WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Mike Honda voted this week against an amendment that funds the war in Iraq, after it was stripped out of provisions that would have set dates for the responsible redeployment of U.S. troops from that country.

“I am disappointed that the supplemental bill passed by the House does not include these provisions, and instead provides $162 billion more for this disastrous war, without conditions,” Honda said.

The war funding bill passed 268-155, with Honda voting against it.

Honda added that it is time to bring American troops safely back to their families, from a war that was sold to the public under false pretenses, and which has degenerated into a sectarian conflict. The provisions stripped out would have withdrawn U.S. troops from Iraq by December 2009.

Also, this week Honda voted for a measure that will provide education benefits to help veterans returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan. The new GI bill will give current veterans the same educational benefits that were given to returning WWII veterans.

“The new GI bill focuses priorities where they should be: our nation’s economy and recognizing the sacrifice of our troops. I applaud its passage,” Honda said. “This bill will help our veterans become part of the economic recovery our nation needs right now by strengthening our work force, much as the original GI bill did in the post-war era.

Among other measures Honda supported this week to help the struggling American economy was the extension of unemployment insurance benefits. This measure also passed the house 274-137.

For the fifth straight month, the economy lost jobs and unemployment rose from 5.0 percent in April to 5.5 percent in May, with 49,000 jobs lost in May alone—the largest monthly loss in 22 years. The measure passed by the House would extend unemployment benefits by 13 weeks.

“I am glad the House passed this week some of our nation’s urgent priorities in the second amendment to this appropriations bill. We must continue to invest in a positive future for our country,” Honda said.