Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2010

Floor Speech

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Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. I thank the chairman for yielding.

I rise today to voice my opposition to the blatant exploitation of our brave troops and the brazen process being undertaken here tonight. With this ongoing charade, the Democrat majority has chosen to drag out the consideration of this supplemental appropriations bill now 5 months lagging. They've chosen to bypass a markup by the Appropriations Committee. They've chosen to dictate by the few rather than legislate by the representative many. And worst of all, they're holding hostage vital funding for our troops as a vehicle for more spending, more bailouts, more encroachment by the Federal Government into our private lives.

A clean supplemental, Mr. Speaker, could have easily been disposed of through regular order months ago. Regrettably, the majority has waited until the very last minute, twisted the rules of the House, and put the Pentagon and our warfighters in dire straits. This abuse of Congress' national security responsibilities would be outrageous if it wasn't so sad. And for what? For what? Another bailout? more spending? political points? to curry special interest favors?

The American people want a fiscally responsible government that first and foremost provides for the safety and security of this great Nation, and the American people expect the Congress to meet that solemn responsibility while mindful it is their money, not ours.

Instead, let's just call this what it is. The Democrat majority has hijacked our national security for their perceived political security. This is not the governance the American people want nor deserve. We can do better.

And so I plead with my colleagues to restore regular order and return to the business at hand, which is providing for our warfighters and responsibly wielding the power of the purse.

I urge a defeat of all of these amendments and this bill.

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