DeGette Votes Against Iraq Funding Amendment

WASHINGTON – Chief Deputy Whip Diana DeGette(D-CO) today opposed an amendment to provide additional funding for thewar in Iraq and voted to pass another amendment that would to meet ournation's obligation to those who bravely serve, address the economicinsecurity of those here at home and delay harmful Medicaid regulationsproposed by the Bush Administration.

"The war in Iraq must come to an end – too many lives have been lost,too much money has been spent, and too much time has been wasted on thePresident's failed war," said DeGette. "As a staunch opponent of thiswar who opposed its original authorization, I cannot support anymeasure that does not contain strict timelines to end this war safelyand responsibly."

While DeGette opposed the first amendment providing additional fundsfor the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, DeGette supported key domesticspending priorities: postpones six Medicaid regulations proposed by theBush Administration, provides $2.65 billion for the Federal EmergencyManagement Agency (FEMA) disaster relief fund, Army Corps of Engineers,and Small Business Administration to address the recent flooding in theMidwest, and extends unemployment insurance for 13 weeks for Americansstruggling in today's economy.

"The Bush Administration's draconian Medicaid regulations would havehad a devastating effect on our nation's health-care safety-net. DenverHealth, a premiere health care institution in Colorado, is usingcutting-edge and innovative ways to cut costs and provide service. Weneed to support these institutions in the work they do and I applaudthe House for standing up for the health care safety-net in thiscountry."

As Vice Chair of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, CongresswomanDeGette has been aggressive in pursuing a delay in the implementationof the regulations. Not only was she a cosponsor of H.R. 5613, theProtecting the Medicaid Safety Net Act of 2008, she also organized andsent a letter from Members of the Committee on Energy and Commerce tothe House leadership and leadership of the House Appropriations Committee strongly urging them to include a moratorium in the Supplemental Appropriations Bill.