The Voice

I received this yesterday from her office:

July 21, 2009

Dear Friend,

On July 17, 2009, I joined 47 of my Democratic House colleagues in voting against the Restore Our American Mustangs Act (H.R. 1018).  This decision was very difficult for me.  I am a long-time horse owner and rider, having owned over ten horses in my lifetime.  I know that horses make great companions for people of all ages, and I wish my busy schedule in Congress allowed more time for me to get away and ride.  Many people in Southern Arizona, like me, have developed special bonds with these strong and graceful animals and have learned many life lessons while working around and caring for horses. 

H.R. 1018 was very different from legislation that I have supported in the past.  In 2007, I voted for H.R. 249, a bill that would have prohibited the commercial sale and slaughter of wild free-roaming horses and burros.  I would have been very proud to support this bill again.

Unfortunately the Restore Our American Mustangs Act went far beyond the bill I voted for in 2007.  The new bill would have resulted in a very high expenditure which was not in the previous bill.  As our nation faces rising deficits and we are looking for ways to pay for much needed health care reform, we just cannot afford to add another $200 to $700 million in new spending without a plan to pay for it.  This is what will result from H.R. 1018 becoming law.

I voted for a substitute bill which was very similar to the one I supported in the last session of Congress but it did not pass.  You will be pleased to know that H.R. 1018 did pass the House with a vote of 239-185.  Please be assured that I will continue to look for ways to advocate for our wild horses and burros in Congress.

To receive regular e-mail updates on my work as your U.S. Representative, click here or visit www.giffords.house.gov to opt-in to my e-newsletter.  It allows me to keep Southern Arizonans, like you, informed about the most recent activities in the House of Representatives and upcoming public forums I am sponsoring in the district.

Sincerely Yours,

Gabrielle Giffords
Member of Congress

Has anyone compared the 2008 H.R. 2018 with the 2007 H.R. 249 to see what the additional costs were?  I have attached pdf files for both bills for self study 

HR 249 from the 110th Congress in 2007

HR 1018 from the 111th Congress in 2009

One simple view could be that if the money were to be spent  inside the US it would count as stimulus.