Senator Collins has released this statement on her vote against the Supplemental Spending bill:
“I voted against this measure for two reasons. First, by passing a bill that has no chance of being signed into law, we are delaying providing essential funds for our combat troops.
“Second, both the Iraq Study Group and the new National Intelligence Estimate report warn of the catastrophic consequences of a precipitous
withdrawal of our troops from Iraq. The supplemental appropriations would mandate that American troops begin to withdraw from Iraq no later than 120
days after enactment. The intelligence report states that such a withdrawal would likely result in Al Qaeda using Iraq as a haven to plan increased attacks both within and outside of Iraq, lead to massive civilian casualties and population displacements, cause the disintegration of the Iraqi Security Forces, and invite open intervention by neighboring countries such as Iran.
“My vote against the supplemental spending bill does not mean that I support an open-ended commitment of U.S. troops to Iraq. Indeed, I have repeatedly expressed my opposition to the President's plan to send additional troops to Iraq, and I believe that Iraqis must undertake the political actions necessary to quell the sectarian violence. Despite my opposition, the surge of troops is underway at this time. If this new strategy does not demonstrate significant results by the fall, then Congress should consider all options including a redefinition of our mission and a gradual but significant withdrawal of our troops next year.
“The bill does contain some spending priorities that I support, which I will continue to work through the appropriations process to secure. In addition, the President has said that he will veto this bill, so in the end, this bill is unlikely to achieve our funding goals for these priority issues.
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