Howard Berman: “Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the rule, which provides for consideration of a resolution to reduce what is being…”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the rule, which provides for consideration of a resolution to reduce what is being called ``non- security'' spending to 2008 levels. That resolution, H. Res. 38, sends a very damaging message that the Congress will not stand up to protect those programs that are absolutely essential to jobs and the economy. It also rejects a key principle that military leaders and Presidents of both parties have clearly recognized: Foreign assistance and diplomacy are essential to United States national security. That principle has been honored on a bipartisan basis ever since the tragic events of September 11, 2001. On that terrible morning, Americans woke to the realization that while the Cold War was over, their safety and security could be threatened by much less sophisticated means. The ideologies and the weapons of terror could not be thwarted by military power alone.”