Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)

WASHINGTON-  U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) made the following statement on the Iraq supplemental funding bill.  The bill was passed by the Congress last night, and President Bush is expected to sign the bill into law today.

Graham said:

“Our nation cannot afford to lose the war in Iraq.

“Like many Americans, I was embarrassed and disappointed it took Congress so long to provide our military with the funding they need.  American troops expect and deserve our full support.

“Last night, I voted in support of the supplemental funding request for our troops.  After weeks of delay, we finally got a bill that provides funding without instituting deadlines and timelines undercutting the war effort.  Timelines for withdrawal would have brought the political and economic reconciliation among Iraqis to a screeching halt.  It would have been a death sentence for moderate Iraqis trying to bring stability to their country.  As for our American troops, those who would have been left to serve while waiting for the withdrawal day, it would have been asking them to risk their lives without purpose.

“Unfortunately, there are spending items in the bill unrelated to the military effort.  Congress should not take legitimate needs like military spending and add unrelated items.

“As part of the War on Terror, Iraq is a test of wills – our will to succeed versus our enemy’s will to drive us out.  It’s in our national interest to stand by peaceful Iraqis and against the extremists who not only want to destroy Iraq, but our own way of life.”

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