We Can Stop the Iraq Funding - Here's How - Act Now!

Take 1 Minute to End the Killing: Congress Members have received thousands of phone calls, and some of them are committing to voting no on Iraq funding. Call your Congress Member every day at 202-224-3121 and tell them to vote No on the war funding. Here's a list you can update of commitments to vote No. More Detail:

Pelosi does not have the votes to pass the Rule, a procedural vote that must pass prior to votes on each of the three amendments (1. war money, 2. a nonbinding "timeline goal," re-banning of torture and permanent bases, redundantly banning a Bush-Maliki treaty without consent of Senate or both houses of Congress, and forcing Iraqis to pay for the reconstruction, 3. other spending including military spending and veterans spending).

She doesn't have the votes because of Republican opposition to the whole maneuver (which will involve amending a bill that's already passed in order to avoid a vote on the whole package - except for the Rule vote), and because of "blue dog" (right-wing) Democratic outrage over spending some $11 billion on something useful when they want to stay focused on wasting over $100 billion on killing. Democrats who do plan to vote No on the war funding have not threatened to vote No on the Rule. But they should if they want to block this thing.

If Pelosi buys off the blue dogs somehow, progressives could still step in and block the war money by blocking the Rule. There may be some progressive resistance to the Rule anyway, because Lee and Kucinich both want to be permitted to bring up amendments. (Lee's would resrict funding to a withdrawal. Kucinich's would ban the use of funds for attacking Iran, Syria, etc.)

So, call your Congress Member now at 202-224-3121 and tell them to vote No on the war funding and on any Rule that would bring it up for a vote! And tell them to make their position clear to the Speaker. Tell them that you will REMEMBER IN NOVEMBER. Make clear to them that voting for either of the other two amendments will be no excuse for voting for the war funding amendment. You can remind them (92 of them) of this letter in which they committed to voting No.

EVEN MORE DETAIL:

COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Dave Obey (D-WI), Chairman

For Immediate Release May 7, 2008 Contact: Kirstin Brost 202-225-2771

FACT SHEET:
Emergency Supplemental: Iraq, Afghanistan, Veterans, and Workers

This week the House of Representatives will consider the emergency supplemental bill to fund
the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and pressing domestic needs. Under consideration are $183.77
billion in outstanding requests from the President. The Democratic proposal totals $183.686
billion, just under the President’s request for appropriated dollars.

As Congress considers the most recent war request, it is important that we also meet our
obligations to those who bravely serve and address the economic insecurity of those at home.
Thus, the proposal also includes 2 new initiatives not requested by the President:
1.) an expanded GI Bill to provide improved education benefits for veterans, and
2.) a 13 week extension of unemployment benefits for those workers who are unable to find
a job in today’s rough economy.

The proposal will be taken up as 3 amendments.
• Amendment #1: $162.5 billion for the Department of Defense, funding the wars in Iraq and
Afghanistan through the summer of 2009.
• Amendment #2: Iraq Policy Restrictions.
• Amendment #3: Expanded GI Bill, Unemployment Insurance Extension, and other critical
needs.

SUMMARY

Amendment #1: Department of Defense Funding: $96.6 billion, $3.4 billion below the
President’s request for FY 2008 and $65.9 billion, $79 million below the President’s request, for
FY 2009. Totaling $162.5 billion, this accounts for almost 90% of the discretionary spending in
the bill.

Amendment #2: Iraq Policy
o Out in 18 months: Requires that troops begin redeployment from Iraq within 30 days with a
goal of completing withdrawal of combat troops by December of 2009.
o Treaties with Iraq: Requires that any agreement between the United States and the
Government of Iraq committing U.S. forces be specifically authorized by Congress.
o Iraqis Pay for Iraq Reconstruction: Requires that U.S. reconstruction aid for Iraq be
matched dollar-for-dollar by the Iraqi Government.
o Fair Fuel Costs: Requires the President to reach an agreement with Iraq to subsidize fuel
costs for U.S. Armed Forces operating in Iraq so that our military pays what Iraqis pay.
o Meeting Pentagon Guidelines: Requires that troops meet the Pentagon’s definition of
“combat ready” before they can be deployed to Iraq; Prohibits troops from being deployed in
Iraq longer than recommended under Pentagon guidelines; and Requires that troops follow
military guidelines for time spent at home between deployments.
o Clean Up Contracting in Iraq: Expands current law to make all contractors working in war
zones subject to prosecution for offenses that would otherwise be in violation of U.S. law;
extends the statute of limitations for fraud cases during wartime; and amends the federal
criminal code to prohibit profiteering and fraud involving contractors overseas.
o No Permanent Bases in Iraq: Prohibits the establishment of permanent bases in Iraq.
o Prohibits Torture: Prohibits interrogation techniques not authorized in the Army Field
Manual.

Amendment #3:

Expanded GI Benefits for Veterans Education: Expands the education benefits veterans
receive under the GI bill to restore the promise of a full, four-year college education, and make
the veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan part of an American economic recovery, just like the
veterans of World War II were.

Extended Unemployment Compensation: Extends unemployment benefits for workers who
have exhausted their benefits by up to 13 weeks in every state as well as an additional 13 weeks
in states with high unemployment. The number of Americans looking for work has grown by
800,000 over the last year, and the number of American jobs has declined by 260,000 since the
beginning of 2008.

Protecting the Medicaid Safety Net Act of 2008 (H.R. 5613): Places a moratorium on seven
Medicaid regulations that would cut services to seniors, families, and those with disabilities as
well as cut payments to safety net providers. These costs are fully offset.

International Affairs: $5.923 billion, $500 million above the President’s request for the State
Department, USAID and International Food Assistance (PL480).
• Food Aid & Disaster Assistance: $1.865 billion, $745 million above the President’s
request, for international food and disaster assistance. This includes $500 million above
the President’s request for PL480 Food Assistance and $245 million above the
President’s request for development assistance and disaster assistance programs meant to
alleviate world hunger.
• Refugee Assistance: $675 million, $454 million above the President’s request, to address
the refugee crisis in Iraq and elsewhere.

Military Construction: $4.6 billion for military construction, $2.2 billion over the President’s
request, including $939 million for BRAC, over $210 million for the military child care centers
that the President announced in the State of the Union but never funded, and $956 million for
military hospitals to prevent the types of problems that faced Walter Reed.

Louisiana Levees: $5.8 billion for much needed efforts to strengthen New Orleans levees in FY
2009, as requested by the President.

Bureau of Prisons: $178 million urgently needed to meet rising incarceration costs and growing
inmate population. These funds were requested by the administration, but would have been paid
for by cutting funding for state and local law enforcement programs.

Census: $210 million to address decennial census cost overruns. The administration requested
these funds but would have paid for them by cutting a variety items ranging from important
scientific research to economic development programs.

Cleaning up Contracting (H.R. 3928 & H.R. 5712): Increases accountability and transparency
in federal contracting by requiring companies that receive more than 80 percent of their revenue
from the federal government to disclose the names and salaries of their top officers, and requires
federal contractors to report violations of federal criminal law and over-payments on contracts
over $5 million.

All items in Amendment #3 fall within the President’s topline or are fully offset except for the
GI Bill expansion to support veterans and the extension of unemployment benefits for the
workers who have been hurt the most by the distress in the economy.
Emergency Supplemental – Appropriations Breakdown

Bush Request House Bill
(numbers in millions)

Amendment #1
Department of Defense 2008 $100,050 $96,622
Department of Defense 2009 $66,000 $65,921
Subtotal Amendment #1 $166,050 $162,543

Amendment #3
Foreign Aid
State Department/USAID
PL480 Food Aid
$5,423
$5,073
$350
$5,923
$5,073
$850
Military Construction $2,438 $4,615
Department of Justice $146 $146
Veterans Education Benefits –
Administrative Costs 0 $120
Security and International Requirements
(FY09) $4,000 $4,078
Louisiana Levees (FY09) $5,761 $5,761
Program Shortfalls
Bureau of Prisons
Census Cost Overruns
Increased UI Claims
0
0
0
0
$498
$178
$210
$110
Automatic Death Benefit – Mrs. Lantos 0 $0.169
Subtotal Amendment #3 $17,769 $21,142

TOTAL COST FOR
APPROPRIATIONS ITEMS

$183,770

$183,686

Estimates for GI Benefits and Unemployment Extension

2 Year Estimate 10 Year
Estimate
Expanded GI Benefits $720 million $51.8 billion
Unemployment Extension $15.6 billion $11.1 billion

# # #

AND IN THE SENATE:

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Contact: (202) 224-3904

Senator Robert C. Byrd, (D-W.Va.) today released the following summary of provisions
what will be included in the FY 2008 Emergency Supplemental legislation that is scheduled to be
considered by the full Senate Appropriations Committee on Thursday, May 8, 2008. Byrd noted
that “while the President is seeking to rebuild Baghdad, he is showing callous disregard to help
rebuild on American soil or to aid struggling Americans. And the product that will be before the
Committee tomorrow will seek to begin to address our needs here at home.”

HIGHLIGHTS OF SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE
SUPPLEMENTAL MARK

Emergency Unemployment Insurance

This provision extends unemployment benefits by 13 weeks for all workers nationwide and
provides an additional 13 weeks for workers in high-unemployment states. This extension is
critically needed and mirrors actions taken in recent recessions. More than one-third of UI
recipients exhaust their benefits before finding a job. And more than 2.5 million people ran out
of benefits in 2007 alone and even more will follow in 2008 unless action is taken.

By extending UI benefits now, Congress can provide an immediate boost for the economy, and at
the same time, help working families weather the storm. Economists agree that extending
unemployment benefits is a powerful, cost-effective way to stimulate the economy—every dollar
spent on benefits leads to $1.64 in economic growth.

Medicaid

This provision imposes delays on seven Medicaid rules issued by the Administration. The seven
rules would force cuts in school-based, rehabilitation, and case management services. Among
other things, the rules would also change the definition of public provider, the definition of
outpatient services, and the policy on intergovernmental transfers, the ability of states to impose
taxes on health care providers, and eliminate payment for graduate medical education.

These regulations will shift millions of dollars in health care costs to state and local budgets at a
time when they are already under financial pressure due to the bad economy. The National
Governors’ Association has asked Congress to extend these moratoria.

G.I. Education Assistance

The mark includes a new educational assistance benefit for service members who have served on
active duty since September 11, 2001, including activated reservists and National Guard. To
qualify, veterans must have served at least three to thirty-six months of qualified active duty,
beginning on or after September 11, 2001. Educational benefits will be paid in amounts linked to
the amount of active duty served in the military after September 11. Veterans would receive
some amount of assistance proportional to their service for 36 month (four academic years).
Veterans would still be eligible to receive any incentive-based supplemental educational
assistance from their military branch for which they qualify. Benefits provided under this title
would allow veterans pursuing an approved program of education to receive payments covering
the established charges of their program, up to the cost of the most expensive in-state public
school, plus a monthly stipend equivalent to housing costs in their area. Provisions would also
create a new program in which the government will agree to match, dollar for dollar, any
voluntary additional contributions to veterans from institutions whose tuition is more expensive
than the maximum educational assistance provided under the new benefit. Additionally, veterans
would have up to fifteen years, compared to ten years under the current Montgomery GI Bill,
after they leave active duty to use their educational assistance entitlement

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and other natural disasters -- $10.4 billion

The Committee mark will include $10.4 billion for recovery efforts resulting from Hurricanes
Katrina and Rita and other natural disasters – a $4.6 billion increase over the President’s request.

Since 2007, the President has designated disasters for floods 56 times in thirty-one States, yet he
opposes funding for levee repairs and other flood mitigation efforts.

Global Food Aid -- $1.245 billion

The recommendation includes $850 million in PL480 Title II grants for international food
assistance in fiscal year 2008 and an additional $395 million to become available on October 1,
2008 for a total of $1.245 billion, a $500 million increase over the President’s request.

State and Local Law Enforcement, Byrne Formula Grants -- $490 million

The Committee recommendation includes $490 million for Byrne formula grants. The FY2008
Omnibus provided just $170 million for Byrne, $349 million below the FY 2007 level and 80%
below the level ten years ago. Yet violent crime grew in 2005 and 2006 for the first time since
1991. Supplemental funding will ensure a total of $660 million in FY 2008 for Byrne formula
grants. Senators have heard compelling arguments from representatives of law enforcement
organizations that the cuts have had an immediate and negative impact on their ability to fight
crime and protect communities. There is strong bi-partisan support for this additional funding.
Fifty-six Senators have requested an additional $490 million for Byrne formula grants.

Federal Highway Administration Emergency Relief Program -- $451 million

The bill includes $451 million for the Emergency Relief program, which funds the repair or
reconstruction of roads and bridges that have been damaged by unexpected catastrophes or
natural disasters. The funding provided will cover the backlog of projects from disasters
occurring in fiscal year 2005 and forward.

The President seeks more funding for roads in Iraq but opposes funding to repair storm-damaged
roads in America.

Food and Drug Administration -- $275 million

$275 million for the Food and Drug Administration – including $125 million for food safety
activities, and $100 million for medical product and drug safety activities.

Securing Rural Schools -- $400 million

Without this funding almost 7,000 teachers and other educational staff will be layed off across the
country, as of June 30, 2008 when their contracts expire.

VA Polytrauma Centers -- $437.1 million

The recommendation includes $437.1 million for construction at VA polytrauma centers. The
VA health care system, through its polytrauma network, continues to provide significant expertise
in the treatment and rehabilitation of both active duty and separated Operation Enduring Freedom
and Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans suffering from polytraumatic injuries. These two centers
are central to inpatient rehabilitation of soldiers wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Science Initiative -- $1.2 billion

To help promote long-term economic development, the Committee is recommending a total of
$1.2 billion for programs under the jurisdiction of the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration, the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health and
Department of Energy.

Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom -- $168.9 billion

Provides additional fiscal year 2008 emergency spending for the Department of Defense and
provides an additional $65.9 billion in fiscal year 2009 emergency spending, which will become
available to the Department of Defense on October 1, 2008.

The Committee recommendation is $415 million above the President’s request for DOD and
Military Construction related programs including increases for National Guard Equipment ($825
million); Family Child Care Facilities ($168 million); Defense Health Programs ($1.627 billion);
and Barrack Improvements ($700 million).

Byrd also noted that in an effort to expedite Committee consideration of these measures that he
would defer until Senate floor consideration debate on policy language regarding operation in
Iraq.

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