Lynn C. Woolsey: “A peace has been negotiated in Kosovo, and are we not relieved? And are we not proud of our troops, and are we not proud…”

“A peace has been negotiated in Kosovo, and are we not relieved? And are we not proud of our troops, and are we not proud that we did not do this in a unilateral effort, it was a multilateral effort? But at the same time, we must not overlook the United States' share of the burden to reach this agreement. In this effort, the United States forces have flown about 65 percent of the air sorties, including combat and support operations. The U.S. is also providing at least 25 percent of refugee and migration assistance, shouldering the major burden of the Kosovo conflict. Even when this conflict is right in their own backyard, as the situation in the Balkans takes its toll, many of our allies are continuing to enjoy higher standards of living than our constituents, the American people. These nations can support education, health care, child care, and vital social programs because we pay their military bills. Our Europeans have gotten used to the American taxpayer picking up the tab for their defense. When they are allowed to do this, we cheat our children, we cheat our seniors, we cheat ourselves. Mr. Speaker, the time has come for our allies to pay their fair share and come to the United States with that share so that we can invest in our children, our seniors, and our environment. Vote for Shays-Franks this afternoon.”