[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 107 (Wednesday, July 24, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1124]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2014

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                               speech of

                         HON. ELIZABETH H. ESTY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 23, 2013

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2397) making 
     appropriations for the Department of Defense for the fiscal 
     year ending September 30, 2014, and for other purposes:

  Ms. ESTY. Mr. Chair, I thank my colleagues Mr. Walberg (R-MI); Mr. 
Cohen (D-TN); Mr. Rigell (R-VA) for crafting this smart, commonsense 
amendment which would simply reduce the Afghanistan Infrastructure Fund 
by $79 million and redirect those funds to the Spending Reduction 
Account, saving taxpayer dollars.
  This is a targeted and smart cut, at a time when we are asking all to 
do more with less.
  And in fact, with this amendment, we would simply be funding this 
account at the level which this body passed last year.
  Now more than ever, we need to make smart investments in our own 
infrastructure to create jobs and improve efficiency for our 
businesses.
  A business owner in my district recently told me how his drivers lose 
two hours a day sitting in traffic . . .
  . . . And many citizens in Connecticut are pleading to widen 1-84 
around Waterbury and to modernize our interchanges.
  Additionally, Newtown has recommended rebuilding Sandy Hook 
Elementary School, and there is an appropriate role for the Federal 
Government.
  We must prioritize our investments and find ways to reduce our 
deficit.
  I urge Members to support this amendment.

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