmakers who have signed a discharge petition to bring to the floor a responsible bill to provide essential funding for our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. The bill, H.R. 511, would mandate federal funding in support troops in harm’s way. “Our troops deserve a chance to succeed,” added Buchanan. “A clean supplemental would fully-fund the needs of those fighting for victory with no strings attached.” A majority of the House, 218 lawmakers, must sign the discharge petition to force the bill out of committee and to the floor of the House for a vote. |
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