Elijah Cummings: “I rise to oppose the supplemental and support the Obey amendment. This is a question of accountability. I continue to…”

“I rise to oppose the supplemental and support the Obey amendment. This is a question of accountability. I continue to abide by the principles set forth by the Congressional Black Caucus last month to determine whether we, as Members of Congress, would support the President's request for more aid in Iraq. I believe that the President should provide the Congress with the full details of the information relied upon by him to go to war. He has not done that. I asked that the President provide full details about how the efforts will be paid for, including full accounting of how and to what extent Iraqi resources could be used to reduce the U.S. costs. He has not done that. He should provide us with full details about the future obligations of the United States and about how responsibility and authority for these obligations will be shared with the United Nations and other nations. He has not done that. Congress should ask for a detailed accounting from the administration as to all funds expended to date, including details about all contractors for work in or related to Iraq. Lastly, the President should set forth criteria he expects will be necessary to meet before we bring our troops home. In other words, what is considered victory? He has not done that. No more blank checks. People in my district want better schools. They want better health care. They care about the Iraqi people, but they ask are we spending our money effectively and efficiently.”