David Obey: “Mr. Speaker, this bill is a response to the worst attack on U.S. soil in the history of our republic. That attack…”

“Mr. Speaker, this bill is a response to the worst attack on U.S. soil in the history of our republic. That attack requires a response which is focused, strong, mature, and lasting. That attack requires a response that is based on solid unity, and that unity must be based upon the recognition of and the overcoming of our differences, not in the ignoring or the papering over of our differences. That is the only way to provide true unity over the long haul. Very frankly, twice in the last 2 days I was concerned that that unity would not come about. This morning I can tell every Member of this House without question that those divisions have been overcome during negotiations on this bill, and I think it is important that some Members who have some misgivings understand the history of this bill. During negotiations on this bill, money has never been an object. Make no mistake about it, this committee, this body, will provide whatever resources are needed to respond to this challenge, not just today, not just tomorrow, but for as long as it takes; but it is crucial in our rush to a response that we preserve and protect the institutional arrangements that have been the very foundation of our liberty since the Constitution was first written. Mr. Speaker, the Congress has essentially only two powers that mean anything in the scheme of things. The first is the War Power; the second is the power of the purse.…”