Mark Dayton: “it is a sad and somber day to consider the conference report on the $87.5 billion supplemental appropriations for the…”

“it is a sad and somber day to consider the conference report on the $87.5 billion supplemental appropriations for the continuing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Yesterday was the worst loss of American lives in any day in Iraq. Sixteen American soldiers died in a helicopter brought down by a ground-launched rocket. Twenty others were wounded in that horrible moment. Another U.S. soldier was killed when his Humvee was ambushed by a roadside bomb in Baghdad. Another convoy was attacked in Fallujah, a city west of Baghdad. One U.S. vehicle was destroyed and no casualties were officially reported. Yet another attack on that city killed two American civilians and wounded one. In Abu Ghraib, a western suburb of Baghdad, U.S. soldiers and residents reportedly fought in the streets. The residents said at least one American soldier had been killed, along with several Iraqis. That is in one terrible day. Our deepest condolences and prayers go out to the families and friends of those brave Americans who gave their lives in the service of their country, as those who have lost their lives before them. I will support this additional funding for one primary reason, and that is to win this war in Iraq, to secure lasting victory there and in Afghanistan, and then bring our American troops home as quickly as possible. That should be a goal we can all agree on, something that unites us all in this Chamber and as Americans.”