[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 38 (Thursday, March 30, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E470]
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 HURRICANE RECOVERY, 2006

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 16, 2006

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 4939) making 
     emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year 
     ending September 30, 2006, and for other purposes:

  Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to H.R. 
4939. Today, Congress continues its owe-as-you-go policy of borrowing 
and spending, burdening future generations of Americans with an 
additional $92 billion in debt and at the same time embracing the Bush 
administration's disastrous war in Iraq. Giving this administration 
more borrowed money for billion dollar no-bid contracts without 
congressional oversight is irresponsible and a policy I can neither 
justify nor defend.
  In a cynical maneuver, the Republican majority has linked nearly $70 
billion more for maintaining U.S. troops in the middle of an Iraqi 
civil war with the resources needed to assist Katrina's victims and the 
funds necessary to keep alive the victims of genocide in Sudan's Darfur 
region. I strongly support providing our fellow citizens of the gulf 
coast with the resources to rebuild their lives and their communities 
and increasing our commitment to bringing peace to Sudan. However, I 
cannot support an administration policy of consistently misleading the 
American people about the unsustainable Federal budget deficits and the 
quagmire in Iraq.
  It is an irresponsible budget gimmick to fund the war in Iraq through 
emergency spending. We are beginning the fourth year of war in Iraq. 
Clearly the Bush administration was aware that there would be funding 
needs and had the opportunity to account for those needs in the 
proposed budget. Instead, the entire cost of this war--over $300 
billion--is deferred to be paid for by future generations. Congress 
must have an honest debate about our increasing budget deficit and the 
implications of this debt on our country and our future.
  Every American soldier and marine deserves our support, as well as a 
realistic and honest strategy for success from the Bush administration. 
They also deserve a White House and Congress with the courage to pay 
for this war today, not pass the cost on to the children and 
grandchildren of every American, including every veteran who has 
sacrificed so much in Iraq.
  For the violence and murder to stop and the civil conflict in Iraq to 
end, it will require Iraqis, not Americans, willing to find solutions 
to bring security, stability and peace to their country. U.S. troops 
should never be in the position of being referees in a bloody civil 
war. Unfortunately, the Bush administration has no intention of drawing 
down U.S. troops anytime soon. The passage of this bill today will 
ensure, regrettably, that our troops will remain in Iraq for the 
foreseeable future.

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