[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 12]
[House]
[Pages 17091-17103]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



 2001 EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT FOR RECOVERY FROM AND 
           RESPONSE TO TERRORIST ATTACKS ON THE UNITED STATES

  Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to the order just 
adopted, I call up the bill (H.R. 2888) making emergency supplemental 
appropriations for fiscal year 2001 for additional disaster assistance, 
for anti-terrorism initiatives, and for assistance in the recovery from 
the tragedy that occurred on September 11, 2001, and for other 
purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of H.R. 2888 is as follows:

                               H.R. 2888

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the 
     following sums are appropriated, out of any money in the 
     Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to provide emergency 
     supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2001, namely:

    EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT AND FUNDS APPROPRIATED TO THE 
                               PRESIDENT

                        Emergency Response Fund


                     (including transfers of funds)

       For emergency expenses to respond to the terrorist attacks 
     on the United States that occurred on September 11, 2001, to 
     provide assistance to the victims of the attacks, and to deal 
     with other consequences of the attacks, $40,000,000,000, to 
     remain available until expended, including for the costs of 
     (1) providing Federal, State, and local preparedness for 
     mitigating and responding to the attacks, (2) providing 
     support to counter, investigate, or prosecute domestic or 
     international terrorism, (3) providing increased 
     transportation security, (4) repairing public facilities and 
     transportation systems damaged by the attacks, and (5) 
     supporting national security: Provided, That these funds may 
     be transferred to any authorized Federal Government activity 
     to meet the purposes of this Act: Provided further, That the 
     Congress designates the entire amount as an emergency 
     requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of the Balanced 
     Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985: Provided 
     further, That $40,000,000,000 shall be available only to the 
     extent that an official budget request, that includes 
     designation of the $40,000,000,000 as an emergency 
     requirement as defined in the Balanced Budget and Emergency 
     Deficit Control Act of 1985, is transmitted by the President 
     to the Congress: Provided further, That the President shall 
     consult with the chairmen and ranking minority members of the 
     Committees on Appropriations prior to the transfer of these 
     funds: Provided further, That of the $40,000,000,000 made 
     available herein, $10,000,000,000 shall not be available for 
     transfer to any Department or Agency until 15 days after the 
     Director of the Office of Management and Budget has submitted 
     to

[[Page 17092]]

     the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations a proposed 
     allocation and plan for use of the funds for that Department 
     or Agency; $20,000,000,000 may be obligated only when enacted 
     in a subsequent emergency appropriations bill, in response to 
     the terrorist acts on September 11, 2001: Provided further, 
     That the President shall transmit an amended budget request 
     proposing an allocation of funds: Provided further, That not 
     less than one-half of the $40,000,000,000 shall be for 
     disaster recovery activities and assistance related to the 
     terrorist acts in New York, Virginia and Pennsylvania on 
     September 11, 2001, as authorized by law: Provided further, 
     That the Director of the Office of Management and Budget 
     shall provide quarterly reports to the Committees on 
     Appropriations on the use of these funds, beginning not later 
     than January 2, 2002: Provided further, That the President 
     shall submit to the Congress as soon as practicable detailed 
     requests to meet any further funding requirements for the 
     purposes specified in this Act.

                           General Provisions

       Sec. 1. Funds appropriated by this Act, or made available 
     by the transfer of funds in this Act, for intelligence 
     activities are deemed to be specifically authorized by the 
     Congress for purposes of Section 504 of the National Security 
     Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 414).
       Sec. 2. Funds appropriated by this Act, or made available 
     by the transfer of funds in this Act, may be obligated and 
     expended notwithstanding section 10 of Public Law 91-672, 
     section 313 of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, 
     fiscal years 1994 and 1995, and section 15 of the State 
     Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956.
       This Act may be cited as the ``2001 Emergency Supplemental 
     Appropriations Act for Recovery from and Response to 
     Terrorist Attacks on the United States''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the order of the House of today, 
the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Young) and the gentleman from Wisconsin 
(Mr. Obey) each will control 30 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Young).

                              {time}  0915

  Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, America is one Nation united under God today more than 
any time since December 7, 1941, when we were attacked at Pearl Harbor. 
Americans are normally very busy people, staying focused on those 
matters of concern to ourselves and to our families.
  Today our country's focus is on our fellow Americans who lost their 
lives in the despicable terrorist attack on Tuesday, September 11, 
2001, and also on their families who mourn them. We seek God's blessing 
of comfort for them.
  Today, Mr. Speaker, America has officially set aside a time for 
national mourning. We will also focus on rebuilding what terrorists 
destroyed. Today we focus on not only seeking out those who brought 
this attack to our land, but to deal with those who might be planning 
other sneak attacks on America or the rest of the civilized world. 
Americans will not live in fear, and we will not allow attacks on our 
people or our places.
  With the action of the United States Congress today, the world will 
know that our people and we as their representatives in Congress are 
more united behind our President as he leads this great Nation under 
God than most Americans alive today have ever witnessed. We absorbed 
the attacks in Beirut when we lost brave Marines. We absorbed the 
attack at Khobar Towers when we lost brave members of our Air Force 
deployed to that part of the world. We absorbed the embassy attacks in 
Africa with some retaliation. We had the attack on the USS Cole where 
members of our Navy were killed or seriously injured, and we will 
rebuild the Cole as a monument to advise the world that we will not 
accept these attacks on our people.
  When the attacks came on Tuesday of this week, we had several 
options. We could have selected to wait, to see if this was another 
isolated act of terrorism, or we could choose to fight back, to do 
whatever is necessary to protect our Nation, to protect our families, 
and to preserve our freedoms and our way of life.
  Let there be no doubt. Our choice, the choice of President George 
Bush, the choice of the United States Congress, and the choice of the 
great people of a great Nation is to fight back. The world will be 
impressed by our response as we mobilize for this fight.
  As we present this bill today, Mr. Speaker, I thank the Speaker of 
the House for all of the assistance and wisdom and guidance the 
gentleman from Illinois gave us as we produced this bill. This was not 
an easy bill to decide how best to respond in a constitutional way.
  I thank the leaders of the Senate who worked so diligently with us in 
order to write the bill that we will present here this morning, and I 
thank the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey), the ranking member of 
the Committee on Appropriations. We debated, argued our some 
differences, and worked together as Americans to come up with the right 
solution. Throughout, the gentleman from Wisconsin was a pillar of 
strength, a giant; and I want to say I appreciate the efforts the 
gentleman from Wisconsin made to make this happen.
  I thank the members of our staff who stayed with us through the day 
and the night in order to present this bill and make it a good bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank our friends and allies around the world who have 
come to our aid and assistance, if nothing more than with their words 
and demonstrations of support. That is a strong message for us and to 
the rest of the world, and especially to the terrorists in the world, 
that we are a united people against terrorism.
  Mr. Speaker, the bill that we present today, H.R. 2888, is an 
emergency supplemental appropriations bill that basically provides $40 
billion to be available as needed by the President, and as agreed to by 
the Congress, in order to mobilize this Nation to fight this fight, to 
eliminate the threat of terrorism from the United States and from the 
civilized world.
  We are going to move this bill quickly today, and we are going to 
have this mobilization underway. I think that the world will be 
impressed, and I believe that fear should be in the hearts of the 
terrorists because our people will not live in fear. We will not allow 
that to happen.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. OBEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 14 minutes.
  Mr. Speaker, this bill is a response to the worst attack on U.S. soil 
in the history of our republic. That attack requires a response which 
is focused, strong, mature, and lasting. That attack requires a 
response that is based on solid unity, and that unity must be based 
upon the recognition of and the overcoming of our differences, not in 
the ignoring or the papering over of our differences. That is the only 
way to provide true unity over the long haul.
  Very frankly, twice in the last 2 days I was concerned that that 
unity would not come about. This morning I can tell every Member of 
this House without question that those divisions have been overcome 
during negotiations on this bill, and I think it is important that some 
Members who have some misgivings understand the history of this bill.
  During negotiations on this bill, money has never been an object. 
Make no mistake about it, this committee, this body, will provide 
whatever resources are needed to respond to this challenge, not just 
today, not just tomorrow, but for as long as it takes; but it is 
crucial in our rush to a response that we preserve and protect the 
institutional arrangements that have been the very foundation of our 
liberty since the Constitution was first written.
  Mr. Speaker, the Congress has essentially only two powers that mean 
anything in the scheme of things. The first is the War Power; the 
second is the power of the purse. Very frankly, I am sad to say because 
of the nature of the times that we live in, the nature of technology 
and our own history over the last 30 years, the Congress' power to 
determine when we go to war has substantially eroded.
  Today, except in the most extraordinary circumstances, it is, 
frankly, the President who decides whether we will pull the trigger. 
But that means that Congress has a double obligation under the oath 
that we all took, to maintain the power of the purse. And we do not do 
that for turf reasons; we

[[Page 17093]]

do it because that is the fundamental power that Congress has, to 
preserve liberty for every American.
  Let me give some practical examples. These may seem mundane, but they 
go to the core of the relationship between branches of government.
  The World Trade Center in New York, I have no idea how that is going 
to finally be rebuilt, but at some point I think it is safe to say 
there may be a question about whether the Federal Government plays a 
role in funding that. I do not know what the outcome of that will be, 
but I do know that Congress as an institution has a right to be 
involved in those decisions. This is not a decision that can just be 
made by one branch of government unilaterally.
  The subway damage in New York. Decisions about the shape and nature 
of Federal involvement in repairing the subway must be made on a 
collaborative basis between the two branches of government.
  Public safety at airports. That is our first line of defense against 
terrorism and that failed this week. We are going to have major 
decisions made about how safety at airports are upgraded. The Congress 
must be able to take advantage of the expertise that people in this 
body have, people like the chairman of the subcommittee, the gentleman 
from Kentucky (Mr. Rogers), the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. 
Oberstar), and others who know a great deal about this.
  That expertise can be brought to bear only by congressional 
participation in those decisions. These are just some fairly mundane 
examples, but they are important in the long-term scheme of things.
  The first package that was presented to us was, frankly, a blank 
check; and to the credit of the people involved, that approach was 
rejected.
  This bill provides unprecedented grants of authority to the 
President, but it does retain reasonable congressional ability to make 
its own judgments about how this money ought to be spent, and I want to 
describe what it does.
  This bill is a down payment on the efforts of this country to 
undertake to find and punish those who committed this terrible act and 
those who supported them, and it is a downpayment on providing the 
resources necessary to rebuild this Nation. It provides an initial 
payment of $40 billion to help the victims repair the damage, upgrade 
our security, and begin the military preparations to find and destroy 
the perpetrators of these deplorable and despicable acts. $10 billion 
will be available immediately upon the signature of the President and 
will be spent in areas of government that he deems appropriate under 
consultation with the Congress.
  A second $10 billion will become available after he has published his 
plans for its use. The Congress will have 15 days to review those 
plans, and I fully expect that there will be a respectful relationship 
between the two branches of government in ironing out any misgivings 
that Congress might have with respect to any of those plans.
  Next, an additional $20 billion will be spent based upon the 
submission of a Presidential budget request and an action by the 
Congress in the regular appropriations bills that we will be sending to 
the President in the weeks ahead. Half of this money will be for 
responding to domestic cleanup, reconstruction, and humanitarian needs. 
The remainder will be for tightening security in military operations.
  In addition, Congress will be considering defense appropriations 
bills within the next few weeks that will contain in excess of $340 
billion as well as domestic appropriations which will contain numerous 
additional commitments to improving and enhancing security.
  Mr. Speaker, we are in day three of a new world. As a past President 
indicated a long time ago, we are entering into a long twilight 
struggle against terrorism. This is going to be a very nasty 
enterprise. Our country for its entire history has been shielded by two 
oceans from this kind of threat. Today with modern technology, with 
modern transportation, it is not only the economy that is global, we 
also have a global capability of people to take out their hatred on 
those that they do not like.

                              {time}  0930

  There is no question America paid a price for world leadership. If it 
proves to be that the people who perpetrated this act are those we 
suspect, it will demonstrate that we have also paid a price for the 
world's failure to find a resolution to the Middle East problems. We 
have also paid a price for a long period of underfunding a number of 
critical public service items, including airport security.
  This is going to be a long fight. We need to be able to stick 
together for the duration. That means we are going to have to be able 
to trust each other implicitly. We are going to have to be able to 
trust each other's word. And we are going to have to have a respectful 
relationship between the two branches of government. Because it is very 
easy, once the going gets tough on an issue like this, for people to 
bail out. The only thing that will keep us together is conscience and 
unity built on honest agreement.
  I want to thank a few people. I want to thank Senator Byrd who in my 
view was fierce in defense of the institutional prerogatives that we 
must hold dear. These prerogatives are important, not because they make 
us powerful but because they are the only tools that enable us to 
protect the liberty of each and every American that we represent. I 
want to thank Senator Stevens for overcoming his differences and 
working with all of us. I want to thank Chairman Young. Bill Young and 
I have a long relationship. We are friends, we are sometimes 
adversaries, but in all instances we are partners, and we will be 
partners for a long time to come as we deal with these issues. I want 
to thank the minority leader, Mr. Gephardt, because he intervened on 
three separate and crucial occasions in order to convey a seriousness 
of purpose on both ends of the avenue that was necessary to overcome 
our differences. I want to thank our Speaker. Yesterday on at least two 
occasions he demonstrated what leadership is all about. And I think it 
is safe to say that, more than almost anyone, he recognized the need 
for true unity yesterday and he recognized, as I said earlier, that 
that unity needed to be based upon the overcoming of our differences 
rather than the papering over of our differences.
  I also do want to thank our staff on both sides of the aisle. Many 
people sitting here this morning have been working for days on this, 
but I especially want to single out Scott Lilly, the staff director on 
our side of the aisle, and Jim Dyer on the Republican side of the 
aisle. As usual, they have helped us to bridge differences and they 
have helped us protect the prerogatives and the needs of this 
institution. And the way they do it on a daily basis is a constant 
demonstration of the day-to-day actions that constitute true 
patriotism. I am profound in my admiration for them and all of those 
who work with them.
  I want to say to the people of New York, there is not a district in 
this country that is more different from New York than mine. But every 
person in my district today stands as one with the people of New York. 
They have experienced a tragedy which is unparalleled. Our hearts go 
out to every single family who has lost anyone. I want to express our 
solidarity with those folks at the Pentagon, those folks who work 
there. They defend our country abroad and at home. Some of them paid 
the ultimate price and we will not forget. I want to thank those that 
were on the various airplanes that crashed who gave us fragmentary 
information about what happened and, at least on several occasions, 
obviously engaged in struggles which may have preserved the existence 
of the very building in which we work today. We owe them a lot. And we 
owe to each other efforts to build a new relationship and a new sense 
of comity in this town so that we can, in fact, meet the 
responsibilities that we were elected to perform.
  I urge support for this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 1 minute.

[[Page 17094]]

  Mr. Speaker, when America is attacked, when any American is attacked, 
when any of our places is attacked, all of our country is attacked. 
America was attacked on last Tuesday. Attacks took place in New York 
City and on our Defense Department here in northern Virginia. The 
gentleman from Wisconsin just eloquently referred to that. The New York 
delegation has been very strong in supporting whatever efforts need to 
be done to help the recovery in New York. The Governor of the State, 
Governor Pataki, the mayor of the city, Mayor Giuliani, all of the 
officials, the police, the firefighters, the emergency medical 
technicians, the doctors, the nurses, the civilians who volunteered, 
everyone has just responded in such a tremendous way, an outpouring of 
support and unity. It is just amazing to watch this response.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. 
Walsh), one of the leaders of his Congressional delegation and also a 
leader on the Committee on Appropriations. He and other members of the 
delegation spoke to us eloquently yesterday at a meeting that we held 
with them.
  Mr. WALSH. Mr. Speaker, it has often been said that America is great 
because it is good. This bill exemplifies the goodness of our Nation. I 
would like to begin by thanking the President of the United States who 
has been a pillar of strength throughout this incredible period of 
time. When I watched him yesterday, I saw tears welling up in his eyes. 
I saw his chin quiver. All of us have felt that since this incident 
occurred. But at the same time it was a velvet surface on a solid steel 
interior, and I think that is the way everyone has approached this 
tragedy.
  I am so proud of this Nation. I am so proud of my colleagues here in 
the Congress. The way people came together to resolve this, 
partisanship aside, bicameral differences aside, would make this 
country and should make this country proud. The generosity of the 
American people is reflected in its representation here in the 
Congress, and this bill is the epitome of that generosity, $40 billion. 
But the point is the first thing the President said to the mayor and to 
the Governor of New York was, ``Whatever it takes.'' When I spoke with 
Chairman Young, he said, ``We're going to provide whatever it takes.'' 
Ranking Member Obey, ``Whatever it takes.'' There was no issue of money 
anywhere along the line. I want to express my gratitude to them.
  Yesterday, I had the occasion to visit the Pentagon and to see the 
courage and bravery and the professional demeanor of the men and women 
who are working there. It inspires great strength. It inspires great 
confidence. The people of FEMA, the men and women over whom my 
subcommittee has oversight, are leading the efforts in both locations. 
Director Albaugh is in New York City doing his job. And he is proud to 
do it. We will be providing funds through this bill to FEMA. FEMA has 
already allocated $165 million for the response in both locations. The 
estimates from FEMA at this point, and they are preliminary estimates, 
are that the costs for the cleanup and reconstruction of this site in 
New York City are in the neighborhood of $9 to $10 billion. Those are 
only estimates. There are other estimates that are much higher. But 
clearly this is a proper, appropriate response to the initial damage 
that was done.
  The promise that this bill provides from getting our city and our 
Pentagon back on track to tracking down the perpetrators of this 
incredible mass murder, is that the necessary resources will be there, 
because everyone, right down the line, including our Speaker, has 
promised to provide whatever it takes.
  Mr. OBEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Murtha), the distinguished ranking member on the 
Subcommittee on Defense of the Committee on Appropriations.
  Mr. MURTHA. Mr. Speaker, I want to compliment the leadership in 
protecting the prerogatives of the Congress but protecting the 
prerogatives of the people of this great Nation with the largest 
supplemental that I have ever seen since I have been in Congress. I 
think it is a well thought out and carefully drawn bill.
  But what I wanted to really talk about was in my district, the 
tragedy that unfolded there. When we sat in the Capitol, when Jerry 
Lewis and I sat in the Capitol and heard that a plane was headed 
towards the Capitol, we evacuated, we listened to the various stories 
of it hitting New York, hitting the Pentagon. Then I traveled back to 
the district. I listened to the people who saw the airplane crash. I 
listened to the people in the tower in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, who 
explained to me they had a notification from Cleveland center about 10 
minutes before the plane went over. It went over Johnstown airport at 
about 6,000 feet. I recognized, with all my years of experience 
listening to reports on terrorism, that that crew, those passengers, 
were struggling, that whole time. The plane started to disintegrate, 
apparently, four or five miles from the site where it landed.
  When a reporter has asked me, why do you not think it was headed for 
Johnstown, Pennsylvania, well, as proud as I am of our district, there 
is no question in my mind the Capitol of the United States is a symbol 
of freedom worldwide. There is no question in my mind this airplane was 
headed towards the Capitol and it would have been disastrous with the 
loss of life and the symbolism that it would have presented to the 
perpetrators of this tragedy.
  I am convinced they struggled. They fought. They missed a school by 
about a mile. They missed an industrial park by a couple of miles. They 
missed the airport by a couple of miles. But when I say a couple of 
miles, I am talking about seconds. This plane was traveling at just 
under the speed of sound. And as it rolled over and the people that saw 
it crash into the ground said it was upside down when it hit. I have 
seen tragedy in Beirut the day after the bombing. I have been to 
Somalia and Bosnia and Vietnam. I have never seen anything as 
horrendous as this crash. It apparently came straight in, avoided all 
the land, all the houses, the structures and so forth, and their 
purpose was consummated.
  As a matter of fact, a number of people, and I agree with this, 
recommended we should put a small monument out there at the location 
where this plane hit. We are going to do that. We are going to also put 
a plaque with all the names at the Johnstown airport, because I 
consider these folks as real heroes. If anything came out of that, it 
shows the strength of America. These folks decided in their own mind, 
and having been a combat veteran myself, I understand the tough 
decisions you have to make when your life is threatened. These folks 
made the decision that they were not going to let this plane hit a 
populated area.
  I want to commend them. I want to console the families. As tragic and 
sorrowful as this is, the fact that they saved innumerable lives, if 
there is any bright spot at all in this terrible tragedy, it is the 
fact that these people gave their lives to protect the Capitol of the 
United States, which is the symbol of freedom throughout the world.

                              {time}  0945

  Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman 
from New York (Mr. Sweeney), another distinguished member of the New 
York delegation, who is also a member of the Committee on 
Appropriations, and was very instrumental in helping us to resolve this 
appropriations bill today.
  Mr. SWEENEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding me time.
  Mr. Speaker, we have seen extraordinary efforts in bravery throughout 
America in the last several days; and as a New Yorker, yesterday I saw 
extraordinary efforts in recognition by a number of my colleagues here. 
As a New Yorker, I wanted to convey to those back home so it is 
understood, first, obviously, the President of the United States in 
recognizing the devastation and the deep hurt that was affecting all of 
us. I watched, Mr. Speaker, I watched my chairman, the gentleman from 
Florida (Chairman Young), recognize, understand and

[[Page 17095]]

work ever so hard into the wee hours of this morning to begin to bring 
about the healing and bring about solutions for all of us in America, 
but in particular the pain we are feeling in New York. I want to say 
thank you to them.
  I saw the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey) and the other 
leadership work together in those same recognitions. There was a clear 
sign yesterday of how we all understood the devastation for the 
affected areas; but in reality, that devastation and its effect goes 
beyond individual jurisdiction, and the injury hits us all as 
Americans.
  On Wednesday in this House we began with ceremony and symbolism as a 
body. Today I am proud to be part of a body and part of Congress that 
will act in the most meaningful and expeditious ways to begin to bring 
about the healing of the American people, of New Yorkers, and of this 
entire world.
  I thank you all, and I urge my colleagues to support this important 
legislation.
  Mr. OBEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler), who was deeply involved in 
negotiations yesterday with us.
  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, let me express my gratitude to everyone in 
this Chamber for their expressions of solidarity with the people of New 
York and the people of my district.
  On Tuesday, September 11, 2001, like December 7, 1941, a date which 
will live in infamy, the United States was viciously and treacherously 
attacked. Thousands of our fellow citizens lie dead under the rubble. 
The World Trade Center, one of the most visible symbols of my home, New 
York City, is no more. Thousands of families even now frantically await 
word of the fates of their family members.
  Our response must be swift and resolute. First, we must continue the 
rescue and recovery operation, we must do all we can to assist the 
families of the victims, and we must help New York to recover from the 
devastation visited upon her.
  Second, we must prosecute the war that has been thrust upon us with 
resolve, with fortitude, with unity, until the evil terrorist groups 
that are waging war against our country are eradicated from the face of 
the Earth.
  This bill provides a down payment on the funds necessary to wage this 
war and to assist its victims. We will have to do far, far more; but we 
must begin. I urge unanimous approval of this bill.
  Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 1\1/2\ minutes.
  Mr. Speaker, another of the sites of devastation was the Defense 
Department in Northern Virginia, at the Pentagon. After the tradegy, I 
went to the Pentagon, I visited there twice, and I will tell you that 
it is a sad, sad experience to see the nerve center of our military 
establishment attacked and damaged severely with a tragic loss of life.
  Mr. Speaker, America sometimes takes our military for granted, except 
in a time of trouble and tribulation, when the military is called upon 
to perform, or when they are put at risk.
  Mr. Speaker, the men and women who serve in uniform could be at risk 
at any time, without notice. These Americans serving at the Pentagon on 
Tuesday suffered with no notice, a tremendous loss of life. Those of us 
who spend time in Northern Virginia have friends who have been affected 
by the loss of loved ones.
  Mr. Speaker, the one Member of this Congress who spends most of his 
life dealing with national defense issues is the chairman of the 
Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense. I have the 
privilege of serving on that subcommittee and I chaired it for some 
time. The current chairman, the gentleman from California (Mr. Lewis) 
is a real patriot and is really dedicated to the well-being of the men 
and women who serve in our military.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Lewis), the distinguished chairman of the Subcommittee on Defense of 
the Committee on Appropriations.
  Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate very much the 
gentleman yielding me time.
  Mr. Speaker, I have come to tell friends in the last couple of days 
that Americans have not wanted to believe that our shores would ever be 
in danger, for we are a free people, a people who live in peace and who 
want freedom and peace for the world.
  It is hard to believe that there are those who would use murder as 
their mechanism to make their point in the world. But, indeed, we have 
come together as a people across the country. We will adjourn not too 
long from now to go and pray together.
  The world will see a different kind of America in the days ahead. My 
chairman in his statement said that we will not live in fear, and, 
indeed, we will not. A great President of our past, Franklin Delano 
Roosevelt, once said that the only thing we have to fear is, indeed, 
fear itself.
  Yesterday on the floor of the House, the minority leader, the 
gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Gephardt), expressed the feeling of all of 
us that we in the House of Representatives, who have some serious 
responsibility here, nonetheless recognize in a time like this that we 
must support our Commander in Chief.
  There is no party. My colleague, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. 
Murtha), and I working on this Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee 
on Defense, know the importance of national strength.
  But when our people come together, there is no Democrat, there is no 
Republican. We are the American people, and we will make sure that our 
freedom is preserved as we go forward and deliver hope for the world. 
Indeed, today is an important day for our people, standing shoulder by 
shoulder. We will communicate to all people who will hear that freedom 
for the world is our purpose.
  Mr. OBEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Missouri (Mr. Skelton), the distinguished ranking member of the 
Committee on Armed Services.
  Mr. SKELTON. I certainly thank the gentleman for yielding me time.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this supplemental 
appropriation bill. We are here because there has been an outrage to 
decency, to American decency, by the attacks of September 11. We today 
are reflecting by our debate and by our votes the outrage of all 
Americans.
  I realize that the words of condolences and the words of anger and 
outrage have nearly all been said, but we are here to act today. We are 
here to act by considering this legislation and passing it, hopefully 
unanimously, so that we can support the staggering loss of life and the 
symbols of American prowess in the world that have been damaged or 
destroyed. We are saddened for that.
  But never let there be a doubt that we as Americans will retaliate, 
and that those who perpetrated this or harbor those who perpetrated it 
will long remember that they should never touch America again.
  Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 30 seconds.
  Mr. Speaker, I do so to say that in addition to the security of the 
Nation that we talk about with respect to our uniformed services and 
our military personnel and those who are at risk at any given time and 
those who serve this Nation so well, who are all volunteers, by the 
way, Mr. Speaker, intelligence is an important part of our Nation's 
security.
  We have a very distinguished leader as chairman of our Permanent 
Select Committee on Intelligence, a friend of mine for a long time, a 
colleague. I had the privilege of serving on the Permanent Select 
Committee on Intelligence for 14 years. The gentleman from Florida (Mr. 
Goss) is a former intelligence officer himself and has done a great job 
leading the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Most of the 
time the work that the gentleman and the folks who deal with national 
defense do not get much exposure, because much of that work must be 
done in secret.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. 
Goss), the distinguished chairman of the Permanent Select Committee on 
Intelligence.
  Mr. GOSS. Mr. Speaker, I am much obliged to my good friend and 
colleague and very distinguished former

[[Page 17096]]

member of the committee, whose wisdom we still enjoy on the committee, 
my friend, the chairman of the Committee on Appropriations, the 
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Young).
  We are equally blessed to have as the chairman of the Subcommittee on 
Defense the gentleman from California (Mr. Lewis), who has also served 
on committee with great distinction. I do not think this country 
realizes how lucky we are to have people like the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Lewis), the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Young), the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Murtha), and the gentleman from 
Wisconsin (Mr. Obey), who understand the sensitivity and the necessity 
of the business that we deal with.
  We do have some necessary business I need to bring up, and I would 
like to engage in a colloquy, if I may. I think as Members of the House 
are aware, the National Security Act requires a specific authorization 
for each dollar spent by the United States Government on intelligence 
and intelligence-related activities. This is a safeguard for Americans. 
In cases such as this, when an emergency spending bill is passed by 
Congress that includes funds for intelligence, it is customary to 
include a provisional authorization in the bill for those intelligence 
dollars.
  I would like to seek the assurance of my good friends from Florida 
and California that although there is a provisional authorization for 
intelligence funds, it is their intent and the intent of the 
legislation that the administration will provide the appropriate 
congressional committees with a detailed accounting for all 
intelligence spending in this bill.
  Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. GOSS. I yield to the gentleman from California.
  Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I can assure the gentleman 
that when it comes to intelligence funding that may be in this bill, it 
is indeed the intent of this legislation that the administration will 
provide Congress with specific spending plans as funds are obligated as 
well as detailed records of expenditures actually made.
  Mr. Speaker, further, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Murtha) 
and I have just signed a letter to the director of the agency to make 
certain that there is a clear understanding of that very point that the 
gentleman makes.
  Mr. GOSS. Mr. Speaker, reclaiming my time, I thank my colleague. I 
also definitely look forward to continuing to work closely with the 
gentleman and his committee to ensure that the money in this bill and 
all future intelligence funding is utilized to strengthen and improve 
our intelligence capabilities, near term and long term. Is that 
accurate?
  Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, if the gentleman will yield 
further, that is correct.
  Mr. OBEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi), the ranking member on the 
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding, and 
commend the leadership and all those who participated in bringing this 
bill to the floor today.
  I want to associate myself with the concern expressed by our 
distinguished chairman of the Permanent Select Committee on 
Intelligence about having some idea of how this money will be spent 
before it is. Then I would like to, of course, express my deep 
condolences to the people of New York and of our military for the 
tragedy that has befallen our country this week.
  Our great President said it was a day that will live in infamy, of 
another tragic day in our history, and the distinguished chairman 
mentioned, he also said the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.
  It is on that point I would like to just say that fear is the goal of 
terrorists. They have succeeded when they can frighten a country or 
frighten a people into the panic that would ensue. They have never met 
the New Yorkers, who are a fearless lot. The indomitable spirit of New 
York, I know, will lead the country to the recovery that we must and 
will have.
  But make no mistake, make no mistake, they place no value on human 
life, these terrorists, so the number of people dead is no victory to 
them. The structures coming down mean nothing to them. Instilling fear 
is their goal. We must join with New York in its effort to, like the 
Phoenix, rise from the ashes and give them the defeat, the terrorists 
the defeat, that they deserve.
  Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3\1/2\ minutes to the 
gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Rogers), the distinguished chairman of the 
Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, who has a 
great responsibility; and one of his responsibilities is airline safety 
and security.

                              {time}  1000

  Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for 
yielding me this time.
  I rise in support of the bill. I want to commend the leadership of 
the Speaker; of the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Young), the chairman of 
this committee; the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey), the ranking 
member; and the bipartisan leadership for bringing this bill up and 
bringing it forward.
  Mr. Speaker, I have never reflected on the meaning of America's motto 
before this time, I have to admit. But it says it all, I think, and 
that motto, of course, is ``E Pluribus Unum,'' Out of Many, One.
  America is united now as I have not seen in my adult lifetime. It is 
heartening to see this morning riding into work Americans with flags 
flying from the windows of their cars and the offices of buildings 
throughout this city and, I am sure, all across America. In the wake of 
the despicable attack of September 11, Americans are in mourning. They 
are angry, but they are resolved to take decisive and severe action 
against these perpetrators, or those who harbor them. This raw emotion 
that Americans feel and the anger felt by us all will not easily yield 
to time, nor should it.
  Yesterday, the Congress expressed its sorrow and its resolve. Today, 
we begin to act. In this bill, we give the President the extraordinary 
authority and resources to provide relief to the victims suffering so 
severely, to prosecute efforts that will allow retaliation against our 
enemies to ensure the safety of our people and to instill public 
confidence in our public facilities and services. Of paramount concern, 
of course, is the safety and soundness of our aviation system. We must, 
and we will, work with the President, the Secretary of Transportation, 
and the FAA to take immediate medium-term and long-term measures that 
prevent civilians and commercial aircraft from falling prey to 
terrorists.
  This will be a complex and expensive task. It will require the 
cooperation of the Congress, Federal transportation officials, the 
intelligence community, the airline industry, airports, pilots, 
controllers, all of us. It will require creative thinking and some 
dramatic changes. But the aviation system is a critical component of 
this economy. To ensure its viability, the Congress must be convinced 
and the public must be satisfied that it is a safe system.
  We are pleased with the steps that have been taken so far by the 
Secretary of Transportation, but there are many more steps that should 
be taken. We have to secure the cockpit, we have to have an armed guard 
on these planes, and we have to greatly enhance the screening 
capabilities we have to keep out terrorists from the passenger lists 
and on the tarmac.
  So, Mr. Speaker, this bill will go a long way toward that. We have a 
long ways yet to go, and we will be back here in that respect.
  But I support this bill, and I commend our leadership for putting it 
together in a bipartisan fashion.
  Mr. OBEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished 
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fattah), a member of the committee.
  Mr. FATTAH. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member and I thank the 
chairman of the full committee for their work on this matter.
  I rise to speak in favor of the supplemental and to also indicate 
that it is my hope that as we go about seeking to

[[Page 17097]]

aid those who were victims of this tragedy, that we do not separate out 
in any way those who were victims in New York from those who were 
victims here in the Washington area. That is to say that I believe that 
all of those who were killed because of this incident really should be 
treated as if they died in service to this country, and that a 
comparable level of remuneration should be provided for even those who 
were not part of military service, and that a parity of benefits be 
accomplished through the dollars provided in this supplemental.
  Those who went to work at the World Trade Center, just like those who 
went to work at the Pentagon on September 11, were targeted out and 
killed because they were citizens of this country and doing a vital 
service to this Nation, and I think they should be treated equally in 
that regard.
  Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the 
distinguished gentleman from Northern Virginia (Mr. Wolf), who 
represents the area that includes the Defense Department and the 
Pentagon, a member of the Committee on Appropriations.
  Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this supplemental. 
I want to thank the leadership on both sides; I want to thank the 
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Young) and the gentleman from Wisconsin 
(Mr. Obey) for moving so fast on this issue. This issue has hit the 
area that I represent. I also want to say my heart goes out to those 
families in this area and in New York and in New Jersey, in just 
watching the pain and the suffering and the agony of those who are 
looking for their loved ones and to let them know how much we care.
  Also, I want to thank the rescue workers in my area, in New York 
City, and the people who have come together. I think this is just the 
beginning. I believe we should do whatever it takes and make sure that 
they know that we have the resolve to carry this through to make sure 
that we root out terrorism.
  Lastly, I want to commend the President. We had an opportunity 
yesterday, and he met with the delegation. He was strong, he was 
confident. He is committed. And we will resolve this issue, and we will 
bring victory over terrorism.
  I rise in strong support of this supplemental.
  Mr. OBEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished 
gentleman from Washington (Mr. Dicks), a key member of the committee 
and the former ranking member of the Committee on Intelligence, a 
member of the Subcommittee on Defense, and virtually every other 
committee that has anything to do with military affairs.
  Mr. DICKS. Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Young), the chairman of the committee, and the gentleman 
from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey), the ranking member, for the fantastic job 
they did of protecting the prerogatives of this institution. I want to 
commend them also for the prompt response to this tragic event in our 
country's history. Our hearts do go out to the people of New York and 
the people at the Pentagon who have lost loved ones. This is truly the 
greatest tragedy in the history of the country.
  I rise today just to urge our colleagues, as we think about this 
problem and prepare for the future, to recognize that we are going to 
have to strengthen not only our intelligence capability, but our 
military capability as well. For a number of years, we have been 
underfunding the Defense Department in terms of procurement and new 
weapons systems. I mean it has been at a tragically low level. Somehow, 
if we want to retain our military capability, if we want to have the 
kind of national security that we need for the future, we are going to 
have to make significant investments beyond those that we are making 
here today. This will help in some respects, but there still is a lot 
more that needs to be done.
  Again, congratulations to everyone who worked on this. This is a good 
bill that deserves our support.
  Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman 
from Pennsylvania (Mr. Peterson), another distinguished member of the 
Committee on Appropriations.
  Mr. PETERSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to support 
this legislation. I rise with all of my colleagues; and I want to 
commend my colleagues that have brought this all together, because we 
are here today supporting freedom, preserving freedom, not only here, 
but around the world. We are the artery that supplies freedom to all. 
This country is the beacon, is the artery; and they went for the 
jugular.
  I also am here supporting the heroes, the heroes in New York that 
gave their lives to get people out, heroes not mentioned. There were 
2,000 Federal employees in buildings 6 and 7, and they got them all out 
but one because they carried out their plan so well. The passengers on 
the flight that came down in Pennsylvania gave it their all, and we are 
here supporting them.
  If there is something good out of this, because I said in speeches 
for years that we often in Washington get off of our number one 
priority. The number one priority of the Federal Government is to 
preserve freedom, is to protect this country, is to keep us safe and 
provide safety and freedom around the world. Oftentimes, we have been 
off on lots of debates and I think spent far too little time and effort 
on the number one role of this government: preserving and fighting for 
freedom and making sure that the young people in this country 
understand that it does not just happen, it does not just keep going 
on; that we have to fight for it, that we have to preserve it, that it 
has to forever be the number one priority of this government; that 
keeping this country strong, keeping this country safe and promoting 
and fighting for freedom around the world is our number one role as 
representatives of our people in this Congress. That is our number one 
mission.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend all of those that are leading us, including 
the President, in the direction to do that.
  Mr. OBEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute and 20 seconds to the 
distinguished gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Lowey), the ranking 
member of the Committee on Foreign Operations, who was deeply involved 
in negotiations about the New York element of this package.
  Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I first want to thank the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Young), the chairman of the committee, and the ranking 
member for their extraordinary work in making this package possible.
  In my district today, children grieve for the fathers and mothers who 
did not come home from work on Tuesday. So many families are grieving, 
Mr. Speaker. By now we have all heard of the men and women trapped in 
the World Trade Center calling their spouses saying good-bye. Our 
hearts and prayers are with all who are still waiting for a loved one 
to come home. Our arms are around you and America is with you.
  As we speak on this floor, hundreds of brave men and women risk their 
lives minute by minute shifting carefully through the rubble and the 
twisted steel, searching against hope that they will find survivors in 
the wreckage of what was once my city's greatest building. Their 
heroism has moved a Nation and has touched the world. They are ordinary 
people engaged in the most extraordinary of acts. Each one is a hero 
and deserves our deepest thanks and praise. And they are not alone. New 
Yorkers and Americans have responded by the thousands, waiting in line 
to give blood and making charitable donations. This is the best of 
America and of New York.
  Now Congress must act. We New Yorkers pride ourselves on being tough, 
but we cannot bear this terrible burden alone. Our Mayor and our 
Governor have been magnificent, but they need our help.
  More than 48 hours after Tuesday morning's horrific attacks, the 
aftershocks continue. Buildings still crumble, families search for 
loved ones, thousands remain buried beneath rubble in New York and 
Virginia. Even now, rescuers are scrambling to pull survivors from the 
twisted steel and concrete of the World Trade Center.
  The bill before us today will provide $20 billion specifically for 
humanitarian needs.

[[Page 17098]]

  Governor Pataki and Mayor Giuliani have made clear that they need 
funds now to take care of immediate needs: search and rescue, recovery 
of the victims, support for survivors and victims' families, and 
restoration of security and basic services to lower Manhattan. This 
legislation sends a clear signal that the Nation stands shoulder-to-
shoulder with New York as we proceed with our rescue and recovery 
efforts.
  Our first priority, and our singular focus, must be finding 
survivors, healing the injured, and comforting the bereaved. But when 
the urgent humanitarian needs have been met, we will be faced with the 
daunting task of starting anew. And we will find that what took seconds 
to destroy will take years to rebuild.
  The package we pass today is merely a downpayment toward what will 
prove to be the largest recovery effort in our Nation's history--rough 
estimates total in the tens of billions of dollars. We will need to 
clear thousands of tons of debris from the streets. We will need to 
reconstruct large swaths of lower Manhattan. We will need to restore 
the infrastructure of the heart of the world's financial markets, and 
we will need to rebuild the economic backbone of the New York area. The 
ripple effects of this tragedy will be severe--they will be felt across 
the country, and around the world.
  As we embark on this long and tortuous journey, I pledge today to my 
fellow New Yorkers and to all Americans that Congress will be with you 
every step of the way.
  I urge unanimous passage of this bill.
  Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman 
from California (Mr. Dreier), the great chairman of the Committee on 
Rules.
  Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this 
time. I want to congratulate the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Young) and 
his entire team, and the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey) and, of 
course, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Goss), my friend and the great 
leader of the Committee on Intelligence, who also serves on the 
Committee on Rules.
  I would like to take just a moment to say that as we express 
appreciation to all of our colleagues, I would like to express my 
appreciation to my colleagues on the Committee on Rules who, every 
night, have been ready and prepared to put together this very important 
legislation in support of it in a bipartisan way. I want to thank the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Frost) and those members of the minority as 
well.
  I am very privileged to represent California; and we have all 
appropriately stood here to focus on New York, Pennsylvania, and the 
Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Mr. Speaker, every single one of 
those airplanes that took off from Boston, Newark, Dulles, were headed 
to my State of California.

                              {time}  1015

  I would like to simply express for a moment my heartfelt condolences 
to the families and the loved ones of those people all the way on the 
other side of the country who have been horribly impacted by this 
tragedy. The sense of resolve that we have to deal with this is 
overwhelming, and our great President put it perfectly when he said, 
``Nothing will diminish the spirit of our country.''
  Mr. OBEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Weiner), who has been on the scene in New 
York and who gave one of the most moving statements in caucus yesterday 
that I have heard in the years that I have been in this institution.
  Mr. WEINER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Wisconsin for his 
remarks.
  In my district in Rockaway, in St. Frances DeSales, over 30 families 
of firefighters are praying today that their loved ones will be 
returned home. In their prayers, they might not be saying the name of 
the gentleman from Florida (Chairman Young), but on their behalf I want 
to offer my thanks for the great work that the chairman has done on 
behalf of all of those families.
  And on behalf of the literally hundreds of men and women who are on 
the bucket brigade by hand removing what is estimated to be 500,000 
tons of debris trying to find survivors, on behalf of those people and 
others, I thank the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey) for how 
disciplined he has been and we have all been in trying to solve this 
problem quickly.
  On behalf of all of the families of those who have been lost, I 
express my great thanks to all the Members of this body. Their words 
are indeed comforting to them.
  But let us not misunderstand. This was not a successful attack on our 
country. Our financial services industry is going to be rebuilt 
stronger than ever. The physical structures in New York City are going 
to rise up. Our families are going to rise up.
  On behalf of our entire country, I say to the terrorists, they have 
not been successful, and today demonstrates that.
  Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. OBEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished 
gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Meek).
  Mrs. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding 
time to me.
  To my illustrious colleagues on the Committee on Appropriations, I 
come to this well today to thank them for having shown the highest 
valor that an Appropriations Committee could do. That is what it is all 
about to be a Member of Congress. They have risen to their highest 
glory today, because they have shown that through their wiles they have 
been able to bring to the hurt and harm to people in this country the 
resources of the United States government. That is what we should be 
about, to be able to act quickly and resolutely to what our problems 
are. I want to thank the Members for it.
  I was around during World War II. I have been a member of the 
Committee on Appropriations. I know what military preparedness is all 
about. So do not worry about it, we are doing the right thing. Our 
young President is doing the right thing. We have to stand behind him. 
We have to unify, as Americans always do.
  I am thankful to be here, having spanned all that time, to come back 
today to thank God for America.
  Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to my colleague, 
the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Shaw).
  Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding time to me. 
I want to compliment the gentleman from Florida (Chairman Young) and 
the entire Committee on Appropriations and, of course, the ranking 
member, the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey), for bringing us 
together and bringing us together so quickly, which is very difficult, 
and for giving the President the discretion that he desperately needs 
in order to really be the true leader.
  I think it is also wonderful to note all across this country how we 
all are gathering and surrounding the President and recognizing the 
good work that is going to be necessary in order to rebuild and to 
retaliate.
  There is no way that anybody on the face of this Earth can get away 
with what has happened, the tragedy that we have had just across the 
Potomac in Virginia, and the awful tragedy that we had in New York, 
and, of course, that plane full of heroes that crashed in Pennsylvania.
  Sometimes it takes a tragedy like this to bring out the best in us, 
but I think the best in us has come out across all across this country.
  I support this legislation, and urge a unanimous vote from this House 
of Representatives.
  Mr. OBEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished 
gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar), the ranking member of the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and one of the House's 
resident experts on aviation safety.
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to 
me and for those kind words. Let me return the compliment to the leader 
on our side whose persistence, hard work, and enormous energy have 
carried the day for us. I thank the chairman for his leadership, the 
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Young).
  Amidst the plethora of concerns addressed in this legislative 
package, I want to signal out the first line of attack in this 
terrorist incident; that is

[[Page 17099]]

the Nation's airlines. The current conditions in the airlines sector 
could lead to a complete financial liquidation of the airline industry 
unless we address their immediate financial needs. Within 3 months, all 
of the carriers will completely run out of cash and be completely 
liquidated. They are losing cash on an average of $60 million a day per 
carrier.
  The financial markets are closed and the airlines cannot get access 
to their respective lines of credit. Insurance has doubled. Many 
insurance companies are even considering cutting off insurance, and 
financial institutions have put all airlines on credit watch. Their 
cargo and mail is embargoed, their source of income is gone.
  Remember, if Members expect ever to get home, they need an airline to 
get there.
  Mr. OBEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished 
gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), a key member of the Committee.
  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend, the gentleman from 
Wisconsin, for yielding to me.
  I salute the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Young), the chairman of our 
committee, and the gentleman from Illinois (Speaker Hastert), the 
gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Gephardt), Senate Majority Leader Daschle 
and Senate Republican Leader Lott, and my own ranking member, the 
gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey).
  From the outside, democracies sometimes appear weak, to those who do 
not understand the strength of a free people in discourse and 
disagreement. Sometimes democracies appear unwilling to act decisively 
in response to a threat. But those who perceive weakness where there is 
incredible strength make an awful, terrible mistake.
  Today, within literally hours of a disastrous act being perpetrated 
against the United States, its people, and indeed, the very concept of 
freedom and liberty here and around the world, see how quickly 
democracies will act.
  We will pass this as a first step, as a first commitment to confront 
tyranny, terrorism, and despots.
  Mr. Speaker, this emergency supplemental appropriations bill is a 
major step in the United States' initial response to the horrific 
terrorist attacks on Tuesday. I know that my colleagues will strongly 
support it.
  Specifically, this bill is a rapid response to our Nation's urgent 
needs. It will make $40 billion available to Federal, State and local 
authorities to respond to these contemptible crimes.
  It will allow us to increase transit security, repair public 
facilities and transit systems, fight international terrorism and 
strengthen our national security. And it will provide emergency relief 
to victims and their families.
  However, make no mistake: This appropriations package is about more 
than money.
  It is a clear demonstration of our Nation's resolve and unity in 
funding rescue operations and a military response to Tuesday's 
treacherous acts of war. Those acts will not go unanswered.
  In the face of this challenge to our Nation and freedom-loving people 
throughout the world, the United States Congress speaks with one voice. 
Yes, we are Democrats and Republicans. But first we are Americans.
  Congress has an important role to play, along with the President, in 
responding to this act of war.
  For example, we have ensured that there will be approprirate 
oversight of the expenditure of these funds. As the elected 
representatives of the American people, we will work closely with the 
President on a daily basis in the coming weeks and months to ensure 
that the proper resources are provided and necessary actions taken.
  Finally, let me say to my colleagues that I had the opportunity on 
Wednesday to tour the devastation at the Pentagon. Like all of us here, 
my prayers and heartfelt sympathies go out to all those who died or 
were injured in Tuesday's attacks, and their loved ones.
  Many of my own constituents are among the victims at the Pentagon.
  But even as I toured the carnage, I could not help but be buoyed by 
the courage and determination of the fire fighters and rescue workers 
and military personnel I met there.
  Their spirit, and the spirit of democracy and freedom, can never be 
extinguished by the unmitigated evil that has been directed at innocent 
men, women, and children. Their spirit and their courage lights the way 
for us all, as we respond to these cowardly crimes.
  I urge my colleagues to support this vitally important legislation.
  Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman 
from New York (Mr. Fossella), another distinguished member of the New 
York delegation.
  Mr. FOSSELLA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman very much for 
yielding time to me, and I rise in support of this needed bill.
  My wife called me this morning and said a neighbor came over and gave 
her a list of eight people who are missing from Staten Island. There 
are ten people at least within five blocks of my house who are missing 
from this explosion. That attack on Tuesday was an attack against the 
free people of this world. It was not just the folks in Staten Island, 
New York City, America, but all the free people in this great world.
  However, I have been in that wreckage for the last couple of days. 
There is not a greater spirit, there is not more resolve, there is not 
a greater determination than to turn this horrific tragedy into the 
United States' finest hour. Indeed, that is happening.
  So, if anything, for those martyrs who died on Tuesday, for those 
victims of this heinous act, let the United States stand strong once 
again and show that we would not be deterred by these terrorists.
  I commend this Congress and its leadership, as well as the President 
of the United States, for taking a strong stand.
  Mr. OBEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Crowley), who has at this moment, as I 
understand it, a member of his own family missing in New York.
  Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Florida 
(Chairman Young) for all his work and the ranking member, the gentleman 
from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey). I want to thank the President for unifying 
this country. I want to thank the New York delegation for the 
bipartisan effort that has been taking place in making sure this bill 
came about.
  It makes me proud of the support this Congress has provided, support 
that has crossed partisan lines to assist New York over the last few 
days. Right now, my city and our entire Nation are reeling. We are 
digging out, optimistically searching for survivors, and regrettably, 
also finding dead.
  We have basic infrastructure problems that need to be addressed 
immediately, and this bill is the downpayment to fund these operations.
  Furthermore, this legislation allows our Nation to take the first 
steps toward preparing our Nation to proactively battle terrorism 
against our citizens here and abroad.
  This bill sends a signal to the people of New York, Virginia, 
Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Connecticut, and Americans everywhere 
that their government will not let them go it alone in times of crisis 
or emergency; that we are in fact one Nation, under God, indivisible.
  I shed tears on this floor yesterday, and hope it is the last time I 
do. Those were tears not of fear but of pride in our Nation and in my 
city and of all Americans.
  Mr. OBEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 40 seconds to the gentleman from 
Virginia (Mr. Moran), who represents the area devastated by the act on 
the Pentagon.
  Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, as of yesterday, over at the 
Pentagon there were 196 people still missing from the Army, the Navy, 
and a number of contractors.
  In addition to the 64 airline passengers, there were 21 from the 
Army, 47 Army civilians, six contractors, 33 Navy military personnel, 
10 Navy civilians, and 5 Navy contractors who lost their lives at the 
Pentagon.
  But, Mr. Speaker, our people have responded in a way that makes us so 
proud to be Americans. The Arlington County Fire Department and Police 
Department were the first on the scene. They have coordinated. They 
have no idea how much to ask for reimbursement because it did not 
matter to them. They have not kept any record. Volunteers poured in so 
fast it would have been impossible. They did not care about checking 
in, they cared about doing their job. They did their job.

[[Page 17100]]

  I am so immensely proud of Arlington County, of Alexandria, of 
Fairfax County, of this entire Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. The 
going got tough, the tough got going. They saved the people that could 
be saved. They have done a wonderful job.

                              {time}  1030

  Mr. OBEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the distinguished 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Serrano), a key member of the Committee on 
Appropriations.
  Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am happy to yield the gentleman 
from New York an additional 30 seconds.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Thornberry). The gentleman from New York 
(Mr. Serrano) is recognized for 1 minute.
  Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from 
Wisconsin (Mr. Obey) and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Young) for 
something they said that is important to us New Yorkers, that the 
attack may have been physically on New York, but the fact is it was on 
the whole country, and New York feels so grateful for the fact that 
this Congress has seen to our needs and then what we are doing here 
today.
  We New Yorkers pride ourselves in being a tough people, resilient 
people. We are hurting right now. We, in some ways, have been brought 
to our knees, but we will bounce back. The Big Apple will come back 
because we are a tough people and resilient people; but more than 
anything else, Mr. Speaker, we are a grateful people; and today my city 
is grateful for the fact that in spite of all the rubble and all the 
pain, this Congress has seen fit to single us out for that special 
help.
  So let the message be heard everywhere that, yes, the target was the 
Twin Towers and the target was New York City in that particular 
instance, and the Pentagon and Pennsylvania; but it was an attack on 
the United States of America; and no one, no one will bring us totally 
down, not in New York, not in Washington, not in Pennsylvania, not 
throughout this country.
  Mr. OBEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the 
gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Slaughter).
  Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise on behalf of the people of upstate 
New York to say that we are deeply grateful for this action this 
morning in my district where people are waiting 8 hours in line to 
donate blood. We bleed too for our sister city.
  Mr. OBEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the final 30 seconds.
  Mr. Speaker, this is a shattering experience of unprecedented 
proportion; but I say to every American, we have endured worse. We have 
gone through two world wars, Vietnam, Korea, the burning of the Capitol 
itself in 1812, the Civil War. I think we need to remember the words of 
President Lyndon Johnson when he stood at that podium and addressed 
this Congress on civil rights after the death of Martin Luther King: we 
shall overcome.
  Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of the 
time.
  Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield to me for a 
question?
  Mr. YOUNG of Florida. I yield to the gentleman from Ohio.
  Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, we have heard a lot about the great American 
experience. They were all heroes, but I want to mention the Centers for 
Disease Control. They are unsung heroes because they are protecting us 
from bioterrorism, chemical, biological weapons. We are to have a 
briefing in the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and 
Education at 1 o'clock on that subject.
  My question is will the funding here be available to deal with 
bioterrorism as well as other forms of terrorist attacks?
  Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I would say to the gentleman that 
the answer is yes, the President has tremendous leeway in how to use 
these funds for the immediate response to whatever the attack was or 
will be. The Congress will play a very important constitutional role in 
whatever that effort might be; but yes, the President does have the 
ability to use those funds for that purpose.
  Mr. Speaker, once again, I would like to express on behalf of the 
House, as we close this debate, sympathy for the families of those who 
lost their lives in the airplanes in New York City, in Pennsylvania, at 
the Department of Defense and to let them know that this Congress is 
going to be supportive in any way that we can.
  Mr. Speaker, I do not have adequate words to express the pride that I 
feel today for the Members of this Congress. We have a lot of political 
differences which have been obvious in the past, which will be obvious 
in the future; but in this time of triumph those differences have been 
set aside to be addressed at another time.
  Today, we unify our Nation. We unify our government and we say to the 
world, Americans will not live in fear. We will not allow attacks upon 
our people or our places. Despite the political differences that we may 
have from time to time, and there are many, as there should be, we will 
never be divided as a Nation, as a people, as a government, as a 
Congress on the issue of defending our people, defending our Nation. 
And if one American is attacked, if a group of Americans are attacked, 
if one of our places is attacked, then as far as I am concerned, our 
entire Nation has been attacked; and we are not going to stand for it.
  We will do whatever it takes to support our President, who is strong 
in his determination to lead this effort, to support our President as 
we move towards victory over those who would perpetrate terrorism and 
bring fear and tyranny to the world; and we are just not going to allow 
that to happen.
  I urge the passage of the bill.
  Mr. SIMMONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 
2888, an immediate congressional response to one of the most despicable 
acts of terrorism this country has seen. Tuesday's attacks were just 
the beginning of a new and lethal terror campaign against the United 
States. Thousands of mothers and fathers; husband and wives; sons and 
daughters of all faiths and diverse nationalities: murdered. No 
warning, no explanation, no cause. On September 11, Americans from 
every walk of life were taken from us by an act of terrorism. An act of 
murder. An act of war.
  This tragic event dramatically changed the lives of many close to 
home. On Tuesday night my wife spent the evening watching television 
with neighbors in my hometown of Stonington, Connecticut. Their young 
grandson, Josh Piver, my daughter's friend and classmate, had a new and 
exciting job on the 105th floor of the World Trade Center. He was 
energetic and intelligent, living the American dream in the ``Big 
Apple.'' He is missing, like many others from eastern Connecticut. I 
found that the most important thing I could do as a Member of Congress 
was to keep working. To get to work on Wednesday and demonstrate that 
the people's work will go on, and that no matter how badly we hurt, our 
democracy remains as strong as ever.
  And it is here on the House floor where the work--vitally important 
work--continues. Today we are taking the first step toward providing 
the President the necessary tools to rebuild what has been destroyed, 
restore what has been taken and react to those who have inflicted such 
unspeakable damage on our great nation. Republicans and Democrats have 
stood side-by-side in an unprecedented manner to craft a bill that will 
provide $40 billion in emergency spending for the recovery from the 
recent terrorist attacks and for providing the long overdue resources 
for the investigation that will enhance our national security.
  Specifically, the bill appropriates $10 billion immediately to the 
Emergency Response Fund for federal activities such as preparedness for 
mitigating and responding to the attacks; support to counter, 
investigate and prosecute domestic and international terrorism, 
increased transportation security; repairing public facilities and 
transportation systems damaged by the explosions; and supporting 
national security.
  Additionally, the bill makes another $10 billion available 15 days 
after a Presidential disaster relief plan is submitted and an 
additional $20 billion will be made available through the normal 
appropriations process. These are the first installments of a long-term 
recovery plan for the disaster areas.
  I want to thank the Speaker of the House, the Minority Leader, and 
all the members of the Appropriations Committee for coming together 
during these trying times and putting forth a bill that will 
immediately respond to this

[[Page 17101]]

week's terrible events. These are times that try our souls. But America 
is strong and flexible. We will survive this latest test of our 
freedom, our values and our democracy. I am proud to vote for this 
much-needed relief and proud to be a Member of this legislative body.
  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, there could be no spending bill more 
important than the one before us today. We need the full resources of 
our government behind the challenges that lie ahead. And this has to be 
a multi-front effort. We need to be relentlessly pursuing and punishing 
those who committed these crimes. As the Representative of New Jersey's 
13th Congressional District--right across the river from Manhattan--I 
can tell you my constituents are going through enormous hardships.
  About 50 percent of the people who worked in the Twin Towers live in 
New Jersey. Families who have just lost their sole breadwinner may now 
face losing their homes; people who survived, who worked anywhere in 
lower Manhattan, face uncertain employment futures and what for some 
will be staggering medical bills--all this in addition to the emotional 
and psychological trauma. Lives have been turned upside down.
  It is critical that while we fight our enemies abroad, we make sure 
that all the needed funding and attention also goes to the families in 
crisis here at home.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I am humbled today by the outpouring of 
support from across our Nation for the people of my home, New York 
City. I want to thank Mayor Giuliani and Governor Pataki. Their strong 
leadership has made getting through this much, much easier. Here on the 
floor today, the Congress is doing its part. The leadership of the 
Congress, in a non-partisan way has come together to respond swiftly 
and powerfully. Also, I want to thank the President as well for his 
quick, strong support for this bill.
  The bill, though simple, is very powerful. The bill provides $20 
billion to begin the rebuilding of New York. It also provides $20 
billion to ramp up our efforts at counter-terrorism. All of this is so 
obviously needed. I want again to recognize the incredible heroism of 
the emergency response personnel who have put themselves in harm's way 
without regard for their own safety. You are all amazing and I am truly 
astounded. I also want to say to the families of the victims of this 
tragedy, that I and every other American grieve with you. We cannot 
express in words what is in hearts. You are in our prayers and 
thoughts. These acts of terrorism against New York and the Pentagon 
will not deter us though. We will rebuild our city. We will rebuild the 
Pentagon. We will go on. We stand united. We are Americans.
  Ms. KILPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, America is a diverse nation. Despite our 
diversity, America, in times of crisis, pulls together. Nowhere is that 
fact made manifest than in this chamber today. Republicans, Democrats 
and Independents all gather here today to begin the first steps in 
pulling our nation out from under the rubble that befell New York and 
the Pentagon on Tuesday, September 11.
  I want to commend our leadership for working cooperatively and 
effectively with the Speaker of the House and the leaders on the other 
side of the Capitol. The supplemental appropriations bill, H.R. 2888, 
that we consider today is a down payment for responding to the attack 
we experienced on American soil three days ago.
  The money contained in this bill will help restore downtown Manhattan 
to greater glory and reconstruct the largest office building in the 
world, the Pentagon. But the money will be used for more than just the 
rebuilding effort; it will be used to strengthen and make more secure 
the National Airspace System. Americans must feel safe in the nation's 
skies if the business of this country is going to proceed unimpeded. 
This bill will add more capability to the intelligence functions of our 
government, so we can be more vigilant of those who pose a threat to 
the safety and security of our nation. More fundamentally, this bill 
will assist us in our pursuit of those countries, organizations or 
individual enemies that would seek to destroy our country, our 
countrymen, our values, our democratic form of government and, in 
short, our very soul as a nation.
  I congratulate the leadership of this House and leadership of the 
Appropriations Committee for acting swiftly in bringing this money bill 
for action today, and I thank them for permitting me to express my 
support for this bill.
  Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I will be very brief this morning, because a 
lot of people have already spoken very eloquently about the barbaric 
attack of September 11th--about how it has changed America and the 
world, and about the war against terror it has started.
  Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, untold thousands of innocent people were 
murdered in a cowardly, heinous assault on America and the civilized 
world. Since then, all of us in the Congress--regardless of ideology or 
party affiliation--have repeatedly pledged to work together in a 
bipartisan manner to respond.
  Today, the United States Congress begins making good on that pledge. 
This $40 billion bill makes a down payment on the campaign to bring aid 
to our suffering countrymen, to punish the terrorists who have declared 
war on America, and to ensure no one ever dares attacks us like this 
again. It provides resources for disaster assistance and recovery, and 
for anti-terrorism initiatives. It will help the people of New York and 
officials at the Pentagon as they begin the long, important process of 
rebuilding. And it will provide the President with the resources he 
needs to begin waging this war on terrorism.
  Mr. Speaker, the war against terror will not be won overnight. It 
will take a long-term, serious, and sustained campaign from the 
Congress, the American people, and the President. We understand that, 
and we are committed to it. We stand united, shoulder to shoulder, 
against the perpetrators of the horror of September 11th--and against 
anyone who might ever contemplate trying something like it again. Make 
no mistake, these terrorists--and all of their ilk--will understand 
very clearly that when America is attacked, we respond with one voice, 
and with the full force of the United States of America.
  Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this supplemental 
appropriations bill. This assistance will save lives and lay the 
foundation for the long, arduous process of rebuilding New York City 
and the surrounding communities affected by Tuesday's cowardly 
terrorist attack.
  Make no mistake about it: this legislation is a down payment for what 
we'll need to put lives back together and restore a shining city that 
is a beacon of freedom to people all over the world.
  I'm told that after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Congress passed 10 
separate appropriations bills, so our work won't be done tonight--not 
by a long shot. But in passing this legislation, we'll be sending an 
important message that the American people stand together and that 
their government will do everything it takes to help in this hour of 
need.
  We are all part of an extraordinary American family--we must seize 
the opportunity and take care of each other in this time of crisis.
  Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of this 
legislation, which will provide our nation with the resources it needs 
to continue our recovery efforts, to rebuild our damaged structures, 
and to seek out and punish those who have committed these heinous acts 
of violence upon our nation.
  Years ago, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt said, ``We, and all 
others who believe in freedom as deeply as we do, would rather die on 
our feet than live on our knees.'' The enemies of freedom who attacked 
our nation and our people on Tuesday used a weapon that represents the 
newest in warfare--terror. They win when they bring us to our knees and 
we cower in fear. They derive their power from making us change our way 
of life and making us spend our days looking over our shoulder.
  We will not let them win. We will not give them that satisfaction. 
Today's legislation ensures this will be true. The funding we 
appropriate today is but a down payment. We will not rest until we have 
assisted all Americans who bore the brunt of Tuesday's terror. We will 
not rest until we have rebuilt the City of New York, and rebuilt the 
nation's defense fortress at the Pentagon, and restored the pastoral 
beauty of Western Pennsylvania. And, in rebuilding these structures, we 
will strengthen the will of the American people.
  Finally, Mr. Speaker--and let this be absolutely clear to those who 
seek to harm the United States, its people, and its allies--we will not 
rest until we have sought out, found, and vanquished those who 
perpetrate this evil. We will remain standing tall and proud in our 
eventual victory.
  I am proud to stand with my colleagues and my President to support 
this important legislation, and I urge a resounding and unanimous vote.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support for this $40 
billion Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for disaster 
assistance, for anti-terrorism initiatives, for assistance in the 
recovery from the horrific tragedy that occurred on Tuesday, September 
11, 2001, another day of infamy.
  We have all experienced the distressing scenes of Tuesday's 
disasters. We have shared in the shock and sadness felt by our entire 
Nation. It is now up to us in Congress to provide swift, positive 
support to our President in order to make certain that the events of 
Tuesday will never happen again.
  The approval of this supplemental bill will provide $40 billion for 
five specific needs: The

[[Page 17102]]

Federal, State and local response; terrorism investigations and 
intelligence operations; transit security; public building and 
transportation repair; and national security. This funding will be made 
available through the end of fiscal year 2001 and into fiscal year 
2002; until fully expended.
  Approving this measure is the first and an important step toward 
ending the evil of terrorism, an evil which exists solely for the 
purpose of disseminating terror and ending freedom throughout the 
world.
  I urge all of my colleagues to support this important emergency 
funding initiative.
  Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2888, a 
$40 billion emergency supplemental appropriations bill that will 
provide the administration with the critical tools to defend and 
protect our great Nation and support efforts to recover from this 
week's egregious terrorist attacks.
  As the dust begins to settle in New York, Pennsylvania, and right 
here in our Nation's Capital, my thoughts and prayers are with the 
victims' families and those who are still waiting to hear from missing 
loved ones. On this day of national prayer and reflection, we come 
together as Americans in a great showing of unity that transcends the 
bounds of religious, race, or ethnic origin. The surface of America is 
not found in her structures; it is rooted in the spirit of her people.
  This measure immediately provides the President with $10 billion to 
fund the costs of Federal, state, and local preparedness efforts to 
prevent and respond to terrorist attacks. Additionally, this 
legislation enhances our law enforcement resources to prosecute 
international and domestic terrorism and air travel security. At least 
half of the funding will be dedicated to helping those affected recover 
from this tragedy.
  This emergency expenditure is an unequivocal display of this 
Congress' support for the President's efforts to fortify our Nation. 
Let this action show, the leaders of this land speak with one voice in 
our resolve to restore peace in America and bring justice to the 
innocent victims.
  Today, the statue of Freedom stands watch atop the Capitol dome and 
in the shadow of the devastation in Manhattan, Lady Liberty continues 
to hold her torch high, reminding us that freedom does not come without 
cost. Time and time again, the strength and unity of Americans has been 
tested; the rubble of September 11 will sprout a new era of brotherhood 
in these United States.
  Mr. HASTERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this supplemental 
spending measure and I urge all of my colleagues to support it as well.
  When a poet said that these are the times that try men's souls, he 
could have been describing the scene before us today.
  We have thousands of people lost, thousands more injured, and symbols 
of the strength and vitality of our democracy--the World Trade Center 
and the Pentagon--destroyed and damaged.
  We have a sworn enemy that dares not to confront us in the open.
  This enemy operates in the shadows, hates with an unnatural passion, 
and practices political fanaticism that glorifies violent death and 
condemns innocent life.
  We must defeat this enemy once and for all.
  The Constitution of the United States of America, the document that 
protects the freedoms of all Americans, gives us in the Congress 
certain responsibilities.
  Article I Section 8 of the Constitution says that the Congress shall 
have power to provide for the common defense, and the power to declare 
war.
  With this supplemental spending measure, the Congress is exercising 
its responsibility to provide for the common defense.
  In a later resolution, we will address the issue of authorizing the 
President to use force.
  The money we provide today--$40 billion--could very well be the down 
payment for our ultimate investment in this great endeavor.
  And what a great endeavor it is.
  To make America and the world a safer place by defeating once and for 
all these sworn enemies of common decency and the American way of life.
  No payment that we make today can really make up for the loss of life 
that occurred on September 11, 2001.
  Those poor innocent souls, those husbands and wives, and brothers and 
sisters, parents and children will not be coming back from the 
treachery of our enemy.
  But we can start the process of rebuilding, of healing, and of 
preparing our nation for this greatest cause of this newest century.
  We must eliminate the scourge of terrorism.
  The American people have faced great challenges in the past.
  On July 4, 1776, our founding fathers decided to challenge tyranny. 
After we won our freedom, we constructed the world's greatest 
Constitution and created a stable and thriving democracy.
  We faced dark days when our nation was torn asunder in a civil war. 
We came together after that War Between the States to become the savior 
of Europe in the First World War.
  The Empire of Japan deliberately attacked us on December 7, 1941, and 
we emerged as the greatest defender of the free world.
  We faced down communism in a painful cold war and emerged as the 
world's sole superpower.
  And now, after this greatest of American tragedies, we face the 
greatest of challenges.
  I am comforted by the work of the President and his team. They are 
assembling a worldwide coalition of civilized nations. These nations 
look to the United States for leadership and want to join us on this 
great crusade.
  We will provide that leadership.
  We have a job to do in this Congress, and this supplemental spending 
bill is an important part of that responsibility.
  I ask my colleagues to join with me in supporting our President, in 
supporting our Constitution, and in supporting the American way of 
life.
  Vote for the supplemental spending bill and do your job as a 
representative of the American people.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 
2888, a supplemental appropriation designated to assist our nation's 
collective response to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack against 
the people of America.
  Mr. Speaker, this supplemental appropriation is quite different from 
any other supplemental appropriation that members of this body will 
ever consider. Recovery operations are well underway at the Pentagon 
and the World Trade Center sites and this process is expensive.
  I am pleased that the House and the Senate have come together again, 
in a bipartisan fashion, to provide the necessary funds to pay for the 
equipment and man hours deployed by federal and state agencies in order 
to start the healing process. Additionally the legislation includes the 
instructions of consultation with and review by the U.S. Congress.
  As we debate this supplemental appropriation, thousands of rescue 
workers have been deployed to remove debris, investigate crimes, and 
most importantly provide medical and other forms of assistance for the 
human suffering that will remain etched in our minds for days to come.
  Mr. Speaker this supplemental provides $40 billion immediately to 
help our country reinforce the confidence in its great democracy which 
has weathered other storms. Although it may take some time, we, as a 
nation, will move beyond this point with the help of God.
  No price is too great to pay, Mr. Speaker, when it comes to doing 
what is necessary to let the cowards of this world know that America 
will not be shaken spiritually or financially by individuals who have 
permitted hate to control their hearts and minds.
  I want to point out, Mr. Speaker, that the children of this nation 
have been greatly impacted by those cowardly acts that took place in 
New York City and at the Pentagon. Many parents will never return home 
to their children and as a result, we in this body must make sure that 
we provide the necessary support to help our children adjust.
  I hope that the President will use his discretion to spend the funds 
provided under H.R. 2888 in a manner that places a high priority on 
children and their special needs during these difficult times.
  Also, the funds that we provide through this supplemental 
appropriations will be provided to the state and affected local 
governments in New York, Virginia and Pennsylvania to remove debris, to 
conduct emergency services related to the disaster, and to replace 
public facilities damaged by the explosions and fires. Also, these 
funds will be used to investigate, or prosecute domestic or 
international terrorism.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. All time for debate has expired.
  Pursuant to the order of the House of today, the bill is considered 
read for amendment and the previous question is ordered.
  The question is on the engrossment and third reading of the bill.
  The bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, and was 
read the third time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on passage of the bill.
  Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, the yeas and nays are ordered.
  The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--yeas 422, 
nays 0, not voting 9, as follows:

[[Page 17103]]



                             [Roll No. 341]

                               YEAS--422

     Abercrombie
     Ackerman
     Aderholt
     Akin
     Allen
     Andrews
     Armey
     Baca
     Bachus
     Baird
     Baker
     Baldacci
     Baldwin
     Barcia
     Barr
     Barrett
     Bartlett
     Barton
     Bass
     Becerra
     Bentsen
     Bereuter
     Berkley
     Berman
     Berry
     Biggert
     Bilirakis
     Bishop
     Blagojevich
     Blumenauer
     Blunt
     Boehlert
     Boehner
     Bonilla
     Bonior
     Bono
     Borski
     Boswell
     Boucher
     Boyd
     Brady (PA)
     Brady (TX)
     Brown (FL)
     Brown (OH)
     Brown (SC)
     Bryant
     Burr
     Burton
     Buyer
     Callahan
     Calvert
     Camp
     Cannon
     Cantor
     Capito
     Capps
     Capuano
     Cardin
     Carson (IN)
     Carson (OK)
     Castle
     Chabot
     Chambliss
     Clay
     Clayton
     Clement
     Clyburn
     Coble
     Collins
     Combest
     Condit
     Cooksey
     Costello
     Cox
     Coyne
     Cramer
     Crane
     Crenshaw
     Crowley
     Cubin
     Culberson
     Cummings
     Cunningham
     Davis (CA)
     Davis (FL)
     Davis, Jo Ann
     Davis, Tom
     Deal
     DeFazio
     DeGette
     Delahunt
     DeLauro
     DeLay
     DeMint
     Deutsch
     Diaz-Balart
     Dicks
     Dingell
     Doggett
     Dooley
     Doolittle
     Doyle
     Dreier
     Duncan
     Dunn
     Edwards
     Ehlers
     Ehrlich
     Emerson
     Engel
     English
     Eshoo
     Etheridge
     Evans
     Everett
     Fattah
     Ferguson
     Filner
     Flake
     Fletcher
     Foley
     Forbes
     Ford
     Fossella
     Frank
     Frelinghuysen
     Frost
     Gallegly
     Ganske
     Gekas
     Gephardt
     Gibbons
     Gilchrest
     Gillmor
     Gilman
     Gonzalez
     Goode
     Goodlatte
     Gordon
     Goss
     Graham
     Granger
     Graves
     Green (TX)
     Green (WI)
     Greenwood
     Grucci
     Gutierrez
     Gutknecht
     Hall (OH)
     Hall (TX)
     Hansen
     Harman
     Hart
     Hastert
     Hastings (FL)
     Hastings (WA)
     Hayes
     Hayworth
     Hefley
     Herger
     Hill
     Hilleary
     Hilliard
     Hinchey
     Hinojosa
     Hobson
     Hoeffel
     Hoekstra
     Holden
     Holt
     Honda
     Hooley
     Horn
     Hostettler
     Houghton
     Hoyer
     Hulshof
     Hunter
     Hyde
     Inslee
     Isakson
     Israel
     Issa
     Istook
     Jackson (IL)
     Jackson-Lee (TX)
     Jefferson
     Jenkins
     John
     Johnson (CT)
     Johnson (IL)
     Johnson, E. B.
     Johnson, Sam
     Jones (NC)
     Jones (OH)
     Kanjorski
     Kaptur
     Keller
     Kelly
     Kennedy (MN)
     Kennedy (RI)
     Kerns
     Kildee
     Kind (WI)
     King (NY)
     Kingston
     Kirk
     Kleczka
     Knollenberg
     Kolbe
     Kucinich
     LaFalce
     LaHood
     Lampson
     Langevin
     Lantos
     Largent
     Larsen (WA)
     Larson (CT)
     Latham
     LaTourette
     Leach
     Lee
     Levin
     Lewis (CA)
     Lewis (GA)
     Lewis (KY)
     LoBiondo
     Lofgren
     Lowey
     Lucas (KY)
     Lucas (OK)
     Luther
     Maloney (CT)
     Maloney (NY)
     Manzullo
     Markey
     Mascara
     Matheson
     Matsui
     McCarthy (MO)
     McCarthy (NY)
     McCollum
     McCrery
     McDermott
     McGovern
     McHugh
     McInnis
     McIntyre
     McKeon
     McKinney
     McNulty
     Meehan
     Meek (FL)
     Meeks (NY)
     Menendez
     Mica
     Millender-McDonald
     Miller (FL)
     Miller, Gary
     Miller, George
     Mink
     Mollohan
     Moore
     Moran (KS)
     Moran (VA)
     Morella
     Murtha
     Myrick
     Nadler
     Napolitano
     Neal
     Nethercutt
     Ney
     Northup
     Norwood
     Nussle
     Oberstar
     Obey
     Olver
     Ortiz
     Osborne
     Ose
     Otter
     Owens
     Oxley
     Pallone
     Pascrell
     Pastor
     Paul
     Payne
     Pelosi
     Pence
     Peterson (MN)
     Peterson (PA)
     Petri
     Phelps
     Pickering
     Pitts
     Platts
     Pombo
     Pomeroy
     Portman
     Price (NC)
     Pryce (OH)
     Putnam
     Quinn
     Radanovich
     Rahall
     Ramstad
     Rangel
     Regula
     Rehberg
     Reyes
     Reynolds
     Riley
     Rivers
     Rodriguez
     Roemer
     Rogers (KY)
     Rogers (MI)
     Rohrabacher
     Ros-Lehtinen
     Ross
     Rothman
     Roukema
     Roybal-Allard
     Royce
     Rush
     Ryan (WI)
     Ryun (KS)
     Sabo
     Sanchez
     Sanders
     Sandlin
     Sawyer
     Schaffer
     Schakowsky
     Schiff
     Schrock
     Scott
     Sensenbrenner
     Serrano
     Sessions
     Shadegg
     Shaw
     Shays
     Sherman
     Sherwood
     Shimkus
     Shows
     Shuster
     Simmons
     Simpson
     Skeen
     Skelton
     Slaughter
     Smith (MI)
     Smith (NJ)
     Smith (TX)
     Smith (WA)
     Snyder
     Solis
     Souder
     Spratt
     Stark
     Stearns
     Stenholm
     Strickland
     Stump
     Stupak
     Sununu
     Sweeney
     Tancredo
     Tanner
     Tauscher
     Tauzin
     Taylor (MS)
     Taylor (NC)
     Terry
     Thomas
     Thompson (CA)
     Thompson (MS)
     Thornberry
     Thune
     Thurman
     Tiahrt
     Tiberi
     Tierney
     Toomey
     Towns
     Traficant
     Turner
     Udall (CO)
     Udall (NM)
     Upton
     Velazquez
     Visclosky
     Vitter
     Walden
     Walsh
     Wamp
     Waters
     Watkins (OK)
     Watson (CA)
     Watt (NC)
     Watts (OK)
     Waxman
     Weiner
     Weldon (FL)
     Weller
     Wexler
     Whitfield
     Wicker
     Wilson
     Wolf
     Woolsey
     Wu
     Wynn
     Young (AK)
     Young (FL)

                             NOT VOTING--9

     Ballenger
     Conyers
     Davis (IL)
     Farr
     Kilpatrick
     Linder
     Lipinski
     Saxton
     Weldon (PA)

                              {time}  1045


                Announcement By the Speaker Pro Tempore

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Cooksey) (during the vote). The Chair 
has an announcement.
  The Chair announces that the electronic system is temporarily 
inoperative. The vote will be held open until all Members are recorded. 
The Clerk will retrieve the names of all Members already recorded 
electronically from the board. The Chair will then combine these votes 
that have been recorded electronically with the tally cards being 
signed by the Members. Together this will constitute a valid vote. 
Members are encouraged to confirm their vote by filling out a ballot 
card.
  The vote will proceed.

                              {time}  1101


                Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (during the vote). The Chair has a further 
announcement.
  The current vote will remain open until Members return from the 
memorial service in order to confirm their votes.

                              {time}  1412

  So the bill was passed.
  The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________