Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Tsunami Relief, 2005
EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT FOR DEFENSE, THE GLOBAL WAR ON TERROR, AND TSUNAMI RELIEF, 2005 -- (House of Representatives - March 16, 2005)
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Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin. Mr. Chairman, my opposition to the war in Iraq and criticism of the Administration's rationale for engaging our troops in this conflict have been well documented. As U.S. casualties mount, it is my hope that the Administration will craft a plan to facilitate the timely withdrawal of our forces. For this reason, I am a cosponsor of H. Con. Res. 35 which calls on the President to do so.
But in the meantime, despite these reservations, the cold, hard truth of the matter is that our soldiers are in Iraq not because they choose, but because they have been ordered there. And they are under fire every day. We must make every possible effort to ensure that our troops return home safely to their families.
The legislation before us today provides $51 million for "up-armored" Humvees which protect soldiers from anti-tank mines and armor-piercing munitions. It appropriates $611 million for add-on vehicle armor kits which provide critical protection to drivers and crews against attacks from Iraqi insurgents. Also included is $50 million for the radio jammers that are installed in our vehicles to prevent attempts by insurgents to explode remote controlled bombs and mines as our troops drive by.
This measure also provides critical increases in financial support to the families of our fallen soldiers. H.R. 1268 increases the military death gratuity from $12,000 to $100,000. This benefit provides an immediate cash payment to assist survivors of deceased members of the armed services. It also increases government subsidized life insurance benefits from $250,000 to $400,000.
The legislation also provides crucial assistance for emergency situations overseas. It would give $656 million in direct assistance for tsunami disaster relief for countries devastated by the December 26, 2004 earthquake and tsunami. In addition, $92 million in emergency funds are provided to respond to the humanitarian crisis in the Darfur region of Sudan where egregious ethnic cleansing has been occurring. Tens of thousands of men, women, and children have been killed during the violence and thousands more die every month in camps housing the nearly 2 million people who have fled their homes. $150 million in emergency food aid, mostly for Sudan and war-ravaged Liberia, was included in committee.
With a recent glimmer of hope and improved chances for a resolution in the Middle East, the bill provides $200 million for the West Bank and Gaza to help the forces for peace seize this opportunity. This includes $50 million for road and water infrastructure improvements, $50 million to improve the flow of people and goods into Israel, $24 million for trade promotion and capacity building, $20 million for schools and community centers, $16 million for democracy and rule of law programs, $15 million for agriculture production and marketing, and $13 million for health care.
Mr. Chairman, while I continue to have grave concerns about the President's war in Iraq, on balance this bill provides funds that will help protect our men and women under fire, gives additional help to the families of those who will never return home, helps consolidate the tentative gains in Israel and the Palestinian areas, and aids the peoples of other nations who face dire crises abroad. For these reasons, I will cast my vote in favor of the measure.
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