Ellison Votes to End War in Afghanistan, Argues for Investment in the Middle Class

Statement

Congressman Keith Ellison (DFL-Minneapolis) released the following statement following his vote against the Senate Amendment to H.R. 4899, Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2010, which provides continued funding for the war in Afghanistan:

Yesterday I stood for a rational and effective U.S. policy in Afghanistan. This supplemental funding legislation does not represent an effective way forward. This bill fails to bring the necessary departure from past policy that the American people have called for. A successful policy must reduce the U.S. military footprint in Afghanistan, increase civilian-led involvement, and protect our soldiers on the frontline. Sadly, this legislation does far too little to accomplish these goals and to correct the imbalance between our military expenditures and our diplomatic efforts.

Further, I reject the idea that our country can continue to spend hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars on a decade of war, rather than investing in jobs, education and infrastructure for America's working families.

I came to Congress with the goal of securing middle class prosperity and making peace the guiding philosophy of American foreign policy. My vote was a call for peace throughout the world and investment in the American middle class.

Source