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New England reps split on war funding

Posted by Foon Rhee, deputy national political editor May 14, 2009 06:06 PM

The New England delegation divided on the issue today as the House approved funding for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, as the US winds down its involvement in the former and increases its push in the latter.

The $97 billion measure includes President Obama's war funding request as he promises to withdraw most combat troops from Iraq by August 2010 and sends 21,000 more troops and military trainers to Afghanistan and It adds nearly $12 billion, including money for new weapons and military equipment and more foreign aid. The bill also includes a pledge that any Guantanamo Bay detainees will not be released on US soil.

Among Massachusetts representatives, Michael Capuano, Barney Frank, Edward Markey, James McGovern, Richard Neal, John Tierney, and Niki Tsongas voted no. Stephen Lynch and John Olver supported the funding and William Delahunt did not vote.

Both Maine representatives, Michael Michaud and Chellie Pingree, voted no, while both of Rhode Island's, Patrick Kennedy and Jim Langevin, voted yes.

New Hampshire's delegation split, with Paul Hodes voting yes and Carol Shea-Porter opposing the funding.

Vermont's Peter Welch also voted no.

The overall tally was 368-60, with 200 Democrats and 168 Republicans voting yes and 51 Democrats and 9 Republicans voting no.

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Foon Rhee,

How come there's no post on Max Baucus's hearing and the arrest of doctors during the hearing who represent single-payer health care and were denied a seat at the table? A news like that should be on the front page, yet no post from you on this incident. You do know that single-payer healthcare is supported by a considerable number of Americans, going by some recent polls? Was it not considered important enough to be included in Political Intelligence?

Posted by Amit May 14, 09 06:16 PM
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Peace is cheaper than war so how come we don't go in that direction for once? hmmmmm. Some things never change and we always have $$$ for war.

Posted by jack May 14, 09 10:59 PM
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