[HCCN] Fwd: A Message from Congressman Michaud

[Judy Robbins]

Begin forwarded message:

> From: <me02 at housemail.house.gov>
> Date: May 15, 2009 12:38:34 PM EDT
> To: <jrobbINS at MAINECOASTMAIL.COM>
> Subject: A Message from Congressman Michaud
>
>
>
> May 15, 2009
>
> Robbins Judy Robbins
> 176 Graytown Rd
> Sedgwick, Maine 04676
>
>
> Dear Judy:
>
> Thank you for contacting me regarding H.R. 2346, the Fiscal Year  
> 2009 Supplemental Appropriations Act. I appreciate hearing from you.
>
> As you know, the Supplemental Appropriations Act would provide  
> funding for Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and pandemic flu, in  
> addition to funding in the normal appropriated budget process. This  
> bill would provide $84.5 billion for Department of Defense (DoD)  
> and Intelligence activities in Iraq and Afghanistan to include stop  
> loss payments, ongoing military operations, and military  
> construction projects. This legislation would also provide $10  
> billion in stabilization projects in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and  
> Iraq, as well as humanitarian aid for food, refugee, and disaster  
> assistance. Further, the bill would require $2 billion for pandemic  
> flu response, in addition to funding for nuclear non-proliferation,  
> wildfire prevention, and Capitol police security.
>
> There are provisions in this bill that I support, like compensation  
> for soldiers who received stop loss orders and funding for pandemic  
> flu preparedness. But it would be disingenuous of me to support  
> this funding just because the President happens to now be a member  
> of my own political party.
>
> I appreciate the inclusion of some reporting requirements put  
> forward by Appropriations Committee Chairman Obey. But just like  
> the Iraq War, I believe that we need an exit strategy for our  
> operations in Afghanistan. Until I see clearly defined benchmarks  
> for progress and a plan to bring our troops home, I will continue  
> to oppose these types of funding measures. Nevertheless, H.R. 2346  
> passed in the House of Representatives with a vote of 368-60 and is  
> now awaiting action in the Senate.
>
> In addition, I remain deeply concerned about the ongoing use of  
> supplemental appropriations to fund everything from bailouts to war  
> funding. By using supplemental appropriations, Congress is able to  
> circumvent all budget rules. That means every dollar in this bill  
> is added directly to our ballooning debt.We need to get our fiscal  
> house in order if we are ever going to be able to tackle priorities  
> like energy and health care reform.
>
> Thank you again for sharing your views with me. In addition, I also  
> provide occasional email updates on a range of issues affecting  
> people in Maine. If you would like to receive this information,  
> please visit my website at http://michaud.house.gov/ 
> email_newsletter.asp and sign up for my email newsletter. I  
> appreciate the opportunity to represent you.
>
>
> With warmest regards,
>
>
>
> Michael H. Michaud
> Member of Congress
>
>
>

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