William Pryor: “I rise today to address the historic legislation before the Senate. I refer to S. 1689, the Emergency Supplemental…”

“I rise today to address the historic legislation before the Senate. I refer to S. 1689, the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Iraq and Afghanistan Security and Reconstruction Act, 2004. Let me begin with what seems to be the reaction of most Americans. I am captivated by the sheer sum of the bill--$87 billion. Once beyond the initial sticker shock, I began to look at the content of this package. I was sent to the Senate by Arkansans in part to watch over the Federal budget so I wanted to know what Americans were getting for their hard-earned $87 billion--$87 billion that will propel our Nation even further into debt. I want to go on record commending the work of my colleagues on the Appropriations Committee. They did the best that they could given the circumstances. I think that I am a fair-minded American but this $87 billion request was dumped in Congress's lap by the President on September 17, 2003. Today is October 17 only 4 weeks since we have received this package. It takes most people longer to do their taxes than we have had to figure out an $87 billion package. And while we have heard testimony from the top brass in the Defense Department, we have not from any outside witnesses with views that might differ from the administration. For instance, would it not make sense to hear from the Iraqi Governing Council regarding this bill? Regardless, here we are, and I have made every effort to fairly examine this package. This is what I have found.…”