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Congresswoman Touts Military Experience During Campaign Stop in Fort Madison

Jason Parrott
/
TSPR
Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) greets an audience member before laying out her case to be the next President of the United States.

Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) spent about 45 minutes at Sub-Arena Sandwich Shop in Fort Madison as part of a campaign swing through southeast Iowa. She shook some hands, signed some autographs, and laid out her caseto be the next President of the United States.

“I bring a unique perspective and experience to this job of President and Commander-In-Chief,” said Gabbard. “Being a soldier, serving in the Army National Guard for 16 years, having deployed twice to the Middle East, and in Congress serving on the Foreign Affairs and the Armed Services committees for more than six years.”

Gabbard said she wants to bring an end to the U.S. support for what she described as “regime-change wars” around the world.

“As commander in chief, that is the first thing that I will do,” said Gabbard. “For example, to end U.S. support for this genocidal war in Yemen that is being waged right now without any congressional approval or authority.”

Congress recently passed a resolution calling for the end of U.S. support for the War in Yemen. President Trump vetoed it.

“It is both heartbreaking and angering to see how this President is more interested in putting the interests of Saudi Arabia ahead of the interest of the American people,” said Gabbard.

The Congresswoman said the trillions of dollars being spent on these “regime-change wars” would be better spent at home on infrastructure, education, and Medicare for all.

She spent a lot of time in Fort Madison talking about the need for people to come together.

“Building relationships that are based on respect, understanding that we are going to disagree on issues but we can disagree without being disagreeable,” said Gabbard. “We in this country, as Americans, need to come together and unite around the shared values and principles and freedoms that we hold dear. Those freedoms that are enshrined in our Constitution and understand that we are stronger when we do so.”

This story was produced by Tri States Public Radio.  TSPR relies on financial support from our readers and listeners in order to provide coverage of the important issues that matter to west central Illinois, southeast Iowa, and northeast Missouri. As someone who values the content created by TSPR's news department please consider making a financial contribution.

Jason Parrott is a former reporter at Tri States Public Radio.