LAWMAKERS TO OFFER AMERICAN PARITY AMENDMENT TO WAR SUPPLEMENTAL

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Reps. Rahm Emanuel (D-IL) and Peter DeFazio (D-OR) were joined by Reps. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT.), William Delahunt (D-MA.), Sam Farr (D-CA), Louise Slaughter (D-NY) to announce their intentions to offer the “American Parity Amendment” to the $87 billion Iraq War Supplemental Appropriations bill.  The amendment, endorsed by the American Federation of State, Federal and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), adds $20.3 billion for improvements in health care, education and infrastructure in America, to match the $20.3 billion in economic stimulus included in the emergency supplemental bill to rebuild Iraq.  Following are the lawmakers' remarks:

Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.):  H.R. 1738, the American Parity Act is simple, straightforward and fair.  As the $87 billion supplemental is debated on the Senate floor this week, we are calling for the $20.3 billion set aside for rebuilding Iraq to be matched with at least equal consideration and spending on American priorities.  We want to give American families a boost, just as the supplemental gives Iraqi families.  We're asking for an increase to America’s domestic priorities such as health care, education and transportation, by the very same amount.

We cannot deny Americans the same dreams – of affordable health care, of a quality education, of a safe place to live – that we promise to Iraqi citizens.  The same values that we hold for Iraq, we must pledge for American.  We must ensure that the same goals we envision for Iraq, we envision for America.

Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.):  “During the lead up to the war in Iraq, we had great assurances from the President and his staff that in the aftermath of the war the American people wouldn't be tagged with the bill.  What a difference a few months make.

“Last April Congress approved $70 billion for Iraq, and now the President wants Congress to borrow, on behalf of the American people, another $87 billion for the ongoing conflict and to rebuild Iraq.  That's right, borrow.  We're going to obligate Americans for the next 30 years to pay for the rebuilding of Iraq.  In fact, the men and women serving in Iraq now will come home to a 'jobless recovery' and be saddled with the bill for this Iraq reconstruction.

“According to the President, in order to create a democratic and civil society, there must be massive investment in public works and public infrastructure; and the American people should borrow the money to do those things so the Iraqi people can move toward a democratic and civil society. 

“Unfortunately, the President doesn't seem to think it's necessary or advisable, to borrow money to make similar investments to ensure the continuance of a democratic and civil society here in the United States.

“The President says it's necessary to borrow these funds on behalf of this generation and future generations of Americans so the Iraqis can live a better life, but we can't afford to do similar projects here.  If that money were spent here in the United States of America, it would put one million people to work, but that's not on the President's radar screen.”

Rep. Louise M. Slaughter (NY-28):  “If we are going to fund first responders, education and health care in Iraq, we must do it at home too.  The Administration grossly underestimated the true costs of rebuilding Iraq, and now the American taxpayers are being asked to bear the burden. The number of uninsured in America is skyrocketing. The poverty and unemployment rates are rising. We cannot provide prescription drugs for our seniors or repair our crumbling roads and bridges. But somehow we can find the funding to build roads, schools and hospitals abroad?”

Rep. Sam Farr (D-Cal.):  “This supplemental gives no hope for the millions of Americans who work day in and day out, paying their taxes, just to see their money be sent overseas, with nothing - nothing - being done over here to improve our own way of life.  If we are building new roads and schools for the Iraqis, shouldn't we be doing so over here?  The argument is sound, and this amendment deserves serious consideration by the House.”

Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D-HI):  "What's good for Iraqi families is good for families in Hawaii and the rest of the United States.  Health, education, and infrastructure are getting squeezed out of state and city budgets because of the Bush Administration's economic and budget policies.  We ought to be paying as much attention to the needs of our own communities as we do to the needs of Iraqi communities."

There are currently 100 cosponsors of the American Parity Act, HR 1738, and the companion stand-alone legislation which was introduced by DeFazio and Emanuel in April.

(Full remarks available upon request)