Ruppersberger Reluctantly Votes For the $87 Billion For Iraq and Afghanistan; Calls For More Accountability

Soldiers at BWI going back to Iraq

Washington, DC - Washington, DC - Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (Democrat-MD) reluctantly voted for the $87 billion aid package for Iraq and Afghanistan.

"Whether you believe we should or should not have gone to war in Iraq, the fact is we are there now. Our men and women in uniform are in Iraq risking their lives to serve our country and they deserve our support. We need to finish what we started by quickly rebuilding Iraq and helping to create a democratic government," said Congressman Ruppersberger.

Soldiers at BWI going back to Iraq

But Congressman Ruppersberger is concerned about the lack of a well thought out plan as well as a lack of accountability for the Administration with this $87 billion aid package and the fact we have not had enough time to determine where the money is going and for what purpose.

"How will we know if this money is being used wisely? What checks and balances are there? We have a commitment to the men and women serving our country in Iraq but we also have a commitment to our tax payers here at home. The Administration has released little information about how it plans to use this funding to rebuild the country. One thing the Administration has continued to do is ask for an unending amount of money without figuring out a way to pay for it. Instead, the Administration is choosing to leave the repayment of this debt on the shoulders of our children and grandchildren," said Congressman Ruppersberger.

Specialist Dupree and his new wife and family

Congressman Ruppersberger believes the Administration's ill fated tax cut is making the country's billion dollar deficit much worse.

"In the history of this country, we have never had a tax cut when we've been at war. The Bush tax cut is simply the wrong tax cut at the wrong time and our country's economy is paying the price," said Congressman Ruppersberger.

Congressman Ruppersberger believes the Iraqi oil fields should be properly secured so the country can use the sale of oil to stimulate its economy. Congressman Ruppersberger is also worried about the lack of an exit strategy in Iraq.

"If our goal is to liberate the people of Iraq and not occupy the country, why don't we have a well thought out exit strategy? We need to draw up a plan where American troops leave Iraq and we let the people of Iraq govern themselves," said Congressman Ruppersberger.

Congressman Ruppersberger also believes that a broad coalition of countries is needed to successfully stabilize Iraq and liberate its citizens.