Washington, D.C. - U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady (R-The Woodlands) voted today to oppose a Democrat-led bill that sets a timetable for retreat from Iraq and includes billions of dollars in special “pork barrel” projects for spinach farmers and peanut storage to entice lawmaker’s votes.  The controversial bill, also opposed by the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign War, narrowly passed a bitterly divided House 218 - 212 with all but two Republicans opposing.

 

In remarks last night on the House floor during debate, Brady said “I know that good people disagree on this war, but in my heart I believe this bill betrays our troops, ensures defeat, and guarantees that when our fighting men and women come home to America, the terrorists will follow.”

 

He added, “Not content to let our soldiers win this war, this bill instead substitutes a brilliant military strategy that gives our enemies this timetable: America will raise a white flag next year. But if you fight harder, we will quit sooner. Thank God General George Washington wasn’t hamstrung with such congressional brilliance.”

 

The measure, originally requested as emergency funding to support America’s troops, is stuffed with special interest projects, including “emergencies” such as $25 million for spinach farmers in California, $75 million for peanut storage in Georgia, $150 million for fishermen, and $250 million for milk subsidies. The additional spending was added as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Democratic leaders struggled to get votes for the bill.

 

“This bill cannot stand on its merits but is bought and paid for by promises of spinach and peanuts and pork. With our soldiers fighting for their lives and our security, this is a sad day for our country”, said Brady.

 

In concluding his remarks on the House floor, Congressman Brady, whose brother is an Army medic who recently returned from service in Iraq, referenced a local soldier’s sacrifice.

 

“On Monday, the anniversary of this war against terrorism, our community buried a true hero, Private First Class Cory Kosters”, said Brady. “As I witnessed the remarkable courage and faith of his family and watched his flag-draped coffin presented at the National Veterans Cemetery surrounded by friends and his airborne brothers saying their final goodbye’s, I renewed an earlier promise to myself:  I will not quit on our soldiers. I will not quit on their mission. I will not guarantee America’s defeat nor allow future generations of Americans to live in terror because we lack the courage and conviction of the greatest generations that preceded us.”