Mark Souder: “the subject of this Special Order, and I hope to be joined by several of my colleagues, is going to be narcotics policy…”

“the subject of this Special Order, and I hope to be joined by several of my colleagues, is going to be narcotics policy in the United States and a number of success stories we have had. We often talk about the problems and challenges as chairman of the Subcommittee on Drug Policy, the committee that has oversight over all drug issues but also authorizing over the Office of National Drug Control Policy, so-called Drug Czar, Director John Walters. We have authorizing and oversight on all drug issues. Before I get directly into the subject of this Special Order, I wanted to say a few words about last night's wonderful address on this floor and to this assembly. If the President had included every single thing of importance and everything we have in our budget, we would still be sitting here this morning. So I first want to thank the President for finishing his speech in 60 minutes. My colleagues were sharing many concerns that I share as well. That is why our budgets are this thick. That is why we debate all year long on appropriations. But the goal of the State of the Union address is to set a basic vision for where our country is headed; and I thought President Bush did a remarkable job of outlining the major challenges that we face.”