Washington, DC - Congressman Edolphus Towns, 10th District, New York, is extremely displeased and disappointed that Congress saw fit to extend the war in Iraq another day.  H.R. 2206, the Iraq War Supplemental passed today with a vote of 280-142.

"I am outraged that this Congress is not adhering to the wishes of the American people," said Congressman Towns.  "Last November the voters in this country made it clear that they wanted an end to the war in Iraq and our brave men and women serving in the Armed Forces brought home."

The disadvantages of this war far outweigh any of the benefits outlined by the current Administration.  The monetary cost of the war now totals $40.9 billion.  A White House economic advisor suggested that the war could cost anywhere between $100 billion-$200 billion.  Since this war is deficit-financed, interest payments alone could rise to at least $100 billion.

The Iraq war is costing the 10th Congressional District more than $941 million dollars.  This could have provided approximately 81 thousand children residing in the 10th Congressional District with health care; provided more than 5,000 new housing units; and provided for 66 schools.

Then there is the human cost of this war.  Total insurgent attacks and the number of multiple fatality bombings are twice what they were a year ago. There have been more than 3,000 of our service men and women killed in this war, more than 23,000 of them wounded and more than 1100 of those are from New York.  Also, one in five returning veterans now suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder.

Not only are Americans being killed and maimed in this war, the Iraqi people who have said they would like for us to leave their country have suffered the most.  There have been nearly 2 million Iraqis displaced and there are 2 million Iraqi refugees in other countries.  Now more than ever, Iraqis approve of attacking U.S.-led forces and almost 80 percent of Iraqis believe that the U.S. military presence is provoking more conflict than it is preventing.

"It is time to being withdrawing from Iraq.  It is time to bring the American troops home. Therefore, I refuse to send any additional resources to continue to fund this senseless war," stated Congressman Towns.

###