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For Immediate Release: May 24, 2007

Contact: Kimberly Allen, (202) 226-8364; (202) 420-1524 [cell]

Rothman Opposes Latest Iraq Supplemental

(Washington, DC)—Today, Congressman Steve Rothman (D-NJ) will vote against the latest Iraq supplemental spending bill, which provides $95 billion for military operations without restrictions on President Bush's conduct of the war. The bill also fails to include any language protecting New Jersey's tough chemical plant security regulations from being preempted by the federal government. Rep. Rothman's statement on his vote follows:

"Our brave servicemen and women should not remain in the middle of an Iraqi civil war. I intend to vote against the latest Iraq war spending bill, which fails to move us any closer to getting U.S. troops out of Iraq.

"President Bush's veto of legislation to demand accountability in Iraq is the number one reason we are in today's situation. However, I am still bitterly disappointed in the outcome. The American people voted for a new direction in Iraq, but this latest supplemental spending bill funds the war with too little change in policy. Ending the war has always been a step-by-step process, but today's bill is not a significant step forward.

"I am also extremely dissatisfied that language to protect New Jersey's right to enact tough chemical plant security regulations was removed from the bill. A state's right to protect its citizens against terrorist attacks on home soil must be preserved if we are to successfully secure our homeland.

"As a member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, which will soon consider the 2008 defense spending bill, I am anxious for the next opportunity to change the mission in Iraq, hold the Iraqi government and President Bush accountable, and bring our troops home safely. I will also continue to seek future opportunities to better secure New Jersey's chemical plants, including the 2008 homeland security spending bill."

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