July 1, 2010: Congressman Wittman: "I'm disappointed that once again, funding for our troops is tied to unrelated domestic spending"

Washington, DC - Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-1) released the following statement after the House passed amendments to the Senate's fiscal year 2010 supplemental appropriations bill.  Traditionally intended as a vehicle to fund mission critical combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, tacked onto the legislation were amendments setting unchecked funding levels for dozens of federal programs.

"I'm disappointed that once again, funding for our troops has been tied to domestic spending and policy issues unrelated to the ongoing operations in Iraq and Afghanistan," Wittman said. With the House making changes to the bill, the Senate must again pass this legislation to provide funding to ongoing operations, but the Senate has already adjourned until mid-July. "Despite the urging from our military leaders, including Secretary Gates and General Petraeus, Congress will leave for the Independence Day district work period without providing the resources that our troops need to succeed on the battlefield. Why is Congress leaving town without providing the resources our troops need to succeed?"

"Also included in these amendments tonight was a measure that "deemed" the federal budget blueprint passed, without a much-needed debate on the sky-rocketing federal debt that threatens the strength of our economy. Hard-working families and state and local governments have to make tough decisions to prioritize spending and balance their budgets, and so should the federal government."

Congressman Rob Wittman represents the First District of Virginia. He serves on the Natural Resources Committee and the Armed Services Committee where he is the Ranking Member of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee.