[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 33 (Thursday, March 17, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E483]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT FOR DEFENSE, THE GLOBAL WAR 
                   ON TERROR, AND TSUNAMI RELIEF 2005

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 16, 2005

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 1268) making 
     emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year 
     ending September 30, 2005, and for other purposes.
  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Chairman, the $81 billion that the president is 
requesting for the war in Iraq is his 3rd request for emergency 
spending--and still there is no exit strategy and no plan for success 
in Iraq. This is a war that was sold to the American people and Members 
of Congress under false pretenses, and the American people cannot 
continue to fund indefinitely this administration's gross incompetence, 
particularly without any real oversight tied to it. The administration 
is rapidly bankrupting this country for this war, while starving our 
most important priorities here at home, such as homeland security, 
social security and education. The administration has raised the debt 
ceiling three times to a record $7.6 trillion, grown the largest budget 
deficit in our history, $412 billion last year, and expanded a record 
trade deficit of $619 billion.
  Mr. Speaker, I support and honor the troops. My father is a veteran 
of World War II and my brother is a veteran of the Vietnam War. The 
National Guard's 42nd Infantry Division is made up of brave New 
Yorkers--I am deeply concerned for their safety. Which is why I was 
shocked and appalled when some photos straight from the 42nd I.D. in 
Tikrit were given to me recently.
  Despite the billions already allocated for Iraq, these photos show 
humvees with metal sheets slapped on to their sides like makeshift 
armor; with empty oxygen canisters being used to anchor the soldiers' 
weapons; with junkyard quality doors. You can view these pictures for 
yourself on my website.
  I want to know, why hasn't every cent we have appropriated gone to 
properly equip the troops until they are all safe and secure? Mr. 
Speaker, the lack of equipment for our troops is the most awful example 
of misspending of the money we have already allocated, but it is not 
the only one.
  And then there are billions of dollars that we either can't find or 
that were spent unwisely. The Coalition Provisional Authority 
completely lost $9 billion in Iraq. And now we have reports that the 
administration actually assisted Haliburton in concealing at least more 
than $100 million in overcharges out of its $7 billion in no-bid 
contracts.
  We must have stronger oversight. The administration should be able to 
tell the American taxpayer what is going on with its money in Iraq. 
There should be open and honest accounting. But even though previous 
spending bills set out specific requirements for reporting how the 
money is being spent and for an estimate of future costs, we have yet 
to receive either. How do mismanagement, poor decisions and no-bid 
contracts help our troops?
  Certainly, there are parts of this supplemental spending bill that I 
strongly support. The $650 million for tsunami relief and 
reconstruction is very important, and my amendment that was accepted 
will designate $3 million specifically for the UNFPA's efforts to aid 
maternal health in the tsunami-stricken areas. I also support the 
provisions to aid the peace in the Sudan, as well as development 
assistance for the West Bank and Gaza.
  Still, it is extremely troubling that we cannot get an honest 
accounting of the billions we are spending on this war. I'm deeply 
disappointed that the Republican House voted down an earlier amendment 
that would have ensured proper accounting of the money we spend. This 
administration needs to implement oversight and accountability, but it 
fails to do so. Before I can vote for another enormous expenditure of 
the American taxpayers' money for this war, I must be convinced that 
this administration will keeps tabs on the money and make sure it 
benefits our troops. Doing so is good for the war effort, and it's good 
for the troops.
  We cannot continue to hemorrhage the hard-earned money of American 
taxpayers when the troops need it, and we need it here at home. There 
is no end in sight to the loss of lives on all sides, and this 
administration still has no answers.

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