Political Quotes

“I support this Iraq supplemental because it specifically includes language which I insisted on, which prohibits any American taxpayer dollars from being used to pay Iraq's foreign debts. Americans would be justifiably outraged if a dime of the taxpayer aid requested by President Bush allowed Iraq to pay creditors in France, Germany, Russia, or Saudi Arabia. I applaud Chairman Young for including this language to make sure that does not happen. As we move forward, we must do two things. First, while supporting President Bush and our troops, we must make sure that other countries and the Iraqis themselves contribute substantially to the rebuilding effort. Second, we must work toward the day when we can bring our troops back home and turn control over to a free Iraq. To achieve this mission, Iraqis are creating their own constitution. They are working toward free elections next year, and they are training 55,000 of their own people to provide their own future security. Now in the interest of straight talk, let me squarely address what may be the most controversial aspect of this bill, and that is whether the money to rebuild Iraq should be in the form of a grant or a loan.”