DonYoung

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Washington, D.C., May 2, 2007 -

Congressman for All Alaska Don Young voted against today’s Supplemental Appropriations Veto Override in the U.S. House of Representatives.  Last night, President Bush vetoed the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Health, and Iraq Accountability Act of 2007, which would call for American troops to start withdrawing from Iraq, effective October 2007.  Congressman Young voted against this legislation when it originated out of the House in March 2007 and again on the Conference report on April 25, 2007.  

“The power to veto a bill is one of the greatest powers given to the President of the United States, and it was used very carefully last night.  Asking for a troop pullout starting in the next few months is completely unrealistic!  Abandoning Iraq before the job is done will only leave a breeding ground of terror and Islamic militancy.  Telling our enemies when we plan to leave is as good as personally inviting them to devastate the area and bringing the war back to our own soil.  The United States is heavily invested in the future outcome of Iraq and the Middle East and we cannot abandon our pledge to the Iraqi people.

“This bill is purely a political move by the Democrats and I find it disgraceful that they would play politics with the lives of our troops.  Neither side of the aisle has the best answer at the moment but one thing is clear: setting a definitive timetable for a war is just not practical.  A more realistic approach would be benchmarks that would order the Iraqi government to fulfill promises to things such as amending its constitution and expanding democratic participation.  Dropping everything and leaving will only undermine all the good that has been done so far.  Our troops are performing heroically and the need our support now more than ever.”         

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