Keith Votes Against Iraq War Funding and For Veterans, People with Disabilities, and Unemployment Benefits Extension
On Thursday, June 19, Keith voted to deny President Bush more funding for the War in Iraq. The emergency spending bill Keith voted against could grant the President $162 billion more for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. “We have lost 4,103 of America’s best and brightest young people and another 30,000 are horribly wounded. A lot of them will require care for much of their lives, and yet, we keep spending $10 BILLION a month in Iraq.
“We have built over 800 schools, almost 5,000 water and sewer projects and over 1,000 roads and bridges in Iraq. At the same time, gas and food prices go through the roof here at home. Home foreclosures put our families on the streets and our neighborhoods in crisis. Our own infrastructure is falling apart.
“Enough is enough! One day of spending in Iraq would pay for rebuilding the whole I-35W Bridge in Minneapolis.” Keith said. “I won’t vote to send American taxpayers’ money to Iraq until we have firm deadlines and timetables for bringing our troops home safe.”
The huge Emergency Spending bill crafted by the Administration and Congress was broken into two parts: the funding for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and a section addressing domestic needs.
Keith pointed out his support for important provisions in the second part of the bill. “I voted for part of the bill – the part that makes sure returning troops will have the same education benefits the GI Bill gave World War II veterans,” Keith said.
Those benefits can also transfer to the spouses and children of veterans.
The bill also provides emergency assistance to families who’ve suffered from the devastating floods in the Midwest these past weeks.
Also contained in the bill was a provision written by Keith that would stop Bush administration cuts to Medicaid. Those cuts would costs thousands of Minnesota families and children $40 - $50 million in health care benefits, according to the Minnesota Department of Human Services. “I’m grateful to be able to help ensure that children in foster homes and adults with disabilities are able to get the services they need to lead productive lives in our society,” Ellison said. “Everybody counts, everybody matters.”