Ed Royce: “this rule is important so that we can bring up the supplemental conference report tonight to fund our troops. The need…”

“this rule is important so that we can bring up the supplemental conference report tonight to fund our troops. The need is very urgent. This past weekend I had the privilege of traveling to Iraq where I led a Congressional delegation. And I say ``privileged'' because it was a privilege to spend time with our brave servicemen and women on the ground in Iraq who are doing a tremendous job under difficult conditions. They deserve our greatest support. And, Mr. Speaker, that is what this bill does. It supports our servicemen and women with the resources that they need. And I would like to commend the gentleman from California (Mr. Lewis) and the ranking member, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Murtha), and all the Members involved in working out this bill with the other body. I would like to bring attention to one program in particular contained in this bill: The Commanders Emergency Response Program, which, fortunately, was agreed to by the conferees. Having seen this program at work on the ground in Iraq, I would like to report to my colleagues that it is effective and it is very efficient. This program allows our military commanders in Iraq to respond to urgent humanitarian relief and reconstruction needs. And with this program, we have repaired roads, water treatment facilities, police stations, and schools. We had an opportunity to see this work. And this is done hand in hand with Iraqi labor and it is done very cost effectively.”