Russ Feingold: “today I will cast my vote in support of the conference report on the 2005 supplemental appropriations bill for Iraq…”

“today I will cast my vote in support of the conference report on the 2005 supplemental appropriations bill for Iraq, Afghanistan, and tsunami relief. I do so despite my strong objections to the administration's policy of continuing to fund our military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan through emergency supplemental bills. These needs should be addressed in the regular budget request so that they can actually be paid for, not placed on the tab of the American people so that debt can pile up. But the fact remains that our troops on the ground need timely support, and I will cast my vote to see that they get it, and the victims of the horrifying 2004 tsunami in South and Southeast Asia are provided with some meaningful relief and assistance. I am pleased that the conferees retained my amendment to make it easier for the families of injured servicemembers to travel to the bedsides of their loved ones. I am disappointed that a sunset provision was added to this common-sense measure, and I will continue fighting to ensure that the benefits to military families provided by my amendment become permanent. My vote in support of this conference report also comes with serious reservations because it contains the extremely troublesome immigration and driver's license provisions of the REAL ID Act, which the House passed as an amendment to this bill. I strongly support efforts to curb illegal immigration and to prevent terrorists from entering our country to do harm.…”