Not one more dime

Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) expressed opposition today to supplemental funding for the Iraq war. Waters was supported by Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) as well as the Progressive Democrats of America, who all stressed opposition to the supplemental funding and said they would not support it.

Waters and others stressed the fact that Congress needs to send a strong message to the President and the American people that they are serious about getting our troops out of Iraq and will not approve any legislation which gives one more dime to the Iraq war unless it is for the redeployment of American troops.

Waters said that the mismanagement of the Iraq war has caused too much damage and will not sign or support any bill that extends the war in Iraq or appropriates more money to the Iraq war. Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) said that she would not support the bill and will add an amendment, similar to the Lee amendment, which would fence off funding to protect troops, contractors and fund a safe and responsible redeployment.

These representatives urged Congress to say no to the supplemental funding bill by Memorial day and not allocate one more dime to the war in Iraq. Former presidential hopeful Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio), also present at the hearing, is offering an amendment to the bill asking not to use the funds for future conflicts with Iran, Syria and Lebanon.