Barbara Boxer: “I will vote not to table the Hollings amendment. We still do not know how much the war in Iraq will cost, and we do not…”

“I will vote not to table the Hollings amendment. We still do not know how much the war in Iraq will cost, and we do not know how we will pay for those costs. I have been concerned about the United States shouldering the entire financial burden not only of the ongoing war, but also of the necessary postwar reconstruction. The President has released a list of more than 40 nations that are supporting our effort in Iraq. However, a close look at the nations on that list will show that the overwhelming majority of them are in no position--and have made no commitment--to help pay for the effort. In comparison, during the 1991 gulf war, our allies paid for 88 percent of the costs of the war. We have no such assurance this time. Because of this uncertainty, I believe the Senate should be discussing and debating this issue. That is, discussing and debating how we will meet the costs of the war and the costs of reconstruction. Will we receive contributions from our allies? Will we use revenues from Iraqi oil after the war is over? Will we cut wasteful government spending? These questions need to be asked and debated. That is why I voted not to table the Hollings amendment. With his amendment, the Senator from South Carolina tried to raise the issue of how we will pay for the war and reconstruction. And, his amendment was intended to force the Senate to debate this issue. I believe we need to have that debate, and that is why I voted not to table the Hollings amendment.”