Congressman Mike Simpson joined his colleagues today opposing the majority’s attempt to co-opt command-and-control authority in Iraq. H.R. 1591, the Iraq Supplemental Funding legislation passed the house by a vote of 218-212. 

H.R. 1591 has many projects attached that have nothing to do with funding our troops in Iraq, including $400 million to extend by one year the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act, which provides payments to rural counties hurt by cutbacks in federal logging.

“While I support and would love to have the funding for schools in my state, there is no amount of money that could tempt me to abandon our troops and vote for this bill," Simpson said.

The legislation includes an inflexible timeline for bringing troops home, regardless of the situation on the ground in Iraq. It also ties the hands of our military commanders in the field.

“Furthermore, this legislation does not focus on our troops. It does not provide resources for those in harm’s way and it does not provide them with what they need to complete their mission successfully,” Simpson said. “If the Democrats want to withdraw our troops, then they should address that issue and not cut of funding to the men and women who need it most.”

H.R. 1591 will now be sent to the U.S. Senate for consideration.