Congressman Bishop Votes For War Funding

U.S. Representative Sanford Bishop has voted to add $77.9 billion more to this fiscal year's budget to fight the war in Iraq, provide humanitarian aid to the Iraqi people, strengthen homeland defense against terrorism, and help financially troubled U.S. airlines cover increased security costs.

The House and Senate Thursday (4/3) passed their own versions of the bill, entitled the "Emergency Wartime Supplemental Appropriations Act," and Congress was expected to reach final agreement the following week.

The Second District Congressman said the emergency funding is necessary to successfully prosecute the war abroad and to ensure that U.S. citizens and infrastructure are adequately protected at home. He helped draft the bill as a member of the House Appropriations Committee, which reported it out 59-0 for floor consideration.

"We have sent the men and women who serve in the armed forces into harms way, and it is our duty in Congress to make sure they have all the resources they need to successfully carry out their mission," he said. "If we make the right priority choices, we can fully meet this responsibility without crippling our most essential needs at home."

At a time when he is supporting additional funding for military operations and homeland defense, Representative Bishop said he is also fighting to protect funding for education, health care, transportation, veterans benefits, law enforcement, housing, and other critical domestic needs.

Along with a number of other members of Congress, on both sides of the aisle, the Georgia lawmaker is pushing to reduce the President's plan to cut taxes by some $700 billion over 10 years, thereby preserving billions of dollars in federal revenue. He said he favors a measured, fiscally responsible level of tax relief to help stimulate the economy, but not a level of cuts that would cripple many needs at home.

The Senate recently passed a revised tax cut plan that would reduce the President's proposed cuts by half, and negotiations are underway with House leaders over a final agreement.