[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 137 (Wednesday, October 1, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H9079-H9080]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 SUPPORT OUR TROOPS: $1,500 BONUS BILL

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Miller of Michigan). Under a previous 
order of the House, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Stupak) is 
recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. STUPAK. Madam Speaker, this week as the other body takes up the 
President's request for an $87 billion supplemental appropriation bill 
for Iraq, we must do more for our troops and their families who are 
under increasing duress. Specifically, Congress should grant a $1,500 
bonus to all those who serve in Iraq and Afghanistan. Not since Vietnam 
have such a large number of troops been deployed for so long. The 
pressure this puts on our troops and their families is tremendous. This 
summer, the Department of Defense increased deployments for troops 
serving in Iraq and Afghanistan to 1 year, and not until last week did 
the Department of Defense offer these troops who are living under 
highly primitive and stressful conditions a 2-week leave for rest and 
recuperation. And tragically this month, our U.S. casualties in Iraq 
surpassed the number of those killed in the first gulf war. We now have 
lost more than 300 soldiers, sailors and airmen.
  Recognizing the increasing gravity of U.S. military involvement 
abroad, I introduced H.R. 3051 to qualify all active duty military 
personnel deployed for any length of time in Iraq and Afghanistan for a 
$1,500 bonus. This bonus proposal should be made part of the 
supplemental appropriation bill. As Members of Congress, we may have 
different ideas about the U.S. policy in Iraq, but we can all agree our 
service- men and -women deserve our sincere recognition for their 
courageous efforts. $1,500 will not only help boost morale but will 
send a strong bipartisan message to our troops that Congress is unified 
behind them.
  The Bush administration is lobbying Congress for $21 billion in 
direct grants to support infrastructure developments in Iraq in this 
$87 billion supplemental appropriations bill. First of all, I see no 
reason why we cannot separate this $87 billion into two separate bills: 
one, the $66 billion defense portion, which I think we all support, and 
$21 billion for the reconstruction portion and then let us as a 
Congress require Iraqi oil to be used as collateral for international 
loans to finance Iraqi infrastructure projects and ensure that Iraq 
construction contracts are competitively bid. Either way, U.S. citizens 
should not be expected to support Iraqi development while many 
Americans are facing shortfalls in funding here at home, in health 
care, prescription drug coverage, schools, road construction, and other 
critical infrastructure improvements. Congress must continue to work to 
restore Iraq to a stable and self-governing state, but not at the 
expense of Americans here at home and our troops abroad.
  I also question several items contained in the administration's 
supplemental bill for Iraq, like the $4 million to develop a set of 
telephone numbers and $150 million for a national 911 system; $100 
million to build seven planned communities with 3,258 houses;

[[Page H9080]]

$10 million to finance 100 prison-building experts; $100 million for 
2,000 garbage trucks; $20 million for Afghanistan consultants; $850 
million for health facility construction and medical equipment 
replacement; and $900 million to import petroleum products, such as 
kerosene and diesel, to a country with the world's second largest oil 
reserves.
  Instead of again coming back and dipping into the pockets of working 
Americans and risking veterans benefits for our troops when they return 
home, I support proposals to suspend the tax cut for the top 1 percent 
of income earners to pay for the Bush administration's $87 billion 
supplemental appropriation bill for Iraq. Again, I urge Congress to 
consider my bill, H.R. 3051, to include support for our troops in the 
supplemental aid package to Iraq. Again, my bill provides a $1,500 
bonus to military personnel who serve under the Army, Navy, Air Force, 
Marine Corps, Coast Guard, National Guard and Reserves in a combat zone 
in Iraq or Afghanistan. In the coming year, an estimated 150,000 young 
men and women will not see their families. They will be deployed 
overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan. A record number of Reservists and 
Guards- men and -women will put their private sector opportunities and 
jobs on hold, and thousands of children from every part of America will 
pray for their parents' safe return.
  These extraordinary times deserve an exemplary measure. I urge my 
colleagues to support my bill, H.R. 3051, to provide for our troops in 
Iraq and Afghanistan and to make it a part of the supplemental 
appropriations bill. Give our troops the $1,500 bonus they deserve.

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