Haley Stevens: “There are some things I would like to point out about this $87 billion request. No one part of the supplemental is…”

“There are some things I would like to point out about this $87 billion request. No one part of the supplemental is indispensable and no part is more important than the others. This is a carefully considered request. This is urgent. The urgency of military operations is self-evident. The funds for nonmilitary action in Iraq are equally urgent. Most Iraqis welcome us as liberators and we glow with the pleasure of that welcome. Now the reality of foreign troops on the streets is starting to chafe. Some Iraqis are beginning to regard us as occupiers and not as liberators. Some of this is inevitable, but faster progress in reconstruction will help. Unless this supplemental passes quickly, the Iraqis will face darkness eight hours daily. The safety of our troops is indirect but real. The people who ambush our troops are small in number and do not do so because they have undependable electricity. However, the population of a few is directly related to their cooperation in hunting down those who attack us. Earlier progress gives an edge against terrorists. As chairman of the Appropriations Committee, I take the position that we should act as quickly as possible on this bill.”