Rep. Cole Votes for Legislation to Fund Troops, War on Terror

WASHINGTON – Congressman Tom Cole voted today for the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Hurricane Recovery (H.R. 4939) that will provide $94.5 billion for critical defense, military, and hurricane relief priorities. Congressman Tom Cole made the following statement last night on the House floor in support of the rule for H.R. 4939. A rule, which sets the terms of debate on the floor, must be passed before the actual piece of legislation is debatable.

"Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4939, the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Hurricane Recovery, 2006 is intended to fully fund our forces overseas and at home.

Mr. Speaker, at a time when our sons and daughters are deployed overseas in a wartime environment, this legislation provides critical funds that will be used to conduct ongoing operations in the Global War on Terror. Unlike other wars, this war is one where terrorists are having a critical impact, and one that requires the perpetual vigilance of not only our forces, but the American people. To our forces' credit, just last week, they were successful in killing Abu Mus'ab Al-Zarqawi, one of the critical players among the non-state terrorist actors. This success required professionalism, perseverance and tenacity -- qualities our military has in abundance.

It is worth noting that if we were not in Iraq, we would have never killed Al-Zarqawi. However, it is also fair to observe that Al-Zarqawi was dedicated to pursuing and killing Americans around the globe. If we had not found him, he surely would have found and attacked us.

Mr. Speaker, the Iraqis also deserve to be commended for their efforts in this struggle. During this war they have held three elections, written a constitution and, just last week, formed a permanent government. They played a key part in locating Al-Zarqawi and are assuming an increasing role in defending their own country. They are watching what we do here today. They require and request our continued support as they move forward in their efforts to build a new and better Iraq. The passage of this rule and the underlying legislation is an important sign that this country and this Congress will keep its commitment to Iraq as it strives to create a future of hope and promise.

But, Mr. Speaker, real challenges remain, and it is these challenges that require our action today. Our military, our sons and daughters, need these funds immediately. They require our support. We must give it to them.

Mr. Speaker, I am aware that some may question the 'cost' of the Global War on Terror. Some may question its worth. But, Mr. Speaker, today is not September 10th of 2001. We know what terrorists are capable of doing. Our enemies have chosen to make Iraq the central theater in the Global War on Terror. They seek to do to us what their predecessors did to the former Soviet Union in Afghanistan. That is a triumph which we must deny our enemies -- for our own sake as well as that of the Iraqi people.

This war is a generational test, one that will affect not only our children and grandchildren, but our great-grandchildren as well. We cannot fail in our objectives. We chose this path as a Congress in 2002, and now we must stay on the hard road to its completion. We must support our forces now, by passing this rule and the underlying legislation.

Mr. Speaker, many may wish to raise extraneous policy issues in this debate. Some may want to discuss issues that, however important, are superfluous to the question at hand. Frankly, I welcome the debate today and later this week. However, now is the time to support our sons and daughters deployed overseas on the field of battle. Now is the time to accept the true challenges we face. We can do so by passing this rule and the underlying legislation.

Before I close, Mr. Speaker, I wish to note that this Supplemental has another purpose. It contains funds that are badly needed by our fellow Americans on the Gulf Coast who are still recovering from the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina and Rita. Our fellow citizens need and deserve our support. I am proud we are responding as we have twice before. This, like the War on Terror, is a national priority. These twin issues -- the War on Terror and the recovery of the Gulf Coast -- demand and will receive resources from the Congress on a bipartisan basis. However, I am pleased to note that in our negotiation with the other body, our conferees have kept their focus on the challenges at hand. They have not allowed the generous impulses that underlay this legislation to be perverted into a reckless spending spree on other items. For that, they are to be commended. They have given us a bill that meets the needs at hand yet remains fiscally responsible. That is no small accomplishment. This legislation deserves support from all our members.

Mr. Speaker, to that end, I urge support for the rule and the underlying bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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