Pelosi Announces Opposition to $87 Billion Iraq Supplemental

October 15, 2003

Washington, D.C. -- House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi today released the following statement on the Supplemental budget request for Iraq, which is scheduled for a vote on the House floor tomorrow:

"Today, as the House begins consideration of the President’s $87 billion Supplemental budget request for Iraq, I announce my intention to vote against the President’s request and reiterate my support for the Democratic substitute.

"Democrats take seriously our Constitutional responsibility to provide for the common defense and to protect our troops. We know the United States must succeed in restoring stability in Iraq.

"But the President has failed to provide the tools our troops need to get the job done and a plan to get them home safely and soon. To date, there has been no accounting for the $63 billion that we appropriated last spring, and no accountability for the failure to plan for post-war Iraq. As a result, American soldiers are taking virtually all the risks and the American taxpayers are paying virtually all the bills.

"The President’s Supplemental budget request is an $87 billion bailout for his failed policy. It is time for the Bush Administration to be held accountable for its policy, which miscalculated the risk in post-war Iraq, misunderstood the challenge, and misrepresented the facts. As retired Marine Corps General Anthony Zinni has said, the level of sacrifice has not been matched by the level of planning.

"Congressman David Obey has proposed a Democratic substitute that does more to support our troops and to encourage international participation in stabilizing and rebuilding Iraq. It does so at less cost to American taxpayers.

"House Democrats stand united with our troops. We honor our men and women in uniform for their courage, patriotism, and the sacrifice they are willing to make. They are risking their lives and expect and deserve our support."

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