Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008

SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2008 -- (House of Representatives - June 19, 2008)

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. HOLT. Madam Speaker, I regret that the House is taking up a supplemental funding measure for the war in Iraq without tying that funding to a withdrawal requirement. I was in Iraq last month and had the chance to speak at length with General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker about the situation in that country. There is no disputing that our casualties are down, and that is due in no small part to General Petraeus's revised military approach to the conflict. But the purpose of the surge wasn't simply to reduce our casualties; it was to give the Iraqis time to resolve their political differences via dialogue, not car bombs. That has not happened, and there is no reason to believe it will happen. Indeed, the only thing Iraq's warring factions seem to agree on these days is that they oppose permanent U.S. bases in Iraq. This no-strings-attached funding measure will only make matters worse, which is why I cannot support it.

I am pleased to be able to support the new GI Bill. For the first time in over 60 years, our returning veterans will have a truly robust educational benefit waiting for them. We all know how successful the original GI Bill was and how much it contributed to fueling our country's economic and social progress it the decades after World War II. We need to make that kind of investment in our people once again. No one can dispute our veterans have earned it and no one can dispute the long term benefits our society will reap from implementing a new GI Bill. I look forward to seeing it become law.

This bill also provides a desperately needed 13-week extension of unemployment benefits for people who are struggling to find work in this tough economy. Since last year, the number of Americans seeking employment has swelled by 800,000 while the economy has lost 260,000 jobs.

In addition, the legislation blocks the implementation of dangerous Medicaid regulations that the Bush administration has issued which would cut $20 billion from Medicaid. I oppose these regulations and will continue to fight to protect the Medicaid program and the millions of Americans who rely on it for access to health care services.

Finally, the $400 million in funding for science included in the bill represents a downpayment in our continued effort to provide a robust investment for science, research and development, and innovation. By making a strong investment, we will support research that will help contribute to the Nation's long term economic growth.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source