Boswell For Congress

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Leonard Boswell voted to support U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, fund disaster relief, and provide emergency funding to schools across the country when the House passed 2010 supplemental appropriations bill.

“These additional appropriations are vital to fund needs that arise as our country works toward a strong economic recovery and continues its missions in Iraq and Afghanistan,” Boswell said. “Throughout the year, our nation is faced with unexpected challenges and it is the job of Congress to make sure that we are constantly armed with solutions. This supplemental appropriations bill will address the ever-changing military situations facing our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, the education crisis in our nation’s schools, and the catastrophic natural and man-made disasters that have destroyed lives, property, and livelihoods across the country.”

This legislation includes more than $37 billion for U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, $10 billion to save teacher jobs, $5.1 billion for FEMA disaster relief, $4.95 billion for higher education student aid, $701 million for border security, and $142 million for the Gulf Coast oil spill.

“Unfortunately, while my colleagues in the House and I are working to make sure that we are armed with solutions to America’s challenges, the Senate has adjourned as of Wednesday evening,” Boswell said. “Consequently, they will not take action on this emergency appropriations funding until they return on July 12th. They are also allowing unemployment benefits that so many families have come to depend on during this economic recovery to expire on July 3^rd. This delay will also cause the unemployment benefits that so many Iowa families have come to depend on during this economic recovery to expire on July 3rd.”