Statement of
U.S. Rep. Kendrick B. Meek (D-FL)
Voting in Opposition to Giving President Bush a No Strings Attached Blank Check to Fund the Iraq War

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Kendrick B. Meek issued the following statement in opposition to giving President Bush a no strings attached blank check to fund the Iraq War:

"Today President Bush received a no strings attached $70 billion check to fund the Iraq War without telling the American public how long our open ended commitment to fighting this unpopular war will last. The Democratic-led House and Senate held 289 hearings to bring an end to the war in Iraq, but the Republican leadership chose the will of President Bush over the desire of the American people. Financing a war on borrowed money as if on a credit card with a skyrocketing interest rate is a legacy I do not want to leave for future generations. Our efforts in Afghanistan are being compromised because our commitment to Iraq deepens by the day."

U.S. Rep. Kendrick B. Meek represents the 17th Congressional District of Florida which includes parts of Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. He serves as the lone Floridian sitting on the House Committee on Ways and Means and also sits on the House Armed Services Committee.

-30-