Conyers Explains his Opposition to the Iraq Emergency Supplemental Appropriation for FY 2006

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman John Conyers, Jr. explained his vote to oppose the appropriation of $72.4 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan even though the bill also included Hurricane Katrina relief, low-income heating assistance, aid to Liberia and Sudan, and funding for veterans.

"It was with deep regret," said Conyers, "that I voted against passage of this supplemental appropriation. Since Hurricane Katrina wrought havoc on our Gulf coast, I have decried the federal government's stingy approach to aid and reconstruction. I have joined with my colleagues for years in urging the Administration to provide more funding for veterans' benefits. I fully support increased Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program funding, as well as aid to Liberia and Sudan. However, I will not be held hostage by the Republicans' cynical two-step trick to ensure continued funding for the Administration's failed policy in Iraq.

First, the Republicans continued to separate Iraq funding from the overall defense budget, so that they could hide the true cost of the war and force the Congress to pass these so-called 'emergency' supplemental appropriations. Then they bundled this war appropriation with funding for numerous important programs that we all favor, so they could force it through the House and do an end run around real debate on the issues.

I am a Korean War veteran, and I support our troops as much as anyone in Congress; however, I would do so by redeploying out of Iraq as soon as practicably possible. I would vote any time for additional funds to pay for such safe redeployment. For this reason I have signed on to the proposal of Representative Jim McGovern, H.R. 4232, The End the War in Iraq Act.

This vote was not about 'supporting the troops.' It was just one more attempt to tie the Congress' hands by forcing us to give up our only means of control over the war, the power of the purse. I will not be blackmailed into approving funding for our open-ended participation in hostilities in Iraq. A vote in favor of additional funding is in effect agreeing to fund this disastrous policy for as long as this Administration sees fit. All indications point to no end in sight.

The price for continuing this war is too high, not merely in deficit spending, but in American lives and Iraqi civilian casualties. The American taxpayers should not have to spend one more penny on the Administration's Iraq adventure. Let's give our troops the supplies they need to get out of Iraq safely. It is long past time to bring them home."

###3-16-2006###