Barbara Lee Votes Against Defense Appropriations Bill, Calls for Cuts to Bloated Pentagon Budget and Swift Withdrawal from Afghanistan, Iraq
For Immediate Release
Contact
Ricci Graham, (510) 763-0370
Lee Opposes Defense Appropriations Bill That Continues Unchecked Spending During Economic Recovery
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) was one of 87 Members of Congress who voted to oppose the Fiscal Year 2012 Defense Appropriations bill. Congresswoman Lee introduced several amendments to the Defense Appropriations bill to cut and audit the bloated Pentagon budget and bring our troops home swiftly and safely.
Through her bipartisan work with Congressman Walter Jones (R-NC), Congresswoman Lee forced a floor vote on the Lee amendment for a fully funded withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan. The bipartisan amendment garnered 97 supporters, including 10 Republicans.
“We are fighting in a war with no military solution and with no end in sight. At the same time, critical programs like child nutrition, food stamps, and Medicare are on the chopping block as we seek to get our nation’s finances in order,” said Congresswoman Lee. “My amendment would save $33 billion and bring all our troops home by the end of next year. We need to redirect the savings towards job creation and supporting our most vulnerable, including those who have been unemployed for over two years and have no more unemployment benefits.”
Below is a short description of all the amendments that Congresswoman Barbara Lee introduced and fought for:
Bring our troops home by the end of next year and cut $33 billion from Afghanistan Combat Operations
Redirect a $5 billion war slush fund to a deficit reduction account
Freeze DoD spending until the Pentagon budget is audit-ready
Ensure that no combat troops remain in Iraq after Dec. 31, 2011
See HERE for video of Congresswoman Barbara Lee speaking on Afghanistan amendment
See HERE for video of Congresswoman Barbara Lee speaking on War Slush Fund amendment
See HERE for video of Congresswoman Barbara Lee speaking on Pentagon Audit amendment
See HERE for video of Congresswoman Barbara Lee speaking on Iraq amendment
Follow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee
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