[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 62 (Thursday, May 6, 2004)]
[House]
[Page H2712]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Corrine Brown) is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, with Mother's Day quickly 
approaching, I want to first thank all of the mothers and wish them a 
happy Mother's Day and thank them for what they do to make America the 
great place that it is. I want to thank in particular the American gold 
star mothers for their sacrifice and for the sacrifice of their 
children by answering the call of duty to their country.
  Let me be clear: I support our troops 100 percent. I would like to 
honor our brave troops, all the military families and all that they do 
and have sacrificed for our Nation. I want to emphasize that I do not 
want our troops to be the scapegoats for this administration's failed 
policies. What is going on in Iraq right now is just another example of 
this failed administration policy.
  And where is the leadership on this? Where is the President? This 
administration is once again missing in action. MIA. At this exact 
moment, with all of the uprising in Iraq, our troops are being placed 
in the most dangerous position. And although I pledge to do everything 
within my power as an elected official to ensure that our servicemen 
and women have the equipment and resources they need to carry out their 
mission, I find it disturbing, in fact, misleading that President Bush 
continues to hide the truth about Iraq from the American people.
  In fact, up until yesterday, the administration was saying that 
another supplemental appropriation request would be unnecessary until 
after, by the way, November elections. To me, however, it seemed more 
than likely that this administration knew all along that they were 
going to need additional funding. Unfortunately, this new request of 
$25 billion in supplemental spending for Iraq is just another example 
of the administration's pattern of covering up the facts and refusing 
to share information with the American people. Although the American 
public demands to know the truth about the cost of the war, time and 
time again the administration has denied them the opportunity to get 
the full story. Moreover, the Republican leadership in Congress refuses 
to fulfill its constitutional obligation to act as a check and balance 
on the executive branch.
  With this $25 billion, our country's taxpayers will be forced to 
spend over $200 billion for this war. How much more will we need in the 
future? No one knows because the administration does not tell us 
anything. I would like to say contrary to the administration's talk 
about how they pass measures like this to provide for the troops, in 
the last $87 billion supplemental, the Bush administration never even 
requested sufficient funds for body armor, Humvees, and dozens of other 
badly needed supplies that the troops need over there for their 
survival. These items were only included in the package because it was 
stuck in in this Congress. Not this administration. The Congress put 
those supplies in for the troops.
  In closing, we need to be included in the strategy. The President is 
asking for another $25 billion. What I am requesting from them is some 
transparency. I am requesting a broader, inclusive strategy. We are 
three branches of government, not a dictatorship. America needs a plan 
for Iraq, Mr. President, one that does not involve hundreds more 
American troops going home in body bags.
  In November, the American people will have their say. Do not forget 
the 2000 election because it does matter who is in charge.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, will the gentlewoman yield?
  Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. I yield to the gentlewoman from Texas.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. I thank the gentlewoman for what she has 
said. I want to join her in her salute to mothers with a happy Mother's 
Day, but also let me say that my heart goes out to mothers who have 
lost children in the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. I thank the 
gentlewoman for acknowledging them. I acknowledge my mom, Ivalita 
Jackson, at this time. I thank the gentlewoman so much and happy 
Mother's Day to her.
  Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. Happy Mother's Day to all of the 
mothers.

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