WASHINGTON – Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) today issued the following statement after voting for $120 billion in supplemental funding, the vast majority of which—$94 billion—is designated for America’s troops in Iraq and Afghanistan:

"It was a long time coming, but I'm relieved to say that we came together from both sides of the aisle to back our troops and General Petraeus," said Rep. Capito.  "It would have been simply unacceptable for Congress to leave Washington for Memorial Day recess without supporting something as serious as our troops' mission."

"Part of this legislation says that the president needs to certify that the Iraqi government has met certain political benchmarks.  If the Iraqi government comes up short, the president has the option of suspending reconstruction aid.  With that said, funding for American troops in the field cannot be suspended, and that was critical.  I want our troops to come home, but pulling the rug out from under them is the wrong way to go about it."

"As we support our troops' mission, I think it's just as important to reassure our veterans that we will do whatever we can to get them the care they need.  This legislation provides over $1.7 billion to the Veterans Administration.  We succeeded in trimming millions in wasted tax dollars while still including this much-deserved help for vets."

"Also of note is the fact that this bill means an increase in the minimum wage.  It will rise to $7.25 per hour by 2009.  That's a big win for many hardworking West Virginia families, and I'm happy that it will soon be law."

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