[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 58 (Thursday, April 10, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E716]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        EMERGENCY WARTIME SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2003

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                               speech of

                             HON. TOM UDALL

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 3, 2003

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 1559) making 
     emergency wartime supplemental appropriations for the fiscal 
     year ending September 30, 2003, and for other purposes:

  Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Chairman, today we are considering the 
largest supplemental appropriations bill ever brought before the U.S. 
Congress--a bill totaling $77.9 billion. We live in extraordinary 
times, Mr. Speaker, so it is no surprise that we are considering a bill 
requesting an extraordinary amount of supplemental spending. What is 
extraordinary, however, is that in light of the war on terrorism, the 
war in Iraq, and the simultaneous obstacles we face in ensuring the 
security of our citizens here at home, this supplemental bill includes 
only $4.2 billion for homeland security.
  Mr. Speaker, our first responders are already under great pressure 
ensuring the safety of our citizens and I am sure we would all applaud 
them for their hard work and effort. But our applause is not enough. 
Our applause does not help them effectively protect our nation. Our 
applause does not help our first responders become any more prepared 
for a chemical or biological attack than they, and our nation, already 
are. Further exacerbating the problem for our first responders is the 
fact that many men and women who are now overseas either in Iraq, or in 
support of the military action in Iraq, are reservists or members of 
the National Guard who are police officers and firefighters when not on 
active duty. As a result, many of our local police and fire departments 
are experiencing shortages in the personnel they have available.
  We must provide more funding for these men and women. For that 
reason, I opposed the Rule for the debate on the supplemental spending 
bill. This rule prohibits Mr. Obey from allowing his important 
amendment that would increase funding by $2.5 billion for Homeland 
Security programs. Programs that are critical to our nation's security. 
The Obey amendment would provide critically needed funds for military 
facilities, nuclear security facilities, port and infrastructure 
security, and much-needed funds in the amount of $1.2 billion for state 
and local first responders. It is a shame that Mr. Obey is not allowed 
to offer his amendment, but it is an even bigger shame that this bill 
shortchanges our needs for security here at home.
  That being said, I do believe this is an important bill. I believe 
that it provides the critical resources to support our men and women 
currently fighting in the field. Just as we must support our first 
responders, so too must we support the men and women courageously 
fighting overseas right now, and we must do so by providing additional 
funding that will help them conduct their missions. I am hopeful that 
these funds for those currently in harm's way will help bring a 
speedier resolution to the operations in which they are participating, 
and will help contribute to their safety and the speed with which they 
are able to return to their loved ones back here in the United States.
  Mr. Speaker, I know that my thoughts, and the thoughts of my 
colleagues are, and should be, with the soldiers fighting overseas. But 
as we continue to keep them in our thoughts, we must not neglect the 
security of our nation at home. I hope that Members will work across 
party lines to provide more funding for our security at home as this 
bill returns from the conference committee. After all, don't we want to 
provide the best security possible for our soldiers when they return 
home? I, for one, certainly do. And I believe my colleagues should as 
well.

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