Maxwell Frost: “earlier today the House demonstrated its bipartisan resolve to end the threat posed by Saddam Hussein. Now with this…”

“earlier today the House demonstrated its bipartisan resolve to end the threat posed by Saddam Hussein. Now with this conference report, funding the Department of Defense for the next fiscal year, Democrats and Republicans once again demonstrate our bipartisan support for America's national defense and for the men and women of the United States Armed Forces. Over the past year, Mr. Speaker, the world has been reminded of the skill, courage, and professionalism of the U.S. military. America's men and women in uniform have done everything this country has asked of them and they have done it well. So I would like to commend the chairman and ranking members of the Committee on Appropriations and the Subcommittee on Defense, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Young), the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey), the gentleman from California (Mr. Lewis), and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Murtha) for the tremendous job they have done to bring this conference report to the floor. It provides U.S. soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines with the resources they need to ensure our national security. It represents our bipartisan commitment to our troops and to the war on terrorism. Overall, it provides $355.4 billion for the Department of Defense for fiscal year 2003, which is an increase of $37.8 billion over last year's level. It continues to fund the wide range of weapons programs that ensure America's military superiority throughout the world.”