WASHINGTON DC - U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords released the following statement today following House passage of the Iraq supplemental spending bill.
Today I cast my third vote in support of an Iraq supplemental appropriations bill to provide critical funding and equipment for our troops deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. Previous legislation included a responsible and practical plan for the redeployment of our armed forces but unfortunately, those measures were not supported by the White House. Now time has run out. General Richard Cody, the Vice Chief of Staff of the Army, recently reported to Congress that if supplemental war funding was not approved by June, the Army's ability to provide equipment to soldiers on the ground in Iraq would be significantly compromised. Our service men and women have been given an untenable mission but they are performing professionally and honorably and deserve our support. They are risking their lives every day for our nation and I will not let them down.