Bart Stupak: “this week as the other body takes up the President's request for the $87 billion in supplemental appropriations for…”

“this week as the other body takes up the President's request for the $87 billion in supplemental appropriations for Iraq, we must do more for our troops and their families who are under increasing duress. Specifically, Congress should grant a $1,500 bonus to all who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Not since Vietnam have such a large number of troops had such long deployments. The pressure this puts on our troops and their families is tremendous. This summer, the Department of Defense increased deployments for troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan to 1 year, and not until last week, did the Department of Defense offer these troops who are living under highly primitive and stressful conditions a 2-week leave for rest and recuperation. Tragically, this month our U.S. causalities in Iraq surpassed the number of those killed in the first Gulf War. We have now lost more than 308 servicemen and women. Recognizing the increasing gravity of U.S. military involvement abroad, I have introduced H.R. 3051, to qualify all active-duty military personnel deployed for any length of time in Iraq and Afghanistan for a $1,500 bonus. This $1,500 bonus proposal should be part of the supplemental appropriations bill. Although, as Members of Congress, we may have different ideas about U.S. policy in Iraq, we can all agree our servicemen and women deserve our sincere recognition for their courageous efforts.”