Boozman Votes for Funding Without Strings

Press Release

Boozman Votes for Funding Without Strings

U.S. Representative John Boozman (R-AR) today praised passage of a wartime supplemental bill to fully fund America's military, while holding the Iraqi government accountable in its efforts to build a better Iraq.

"I am glad the House leadership woke up to reality, and the fact that we have men and women in harm's way today that have needed this extra funding so they may have the proper tools to fulfill their mission," Boozman said. "This vote is an acknowledgement of the American people's desire to not see the lives of their sons and daughters used as pawns in a game of Beltway politics. I am proud to join with this bipartisan majority so that we may can take the next step toward completing our mission in Iraq and bringing our troops home safely."

The $120 billion supplemental includes about $100 billion for military and diplomatic efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan and an additional $9 billion on improving health-care for members of the military. The bill does not include a timetable, or a date-certain, for withdrawal of troops from Iraq while putting in place a plan which could lead to the withholding of U.S. aid dollars for Iraq if Baghdad fails to make progress on political and security reforms.

Previous attempts at passage of an Iraq supplemental have resulted in a veto by President Bush. Due to the stripping of language, which would micromanage the conflict by Congress, it is expected the President will sign the bill.

"After a 108 days of playing games and withholding funds, we can now move forward to find commonsense solutions which will lead to the successful conclusion of the war in Iraq," Boozman said.

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