Doris Matsui: “in October 2002, I voted against the war in Iraq because there were other viable options the Bush Administration should…”

“in October 2002, I voted against the war in Iraq because there were other viable options the Bush Administration should have pursued before sending our troops into harm's way. The Administration then moved too hastily in invading Iraq without a clear vision for how to bring our troops home. We were prepared to win the war, but we were not prepared to keep the peace. In April of this year, we approved $60 billion the Administration requested for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Now, just five months later, the President is asking for an additional $87 billion without accounting for how the original funds were spent. I cannot in good conscience vote for this request. The Bush Administration has not presented a coherent, credible plan to the American people to address any of the challenges facing our soldiers in Iraq. I supported an alternative plan offered by Representative David Obey (D-WI), which was voted on yesterday. His proposal gives our troops the equipment they need to conduct their mission in Iraq, requires the Administration to account for how they are spending the supplemental funds, and ensures international funding and cooperation. The Obey proposal requires the Administration to account for the funds from the previous war supplemental and for how additional funding will be used to support both the military and reconstruction efforts. Congress should not agree to provide the Administration additional funds without knowing how they will be spent.”