Peter Visclosky: “I will vote for the final supplemental package. However, I do rise to express a number of concerns that I have. This is…”

“I will vote for the final supplemental package. However, I do rise to express a number of concerns that I have. This is the largest foreign aid package that any current Member of this Congress has voted for, and I do not believe that it should be left to our children and grandchildren to bear the burden of today's decision. During the Committee on Appropriations markup of this aid package last week, I voted in favor of an amendment offered by the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey), the ranking minority member. The gentleman from Wisconsin's (Mr. Obey) amendment would have transferred $4.6 billion from the reconstruction of Iraq to the equipment needs of our brave men and women who are still in harm's way. I would again support this amendment if it were allowed to be offered in the House because I strongly believe that it is our duty and our responsibility to first ensure that every American soldier and military personnel in Iraq has the equipment they need to fight and defend themselves; secondly, that our generation should pay for it, not our children.”