October 14, 2003
“In the meantime, I want them to have the health benefits they deserve, the bulletproof vests they need, and the basic supplies that have been denied them. I want to know that our wounded and our veterans receive proper treatment and proper respect.”
“But we do not protect our troops and Congress will not have done its job if we blindly sign this $87 billion check. We have not had an adequate accounting of how the last $78 billion was spent. We still do not have anything close to sufficient proof to support the allegations raised by the Administration that Iraq posed an imminent threat to the United States. And we do not have an exit strategy that leads the Iraqi people to control of their own government, their own resources, and their own obligations and that leads us out of this quagmire.”
“We did not have to go down this path. We could have pursued containment, inspections, and multilateralism and saved hundreds of American lives and potentially hundreds of billions of dollars. We have urgent unmet needs here at home. We have schools here that need to be reconstructed, housing that needs to be built, and jobs that need to be created. We had choices before, and we have choices now. We should not appropriate another cent without a clear vision of how and when the United Nations will assume real authority over the political and economic transition in Iraq and how and when American troops will be coming home.”
“I am glad that the CBC has chosen to unanimously oppose this bill. The CBC continues to be the conscience of the Congress.”
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Congressional Black Caucus Announces Opposition to President Bush’s $87 Billion Supplemental Appropriations Request
Congresswoman Lee Issues Statement on Opposing Bush’s Request.
“I oppose this $87 billion installment payment for the war against Iraq. Like all of my CBC colleagues, I support our troops. As the daughter of a career Army officer, I could do nothing less. My hearts and prayers go out to our troops and their families. I want to see them safe at home and reunited as soon as possible.”“In the meantime, I want them to have the health benefits they deserve, the bulletproof vests they need, and the basic supplies that have been denied them. I want to know that our wounded and our veterans receive proper treatment and proper respect.”
“But we do not protect our troops and Congress will not have done its job if we blindly sign this $87 billion check. We have not had an adequate accounting of how the last $78 billion was spent. We still do not have anything close to sufficient proof to support the allegations raised by the Administration that Iraq posed an imminent threat to the United States. And we do not have an exit strategy that leads the Iraqi people to control of their own government, their own resources, and their own obligations and that leads us out of this quagmire.”
“We did not have to go down this path. We could have pursued containment, inspections, and multilateralism and saved hundreds of American lives and potentially hundreds of billions of dollars. We have urgent unmet needs here at home. We have schools here that need to be reconstructed, housing that needs to be built, and jobs that need to be created. We had choices before, and we have choices now. We should not appropriate another cent without a clear vision of how and when the United Nations will assume real authority over the political and economic transition in Iraq and how and when American troops will be coming home.”
“I am glad that the CBC has chosen to unanimously oppose this bill. The CBC continues to be the conscience of the Congress.”
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