Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Hurricane Recovery, 2006

EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT FOR DEFENSE, THE GLOBAL WAR ON TERROR, AND HURRICANE RECOVERY, 2006 -- (Extensions of Remarks - March 30, 2006)

SPEECH OF HON. BETTY McCOLLUM OF MINNESOTA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 2006

The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 4939) making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006, and for other purposes:

* Ms. MCCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to H.R. 4939. Today, Congress continues its owe-as-you-go policy of borrowing and spending, burdening future generations of Americans with an additional $92 billion in debt and at the same time embracing the Bush administration's disastrous war in Iraq. Giving this administration more borrowed money for billion dollar no-bid contracts without congressional oversight is irresponsible and a policy I can neither justify nor defend.

* In a cynical maneuver, the Republican majority has linked nearly $70 billion more for maintaining U.S. troops in the middle of an Iraqi civil war with the resources needed to assist Katrina's victims and the funds necessary to keep alive the victims of genocide in Sudan's Darfur region. I strongly support providing our fellow citizens of the gulf coast with the resources to rebuild their lives and their communities and increasing our commitment to bringing peace to Sudan. However, I cannot support an administration policy of consistently misleading the American people about the unsustainable Federal budget deficits and the quagmire in Iraq.

* It is an irresponsible budget gimmick to fund the war in Iraq through emergency spending. We are beginning the fourth year of war in Iraq. Clearly the Bush administration was aware that there would be funding needs and had the opportunity to account for those needs in the proposed budget. Instead, the entire cost of this war--over $300 billion--is deferred to be paid for by future generations. Congress must have an honest debate about our increasing budget deficit and the implications of this debt on our country and our future.

* Every American soldier and marine deserves our support, as well as a realistic and honest strategy for success from the Bush administration. They also deserve a White House and Congress with the courage to pay for this war today, not pass the cost on to the children and grandchildren of every American, including every veteran who has sacrificed so much in Iraq.

* For the violence and murder to stop and the civil conflict in Iraq to end, it will require Iraqis, not Americans, willing to find solutions to bring security, stability and peace to their country. U.S. troops should never be in the position of being referees in a bloody civil war. Unfortunately, the Bush administration has no intention of drawing down U.S. troops anytime soon. The passage of this bill today will ensure, regrettably, that our troops will remain in Iraq for the foreseeable future.

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