Langevin Votes No on Iraq War Funding, Yes to Help Veterans

(Warwick, R.I.) - Congressman Jim Langevin yesterday voted to force a change in the President’s Iraq war strategy, while providing much needed assistance to our returning troops. H.R. 2642, the Supplemental Appropriations Act for Fiscal Years 2008-2009, is now headed to the Senate without an amendment to provide funding for continuing operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Many Republicans voted “present” on the amendment, rather than “yea” or “nay,” which allowed anti-war Democrats to defeat the $162.5 billion in unrestricted emergency spending for Iraq and Afghanistan.

“Yesterday, we rejected the status quo policies of the Bush Administration by setting new priorities for our nation and by preventing further blank check funding for Iraq,” said Langevin, who voted against authorizing use of force in Iraq in 2002. “I am extremely proud of the service and sacrifice of our troops and their families, and the best way to demonstrate our support is by welcoming them home with the services and resources they need.”

While Langevin voted against the $162.5 billion funding amendment, he strongly supported the other amendments to H.R. 2642, including:

• An amendment that requires U.S. forces to begin redeployment from Iraq within 30 days, with a goal of withdrawing nearly all troops by the end of 2009. 

• An amendment that recognizes the service of our troops by establishing a new GI Bill of Rights.  Under this plan, servicemembers returning from Iraq or Afghanistan would qualify for educational assistance based on the amount of time served.  Those serving three years on active duty would receive benefits to cover the costs of a four-year education, based on the costs of the most expensive in-state public school.

Finally, this measure recognizes the importance of providing assistance to Americans struggling in the recent economic downturn.  It provides an additional 13 weeks of unemployment benefits to those who have exhausted their regular 26 weeks of benefits – a provision that could help as many as 24,400 Rhode Islanders. 

“Unemployed Americans want to get back to work, but in many places jobs are scarce,” said Langevin.  “We must not punish them for the failings of our economy, and this emergency spending measure demonstrates Congress’s commitment to those in greatest need.”

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