Delegation splits vote on supplemental war funding
The U.S. House has passed a supplemental war funding bill tonight.
Minnesota's Congressional delegation split their support for the bill.
Democrats Tim Walz and Collin Peterson joined Republicans John Kline, Erik Paulsen and Michele Bachmann in support of the measure.
Democrats Betty McCollum, Keith Ellison and Jim Oberstar voted against it.
McCollum issues a statement on why she voted against the measure:
"Congress has a responsibility to ensure the economic security of the American people, as well as defend the national security of the nation. This appropriations bill does not adequately meet the needs of the American people, and I will not vote to pass it.
"To my great dismay the funds previously passed by the House to address urgent domestic needs such as securing our borders, preventing 100,000 teachers from layoffs, creating youth summer jobs, and financing Pell grants for higher education have been stripped from this bill by the U.S. Senate.
"After nine years of war and more than $300 billion of war funds added to our national debt, it is clear that an open ended U.S. military presence in Afghanistan is not acceptable to Afghans or Americans. I believe now is the time for a movement away from an expanded military presence in Afghanistan towards a strategic drawdown of U.S. troops and a refocus on a counter-terrorism strategy to prevent al-Qaeda from again taking root.
"U.S. troops deserve a mission that is clear and achievable so they can return safely home with the knowledge that they have helped to keep America secure and allowed the Afghan people to make their own future. It is now time for the Afghan people to make that future."
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