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Congressman for All Alaska Don Young voted today against a bill that would undermine our military’s efforts in Iraq and set unrealistic timetables for the end of U.S. involvement.  H.R. 1591, the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Health, and Iraq Accountability Act of 2007, places military decisions in the hands of politicians and takes authority away from our military Generals.  In addition, this bill promises $22 billion in emergency spending items that are completely unrelated to the troops, veterans’ health, and Iraq. 

“This legislation sets an unrealistic timetable for the end of US involvement in Iraq, forcing our Commanding Officers to restructure their military strategy for general stabilization in the region,” stated Congressman Young.  “This legislation ties the hands of military officials and creates a situation where we must fight the enemy with one hand tied behind our back because of Congressional interference.  We have just begun to see the successful implementation of our troop surge, and the insurgents know the United States will not back down from terrorist activities or intimidation.  Our troops are performing heroically and they need our support now more than ever. 

“I am disgusted by this bill; it is purely political without giving any long term thought to what the effects truly will be.  It buys votes with promises of money for unrelated goals.  I would like to know how a $25 million bailout for spinach producers is going to help our troops come home safely!  Playing politics with the safety of our military and ultimately the safety of our country is sickening.  Our service members realize this Administration will not let their sacrifices go unfilled; unfortunately they are not seeing that same support from their Congress.  If a timetable is set the enemy will know a specific deadline for victory and will hold out until that date is reached and all of our efforts up to this point will be moot.  Those who vote in favor of this bill should be ashamed of themselves.”

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