Barbara Boxer: “since 2002, I have raised serious concerns about this administration's policy on Iraq, including the President's failure…”

“since 2002, I have raised serious concerns about this administration's policy on Iraq, including the President's failure to plan for post-war Iraq and his inability to convince much of the world to share the burden by providing troops and funding. However, I will support the President's request for $25 billion to support our military men and women who are serving so bravely under extremely difficult conditions. When the President initially requested this additional funding on May 12, it was a blank check. It allowed the President to spend funds on any account within the DoD for any purpose having to do with Iraq or Afghanistan. Because of the good work of many in this Chamber, on both sides of the aisle, the Warner amendment is a significant improvement on the President's initial request. The Warner amendment ensures that $20 billion of the $25 billion request will be spent on the operation and maintenance accounts of the Armed Forces and that $2 billion will be dedicated solely to the military personnel accounts. This is vastly different from the President's request, which would have given him the authority to spend the $25 billion in any manner in which he thought appropriate. The Warner amendment also contains an important provision that requires a monthly report to Congress on the use of this $25 billion authority.”