FOXX FIGHTS FOR GREATER ACCOUNTABILITY IN WAR SUPPLEMENTAL

Thursday March 16, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Amy Auth
202-225-2071

WASHINGTON –  Today, United States Rep. Virginia Foxx (N.C.-5) introduced an amendment to strike $36.1 million in funding for international broadcasting operations from H.R. 4939, the War on Terrorism and Disaster Assistance Supplemental bill.  She introduced this amendment as a part of her ongoing efforts to cut unnecessary spending and increase accountability within the Federal Government.

“I am sure there are many folks who can tell us the merits of international broadcasting operations like Radio Free Europe, but we should debate the merits of that another time,” said Rep. Foxx. “This war supplemental spending bill was supposed to be solely for emergency spending for the war.  It should not be used as a free-for-all for non-emergency spending that should be debated in our yearly budget and appropriations process. Providing essential equipment for our troops is one thing. Increasing funding for additional international broadcasting is another. While I am open to debating the need for the additional funding, it does not belong in the emergency funding bill for the War in Iraq.”

Rep. Foxx also noted that $652.4 million had already been appropriated for international broadcasting in the FY 06 Science, State, Justice, Commerce Appropriations Bill.

Foxx’s amendment was defeated in an 88-333 vote.  She responded by saying, “I am very disappointed that more of my colleagues did not join in my efforts to move the debate over this non-emergency spending to the appropriate time.”

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