Haley Stevens: “I regret the problem we have with regard to the funding for these items. I call attention to the fact that we are trying…”

“I regret the problem we have with regard to the funding for these items. I call attention to the fact that we are trying to get a supplemental appropriations bill to deal with the costs of the war primarily, not just one war but the war against terrorism, the war in Iraq, and the war in Afghanistan. I know of no other way to do it than to say we have reached a limit as far as what we are going to do. This thought just came to my mind. We have gone beyond the President's request to deal with the most pressing need, and that is the aviation industry relief. We have some benefits for that industry, almost $4 billion, that deal with trying to give that industry the ability to rejuvenate the economy. If they come back, the whole economy comes back, in my judgment. In any event, the more we put in the supplemental, the more we will have a situation where we will not get that either. The aviation industry relief, I am told, needs to be finished almost immediately. Some of these companies are going into chapter 11 right now. Others are indicating that they may cease operation. I really believe the major factors in this bill are defense, homeland defense and aviation industry relief. I urge the Senate to think about it and confine it to that.”