Jerry Lewis: “Mr. Speaker, today is the 500th day since the President's fiscal year 2008 emergency supplemental request first arrived…”

“Mr. Speaker, today is the 500th day since the President's fiscal year 2008 emergency supplemental request first arrived on the Hill. Oft times we make the mistake of assuming that we're doing the Lord's work in this body. But I remind my colleagues that the Good Lord created Heaven, Earth--and far more--and it took Him 493 fewer days to get it done. It's no secret that I've had misgivings about the manner in which the majority leadership developed and moved earlier versions of the supplemental, without consideration by the Committee on Appropriations and under a closed rule. While the regular order process was never followed, today I'm happy to report that the House has worked in a bipartisan fashion--and come to an agreement--on a funding package that will provide immediate support to our troops in harm's way in Iraq and Afghanistan. This supplemental is long overdue and comes at a time when the Pentagon has already issued guidance to employees on potential furloughs. Clearly, our agreement on this legislation comes not a moment too soon.”