[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 155 (Saturday, September 27, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2039-E2040]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      CONSOLIDATED SECURITY, DISASTER ASSISTANCE, AND CONTINUING 
                       APPROPRIATIONS ACT OF 2009

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. MARK UDALL

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 24, 2008

  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I will vote for this 
appropriations measure--partly because of what it includes, but 
primarily because I have concluded it would be irresponsible and a 
dereliction of duty to do otherwise.
  Nonetheless, I must express my unhappiness with the way in which the 
legislation was developed, especially the decision to accede to the 
Bush Administration's insistence that it not include anything that 
would impede their desire to rush toward full-scale commercial 
development of oil shale.
  By this insistence, the White House has shown it is quite ready to 
disregard our Western Slope communities and put Colorado's water 
supplies at risk. They were prepared to shut down the entire Federal 
Government--at a moment when our economy is in crisis--rather than 
accept a careful, responsible approach to full-scale oil shale 
development. Such `my way or the highway' tactics are deplorable, and 
while some may be tempted to respond in kind, I cannot in good 
conscience adopt the same approach by voting against this legislation.
  I am also very disappointed that far too many of the measure's 
provisions have never previously been considered by the House or even 
approved by the full Appropriations Committee, meaning that they never 
have been and never will be the subject of detailed debate or possible 
revision.
  I do not think this is the way the House of Representatives should 
exercise its serious constitutional responsibility for deciding how to 
spend the taxpayers' money.
  However, while both the process through which the measure was 
developed and the details of its provisions could have been better, it 
includes many provisions that deserve enactment.

[[Page E2040]]

  For example, it includes $910 million to defray firefighting costs 
and emergency fire-prevention efforts, and to help recover lands 
devastated by recent fires.
  This has been one of the worst wildfire seasons on record, and while 
Colorado has not been as hard hit we have not been immune. Nationally, 
nearly 5 million acres have burned, costing over $1.8 billion for 
Federal wildfire suppression activities, which is $700 million above 
the average suppression cost.
  So, it is appropriate that that measure includes a total of $610 
million for wildfire suppression activities, including sufficient funds 
to fully repay all agency operating and construction funds which were 
previously borrowed to support emergency suppression activities earlier 
this summer. This repayment will allow the Forest Service and the 
Interior Department to use contractors and staff to revive important 
projects which were delayed by the budget shortfalls earlier this year.
  In addition, this legislation includes a total of $175 million for 
urgently needed hazardous fuels reduction projects all over the Nation, 
including extensive areas in Colorado and other parts of the mountain 
west which are suffering unprecedented tree die-off from infestations 
of bark beetles and some other insects. Of this total, some $125 
million is for state and private activities and $50 million for 
projects on national forests. Another $100 million will be used for 
rehabilitation of burned areas, including $75 million for the Forest 
service and $25 million for the Interior Department, and another $25 
million is provided for firefighter retention.
  Responding to the problems associated with insect infestations in 
Colorado's forests has been a high priority for me. I have worked with 
other members of our state's delegation on legislative proposals and 
have joined in efforts to secure increased funding for that purpose--so 
these parts of the bill are particularly welcome.
  Further, as a member of the Armed Services Committee, I am also 
particularly glad to note that the FY09 Defense Department 
Appropriations bill included in this package puts our troops first.
  It provides funds for necessary weapons and equipment and training, 
boosting funds particularly for the National Guard and Reserve; makes 
critical investments in the health of our troops, including $300 
million for traumatic brain injury and mental health; provides more 
than the president's request to improve army barracks and military 
hospitals; and compensates troops for every month their terms of 
service are involuntarily extended, also known as ``stop loss.'' The 
bill also includes funding for important weapons systems and 
intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance needs.
  This legislation also provides FY09 funding for Defense Department 
military construction, including $474 million for military construction 
projects at Fort Carson, as well as $65 million for construction at the 
Pueblo Chemical Depot, $4.9 million for land acquisition at Peterson 
AFB, $18 million for Colorado National Guard readiness centers in 
Denver and Grand Junction, $3 million for a satellite pharmacy and $4.2 
million for Alert Crew Headquarters at Buckley Air Force Base, and $18 
million to upgrade academic facilities at the U.S. Air Force Academy.
  Finally, this legislation includes FY09 funding for the Department of 
Veterans Affairs--providing $47.6 billion for veterans' medical care, 
claims processors, and facility improvements, including $20 million for 
the new Fitzsimons VA hospital. The bill makes substantial increases in 
mental health and substance abuse programs, provides veterans with 
advanced prosthetics, provides additional resources for veterans who 
live in places where the VA does not offer sufficient services, 
increase the gas mileage reimbursement rate to 41.5 cents per mile, and 
improves access to care for veterans in rural areas.
  In conclusion, I have decided the bill's merits--which include the 
fact that it will allow all federal agencies to continue their work 
until the next Congress can complete action on funding legislation for 
the remainder of this fiscal year--outweigh its defects, and I will 
vote for it.

                          ____________________