[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 163 (Thursday, November 29, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2174]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2002

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                               speech of

                         HON. CAROLYN McCARTHY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 28, 2001

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 3338) making 
     appropriations for the Department of Defense for the fiscal 
     year ending September 30, 2002, and for other purposes:

  Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Chairman, the tragic events of 
September 11th have left a profound impact on this country. As a 
representative from New York, I have witnessed firsthand the 
destruction and grief endured by the survivors. I've watched our brave 
rescue personnel work tirelessly to recover lost loved ones. Cleanup 
crews continue to work around the clock in hope of rebuilding what was 
destroyed. There is no question that New Yorkers are united in their 
effort to overcome the challenges ahead of them.
  As we know, in the aftermath of September 11th, Congress quickly 
passed the 2001 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Recovery 
and Response to Terrorist Attacks on the United States (P.L. 107-38). 
This supplemental appropriates $40 billion and allows the Bush 
Administration to spend the first $20 billion with minimal reporting 
requirements. The remaining $20 billion can be spent only after the 
Administration has specifically requested it and Congress has passed a 
bill reported by the Appropriations Committee. New Yorkers were 
promised $20 billion of these funds to help with relief efforts.
  I supported this legislation because it stipulates that ``not less 
than one-half of the $40,000,000,000 shall be for disaster recovery 
activities and assistance related to the terrorist attacks in New York, 
Virginia, and Pennsylvania . . .'' However, only $3.2 billion has been 
released and the Administration has only requested an additional $6.3 
billion for a total of $9.5 billion. That's less than half of what was 
promised.
  I am extremely concerned that New York is not receiving the full $20 
billion in emergency funds promised by the President in this bill. New 
York can not afford to wait for future legislation allocating the 
remainder of the $20 billion in emergency funds it was promised. 
Overtime pay for cleanup workers must be paid. Unemployment Insurance 
funds are rapidly depleting. Continuation of COBRA must continue. These 
are real concerns that will require, at a minimum, the immediate 
allocation of the $20 billion in emergency funds.
  Equally important, however, is the urgent need to equip our military 
personnel with the resources and tools they need to prevent future acts 
of terrorism. We are at war with an enemy that is not restricted to 
country borders or even continents. The 7-percent increase in funding 
addresses many of our military's needs and prepares this country for 
the long road of eradicating all terrorists.
  I have little doubt that New York will eventually receive the full 
$20 billion promised by the President, but I would have preferred to 
receive these funds today. The President must not forget about New 
York, just as we have not forgotten about our brave men and women 
fighting overseas to prevent another attack similar to September 11th.

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