[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 64 (Thursday, May 1, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E833]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 1559, EMERGENCY WARTIME SUPPLEMENTAL 
                        APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2003

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Saturday, April 12, 2003

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1559, the 
Emergency Wartime Supplemental bill. I support this bill to honor our 
troops and provide relief to Americans suffering through these 
difficult economic times.
  In this time of war and economic crisis, we do not need massive tax 
cuts. I applaud my Democratic colleagues on the Appropriations 
Committee for their tireless efforts to reach a Budget Resolution that 
achieves mutual reconciliation, supports our military, and helps to 
stabilize the economy in this time of economic crisis. We need mutual 
reconciliation right now, not disagreement.
  I applaud the supplemental funds allocated for homeland security. I 
applaud the 26-week provision designed to help provide relief to the 
unemployed. Since the tragic events of September 11, 2001, I have 
fought on this floor for the employees of the airline industry. I 
believe this bill goes a long way to providing the employees of the 
airline industry economic relief.
  My Democratic colleagues on Appropriations did a wonderful job 
reducing many of the Administration's inflated fund requests. We 
lowered the President's request for a ``flexibility fund'' from $59.9 
billion to $15.7 billion. We reduced the alien nations fund from $50 
million to $25 million. These fund reductions, and the many others 
included in the supplemental will provide relief to every American.
  The original emergency supplemental was illogical legislation. Never 
before have I seen such an outrageous departure from established 
Congressional procedure. The Senate approved an emergency supplemental 
bill for $350 billion. Instead of following the wisdom of the Senate, 
the House proposes an emergency supplemental bill for $550 billion. 
Never before have I seen Congress make such a frivolous budget 
decision.
  I congratulate the hard work of the Appropriators. However, I would 
have preferred to see funds, such as a portion of the $2.4 billion used 
for the reconstruction of Iraq, used to help domestically. I would like 
to see funds allocated to reach out to our small and minority-owned 
businesses, and not to large conglomerates and multi-national 
corporations.
  I am on my way to visit Tommy Franks, and the many brilliant military 
strategists at Central Command. Plus, I recently visited several of the 
valiant soldiers who suffered injuries fighting in Operation Iraqi 
Freedom. Having met these brave young men, I know how much their 
sacrifice means to America.
  I support H.R. 1559 to support our troops and to support the U.S. 
Economy.

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