Nita Lowey

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the gentlewoman's amendment.

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I am very pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California, a valuable member of our subcommittee, who has focused his intellect on nuclear nonproliferation, on counterterrorism and on demining and I look forward to working together for many years on this committee (Mr. Schiff).

Mrs. LOWEY. I am very pleased to yield 2 minutes to a new member of the committee, a valuable addition, an expert on Africa and HIV/AIDS, Ms. Lee of California.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I move that the Committee do now rise.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank Mr. Wolf, my ranking member, again. I do believe that we have created a good, strong bipartisan bill. I appreciated the comments on both sides of the aisle. Although there may be some differences, I know that when the amendments are presented, these differences will be apparent. I do hope in the final analysis, as a result again of both Republican and Democratic members of the committee, this bill passes. This is a good, strong bill, and it is so needed by the people of this world. I know that both my ranking member and all the members of the committee and myself understand the important responsibility we have in this committee, and I look forward to passing this bill tomorrow with a good, strong vote. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I am very pleased to yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from California (Mr. Farr), a valuable member of the full committee, an alumnus of the Peace Corps and an advocate for so many parts of this bill. He was a real partner in helping us craft this great bill.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I am very pleased to yield 3 minutes to my good friend and colleague from New York, another new member of the subcommittee, who has had a particular interest and has great knowledge in the environment and made a major contribution to this bill in encouraging Ex-Im to focus on supporting projects that will contribute to the environment.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, I'm pleased to present to the House H.R. 2764, the fiscal year 2008 appropriations bill for the Department of State, foreign operations and related programs. I'm particularly pleased that the appropriations bill that I bring to the floor as chairwoman of the State Foreign Operations Subcommittee reflects a bipartisan process, and that the ranking member, Frank Wolf, was instrumental in pulling this bill together, as well as a very talented and engaged subcommittee. I'm very proud of our product. The bill before you totals $34.243 billion in new discretionary budget authority, $2.9 billion above fiscal year 2007, not counting supplemental appropriations, and $700 million below the President's request. This is the largest increase over the prior year enacted level that this subcommittee has received in over a decade. I appreciate Chairman Obey's recognition of the importance of this bill and the programs it funds. The bill includes over $7 billion to address our strategic priorities and national security interests, as well as increases for programs that promote development and reduce low global poverty, meet humanitarian needs, and respond to urgent health crises, priorities at the core of our interests abroad. For the war on terror, this bill includes $2.656 billion in economic assistance for our strategic partners and $4.509 billion in military assistance. While the bill includes $1.057 billion for Afghanistan, there are no additional funds for Iraq. In light of the $2.86 billion provided for Iraq reconstruction in the recently passed supplemental appropriations bill, and the $2.89 billion requested by the administration in the 2008 supplemental, I feel extremely strongly that there is no need at this time for additional funds for the same purposes in this bill, given the extraordinary needs to be met around the world. The bill includes over $4.7 billion to support State Department operations, both in the United States and abroad. The recommendation fully funds the President's request for worldwide security upgrades, and provides $364 million for public diplomacy efforts at the State Department, as well as $501 million for educational and cultural exchanges. The bill also provides $6.517 billion for global health. Addressing tuberculosis, avian flu, HIV/AIDS and other health threats is one of the best preventive measures to protect the health of the United States. We provide $5.082 billion for international HIV/AIDS efforts, which, in addition to appropriations in other bills, brings the total for international HIV/AIDS to $5.876 billion. This is $550 million above the President's fiscal year 2008 budget request, and includes $850 million for the global fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. The bill also includes $1.73 billion for development programs managed by the U.S. Agency for International Development, an increase of $225 million above the fiscal year 2007 enacted level. The increased resources will fund an initiative on basic education for developing countries, as well as an expansion of safe water and environment programs. As many of you know, basic education has been one of my top priorities for years and, I'm pleased to say, a top priority of the members of this committee. I'm convinced that access to quality primary education not only improves an individual's chances for a better, more productive life, it creates a more tolerant and informed citizenry. I've provided a total of $750 million for basic education in the bill, an increase of $200 million from the fiscal year 2007 House-passed bill. This bill also provides $501 million for the environment and clean energy programs, including $106 million for the global environmental facility, and $175 million for biodiversity programs at USAID. We've also included a provision that encourages the Export-Import Bank to support projects in renewable energy and other environmentally beneficial products. This initiative could result in an estimated $1 billion in additional green exports in 2008. There is $1.8 billion for the Millennium Challenge Account. This is a $1.2 billion reduction from the request, but $48 million above the fiscal year 2007 enacted level. I'm supportive of the MCA. I want to make this very clear. And while I believe the MCA is under the strong and capable management of Ambassador Danilovich, I would like to see more results on the ground from the $6 billion that has already been appropriated, $2.1 billion of which is not yet even obligated, before we significantly scale-up the MCA. The reduction to MCA helps us address the shortfalls for development assistance and health accounts. We have also funded a basic education initiative as well as expansion of safe water and environmental programs. With an investment of over $5 billion in the 6 years that Plan Colombia has been in effect, the numbers of hectares involved in coca production has increased by 42 percent. Because our efforts to combat narcotics in Colombia have been ineffective for some time, this bill restructures assistance for Colombia. We cut overall funding by 10 percent, or $59 million, and shift greater resources to the development, interdiction, rule of law and justice programs. It is time for the Colombians to take ownership over their eradication and military assistance programs, and this cut reflects that position. The bill provides over $5.4 billion for Africa, including a total of $949.3 million for Sudan, $210.5 million of which is for Darfur, $104 million above the request. We have provided $100 million in increased funding for the African Union Force in Darfur. This bill allows us to fully meet the President's request for Israel and Egypt. And I want to make it clear that Egypt is a friend, an important ally in the war on terror and a partner for peace in the Middle East. However, there are growing concerns about the independence of its judiciary, police abuses, and the smuggling operation from Egypt into Gaza. As a result, this bill requires the Secretary of State to certify that steps are being taken to address these issues before a portion of the military aid to Egypt can be released. Lastly, as you know, U.S. Government assistance for family planning is prohibited for groups that provide, promote, refer or counsel on abortions. Groups that merely exercise their legal rights to advocate for policies such as the legalization of abortion are denied U.S. assistance. This bill provides an exemption to those restrictions simply for the provision of contraceptive commodities. Foreign family planning organizations, which have been denied USAID family planning funds, could receive contraceptives from USAID to help reduce unintended and high-risk pregnancies, abortions and the spread of HIV, as well as save the lives of mothers and infants. This provision does not amend any of the provisions in existing law that prohibit assistance for abortions or otherwise restrict family planning funds. They're all there; 10 of them are all there; and 5 for restricting family planning; 10 to be sure that there's no money for abortion, and 5 to restrict family planning. All there. Mr. Chairman, this package of foreign assistance before you preserves our Nation's interests, reflects the values and priorities of the American people, and most importantly, helps to protect the security of Americans at home and abroad. It was developed in a bipartisan manner, and I expect it to have wide support as it passes the House. In closing, let me say again that it has been a pleasure working with Ranking Member Wolf and the minority staff, Christine Kojac, Rob Blair, Mike Ringler, Alice Hogans and Molly Miller. I would like to thank my vice chair, Jesse Jackson, Jr. for his hard work on this bill. I greatly appreciate the outstanding work and support of Nisha Desai, Lucy Heenan, Craig Higgins, Steve Marchese, Michele Sumilas, Mark Lopes and Celia Alvarado. They're all competent, professional and really a joy to work with. The work we have accomplished together in this bill will help make America more secure and will improve the lives of millions throughout the world. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to submit this bill, and urge your favorable consideration. [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH20JN07.001 [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH20JN07.002 [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH20JN07.003 [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH20JN07.004 [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH20JN07.005 [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH20JN07.006 [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH20JN07.007 I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I am very pleased to yield 3 minutes to our distinguished vice chairman, a very hardworking member of our subcommittee, my partner in this effort, Mr. Jackson of Illinois.

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 2764, and that I may include tabular material on the same.

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. As a New Yorker, I must tell you as honestly and openly as I can, that the hours that we have spent on this issue are an embarrassment, an affront to every New Yorker who experienced 9/11, who went down to that site, and saw our brave men and women responding to the emergency, every New Yorker who went to a funeral, to talk to a family about the loss of their loved one because of the lack of interoperability for one thing. I cannot understand how my friends on the other side could be spending all these hours debating earmarks when we should be passing one of the most important bills of the House. As Chair of the committee that funds State and Foreign Operations, I've always worked in a bipartisan way. I know my good friends, David Price and Hal Rogers, have always worked in a bipartisan way. We should get on with the business of this bill, and I would be embarrassed to have a constituent watch us, spend all night, all day focusing on Member-directed projects. You and I know that they need to be evaluated. A process has been in place for transparency. I think we've moved in a very positive direction. So let's get on with the business of this bill. We have no higher priority than to take every action necessary to protect our country, and I would just like to highlight a few of the provisions in this bill that are so important. The first would create a pilot program to screen airport workers, and I've worked in a bipartisan way on this issue. In March, two airport workers in Orlando boarded a plane and made it to Puerto Rico with a bag containing firearms and drugs, and this incident set off an alarm, reminding us that we've waited far too long to take sufficient action. Those who have unfettered access to sterile and secure areas of airports need to be physically screened. Meticulously screening passengers but giving workers open access is like installing an expensive home security system and leaving the back door open. This bill is the first step to close this loophole, something that is supported by Members on both sides of the aisle. Aviation security enhancements are not limited to airport worker screening. The bill makes the necessary investment to purchase and install explosive detection systems. Last year, British authorities uncovered a plot to destroy airliners over the Atlantic, which the terrorists believed would be on the same scale as the September 11 attack. We have to do all we can to reduce our vulnerabilities, particularly to known threats that terrorists have attempted to exploit. The second item I would like to applaud is the inclusion of much- needed funds for interoperability grants. After September 11, I wrote a bill to require the administration to create an office and grant program dedicated to interoperability and to implement a national strategy. Since that time, the office has been created, and last year's appropriations bill included my strategy proposal. This bill would fund that grant program, which the House overwhelmingly approved in January as part of the 9/11 bill. I encourage all of my colleagues to go back to their districts and ask first responders what the Federal Government can do to help them. I guarantee that one of the most frequent responses will be interoperability and communications problems. This bill provides not only the funding, but language on standards and other planning provisions that are beneficial. Third, this bill significantly enhances our ability to protect our ports. One of the biggest fears of security experts is that a terrorist will bring a nuclear weapon into the country through a port. This bill nearly doubles the funding for grants to protect ports and provides much-needed funding for the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office to develop and deploy the next generation of radiation portal monitors. A fourth improvement is transit security. In the last 5 years, terrorists have attacked trains in Madrid, London and Mumbai.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, this bill would provide $400 million, more than twice the amount previously provided, for first responders to reduce this glaring vulnerability. This bill is full of substantive provisions to assist first responders that we need to debate. For example, I look forward to considering several substantive amendments such as one submitted by my friend on the other side of the aisle that would assist a program that provides a ring around New York to prevent a terrorist from bringing a nuclear weapon into the city. But we can't have that debate and others about making our Nation safer if the minority continues to insist on pushing procedural roadblocks. In addition to serving on the Appropriations Subcommittee, I'm a member of the Homeland Security authorizing committee. We know that the threats against our country are real. Let's end these procedural delaying tactics. Although the chairman, the ranking member and the members of the committee have produced a really important bill, I know that many Members who are here getting up to speak may have additional thoughts, additional ideas to make our homeland safer. Shame on all of us if we're spending the time arguing procedural tactics and not focusing on the homeland security issues that are before us. As a New Yorker, I am personally offended. Let's move on with it.

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Harold Snyder on his 85th birthday. Harold was born on April 25th, 1922, in New York City. The son of immigrants, he has lived the American dream, ascending from a poor childhood through hard work to a successful career, and continues to give back to his community. In 1941, he proudly enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps and served as a gunner and radio operator of B-17s in the 301st Squadron. After his service ended, Harold attended college on a GI Bill and received an undergraduate degree from New York University. He then pursued a Masters degree in Natural Sciences from Columbia University. In 1963, Harold founded Biocraft Laboratories. A pioneer of the pharmaceutical industry, Harold has devoted his career to providing affordable prescription drugs to Americans. As the cost of health care has skyrocketed, Harold Snyder has fought to ensure that American consumers have access to the medications they need by leading the charge to develop less expensive, safe, effective generic pharmaceuticals. In addition, Harold contributes to and advocates on behalf of a number of charitable causes including medical research, education and the Arts. He believes in the power to change the world for the better and has devoted himself to helping provide opportunity to others less fortunate than himself. Indeed, Harold has graciously helped to give hope to many facing all kinds of struggles, to give back to a world that he feels has provided him with exceptional opportunities. I am honored to call Harold Snyder my good friend. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me today in recognizing the tremendous accomplishments of Harold Snyder and to wish him a Happy 85th Birthday.

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, during rollcall vote No. 280 on H.R. 1429, I mistakenly recorded my vote as ``aye'' when I should have voted ``no.'' I ask unanimous consent that my statement appear in the Record immediately following rollcall vote No. 280. Amendment No. 7 Offered by Mr. Putnam

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the legacy and accomplishments of our recently-passed colleague and dear friend Juanita Millender-McDonald. Juanita Millender-McDonald's life epitomized one of a true leader. Her deep commitment to those she served led her to be the first African American woman to chair a committee in Congress. Juanita Millender-McDonald's vision and leadership since 1996 will have a lasting impact on the House of Representatives. Her fight for full voting participation for all Americans and her tireless efforts for fair elections in the United States have helped millions of Americans and made our democracy stronger. Madam Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join me in paying respect to the family of Juanita Millender-McDonald and in honoring her career in service to our country.

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the conference report on H.R. 1591 and commend Chairman Obey for your efforts to protect our troops, respect the wishes of the American people, and preserve our Nation's interest in this bill. Our troops have served with honor and courage. However, they should be deployed only when battle ready and with a clear and achievable mission. Neither is the case today in Iraq. Recent reports indicate the troop surge is not working. The number of casualties rose again in March, and this bloody trend continues. We have heard from this administration that it is not willing to negotiate on Iraq. Frankly, their unwillingness to compromise has led us to this point, and the right of the American people to be heard is nonnegotiable. No amount of American blood or treasure can help Iraq if the Iraqis don't help themselves. The Maliki government must exhibit the political will to confront extremists, to give all segments of society a stake in Iraq's future, and to put Iraqi revenues towards the hard task of reconstruction. That is why this bill asks the President to certify that the Iraqis are doing their part in meeting critical benchmarks. In addition, I am pleased the conference report includes nearly $200 million in increased funding for Afghanistan, $80.3 million for Jordan, $45 million for Liberia, $769 million for Lebanon, much needed assistance for Sudan and Somalia, increased funding for disaster and refugee aid to Iraq, increased accountability through funding expanded mandates for the special Inspector General and the State and USAID IG operations. While this bill provides most of the funding requested by the President, it puts in place safeguards and oversight to stop waste, fraud and abuse with U.S. taxpayer dollars in Iraq. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I regrettably missed rollcall votes 236-244. Had I been present, I would have voted in the following manner: Rollcall No. 236: ``no''; rollcall No. 237: ``no''; rollcall No. 238: ``no''; rollcall No. 239: ``no''; rollcall No. 240: ``no''; rollcall No. 241: ``no''; rollcall No. 242: ``no''; rollcall No. 243: ``no''; rollcall No. 244: ``yea''.

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1401, the Rail and Public Transportation Security Act of 2007. I want to thank Chairman Thompson and Ranking Member King for moving this bill to the floor in a bipartisan manner. The President's budget request for fiscal year 2008 includes only $41 million for TSA for surface transportation, less than 1 percent of the TSA budget. From fiscal year 2003 to fiscal year 2006, DHS distributed approximately $387 million for rail and mass transit security grants. On average, that is only one penny of Federal homeland security funding spent for each of the 9.5 billion transit passenger trips each year. This number is miniscule compared with the average Federal security investment of $9 per airline passenger trip. This legislation represents the first step in closing the enormous gap between Federal spending on aviation security and spending on security for rail and public transportation. As we saw in the uncovered plot to bomb the Herald Square subway station in New York City, as well as the horrific attacks in Madrid, London and Mumbai, terrorists are targeting mass transit systems, and we must do what it takes to protect and secure our transportation networks. This bill, for the first time, authorizes dedicated risk-based funding for the security of railroad carriers, public transportation systems, and over-the-road bus systems. It also provides for fire and line-safety improvements to be made at Amtrak tunnels throughout the critically important Northeast corridor, including six tunnels in the New York City area. Every day, thousands of my constituents join more than 7 million riders traveling on Metropolitan Transit Authority trains and buses throughout the New York metro area. They expect and deserve to know that the Federal Government is just as committed to rail security as it is to other homeland security priorities. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1591 and commend Chairman Obey, Chairman Murtha, and our Speaker for putting together a bill that protects our troops, responds to the will of the American people, and preserves our Nation's interests. Our men and women in uniform have served with honor and courage, but we are not doing our part. Our Armed Forces are not battle-ready, nor is their mission clear and achievable. There is no definition of victory. The nature of the battle has changed, and our troops now find themselves policing a bloody civil war. It is well past time to set clear parameters for this war. Since the beginning, this war and reconstruction efforts have been ill-managed. Just yesterday the Iraq IG reported yet again on how unprepared the administration was for the task of reconstruction. The Defense Department had no strategy for restoring government institutions, establishing security, or rebuilding infrastructure, and the State Department was cut completely out of the work. There continues to be a lack of coordination and strategy to achieve our objectives. Putting billions of dollars more into this war without any parameters and risking the lives of more of our brave men and women is not only foolish; it is immoral. As the New York Times editorial noted on Thursday, if the President won't step up to the task of setting benchmarks and ensuring the safety of our troops, then it falls to us, this Congress. Mr. Speaker, this bill does just that. We are stepping up to our responsibilities. This legislation does not micromanage the war, as many of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle claim. It is a very carefully considered approach to bringing accountability to the execution of the war and to the reconstruction efforts. Moreover, it sets a date certain for the end of this war so we can bring our troops home. No amount of American blood or treasure can help Iraq if the Iraqis don't help themselves. The Maliki government must exhibit the political will to confront extremists on both sides of the Sunni-Shia divide, to give all segments of society a stake in Iraq's future, and to put Iraqi revenues towards the hard task of reconstruction. Congress didn't pull these benchmarks from the air. They were put forth by the Iraqis and by President Bush in his January 10 speech. Mr. Speaker, we are already into the fifth year of this war. The bill provides the funding the President requested, but it does not do so unconditionally. This bill sets benchmarks, provides a date certain for withdrawal. The days of open-ended commitment and unilateral check-writing privileges are over. This bill deals with Iraq responsibly, and I urge my colleagues to support it. Parliamentary Inquiry

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Speaker, I regrettably missed rollcall votes 157 through 159. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' for each measure.

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank Chairman Waxman and Ranking Member Davis of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee for bringing this bill to the floor. I rise in support of this bill and in particular, the provisions extending whistleblower protections to federal employees who work on national security matters, including those employed by the Transportation Security Administration. The simple fact is that TSA screeners are treated differently than other Department of Homeland Security personnel. That is why I authored the provisions in the Implementing the 9/11 Commission Recommendations Act of 2007, which the House passed in January, that would give TSOs whistleblower and collective bargaining rights. Astonishingly, the President has threatened to veto the 9/11 bill over this provision. TSA screeners are frontline security workers who perform a crucial and often grueling job that requires training, experience, and patience. We need workers who have mastered the job and providing whistleblower protections to TSA employees is part of a broader strategy to ensure that these individuals will make a career of protecting our Nation. I intend to vote for this bill not only to strengthen protections for whistleblowers and restore accountability to the federal government, but to advance this critical TSA provision through the legislative process and show the President that we are serious about giving our frontline security workers the same rights as other Department of Homeland Security personnel. I urge my colleagues to do the same.

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. I thank my distinguished colleague from New York for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 64, a resolution expressing the sense of the House that the Government of Bangladesh should drop all charges against Bangladeshi journalist, Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury. I want to thank my colleague from Illinois (Mr. Kirk) for his leadership on this issue. In May of 2006, the American Jewish Committee awarded Mr. Choudhury the Moral Courage Award. Unfortunately, he was not there to receive this honor because more than 2 years earlier he was arrested while attempting to board a flight from Bangladesh to Tel Aviv. Mr. Choudhury's passport was confiscated, his house and possessions were raided, and he was first cited for a passport violation because Bangladeshi law prohibits travel to Israel. Subsequently, he was charged with sedition, accused of espionage, and imprisoned for 17 months. What is his crime? Mr. Choudhury spoke up for interfaith dialogue, he published articles critical of Islamic extremism, and he appealed for greater religious tolerance and freedom. For these ``crimes'' he is charged with sedition, an offense punishable by death. Mr. Choudhury has already been harassed and subjected to harsh interrogation techniques in prison. His newspaper offices were bombed by Islamic extremists in July of 2006, and he was physically attacked in October of 2006. This resolution calls on the Government of Bangladesh to immediately drop the charges against Mr. Choudhury, to return his confiscated property, to stop intimidation tactics against him, and to protect him from future harassment. Mr. Choudhury advocates peace and tolerance. It is time that Congress sends a strong and clear message: we are watching, and we will not allow Mr. Choudhury and others like him to be silenced. I hope you will join me in strongly supporting H. Res. 64.

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, due to a family medical emergency, I regrettably missed rollcall votes. Had I been present I would have voted in the following manner: Rollcall No. 100: ``yea.'' Rollcall No. 101: ``aye.'' Rollcall No. 102: ``aye.''

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Speaker, a violent civil war is raging in Iraq, with atrocities against innocent civilians mounting every day. Our troops, our brave troops, are caught in the crossfire, dying and being maimed driving on local roads, patrolling neighborhoods and moving about by helicopter. What is their mission today? What is the strategic objective of the escalation proposed by the President? President Bush's plan to deploy 20,000 additional U.S. combat troops to Iraq is not a new strategy, and nothing I have seen or heard has convinced me that this escalation will make a positive difference in Iraq or hasten the safe return of U.S. troops. In fact, General Abizaid said that ``more American forces prevent the Iraqis from taking responsibility for their own future.'' Four previous troop surges between December 2003 and October 2006 have not made a dent in the level of violence nor in the number of U.S. casualties. We have spent nearly $500 billion in Iraq and Afghanistan, and yet inexplicably our troops still do not have the protection they need. Throughout this war, many in Congress have addressed the lack of equipment and protection for our troops. Now, military leaders are saying there are not enough armor kits and vehicles to protect these additional five brigades the President plans to send to Iraq. It is unacceptable to send more soldiers to Iraq, but it is unconscionable to send them without proper armaments or an explanation from the administration about how our troops will be protected. Madam Speaker, 3,132 Americans in uniform have died and 23,417 have been wounded since the start of the war in Iraq. I visited our wounded soldiers at Walter Reed, Bethesda Naval Hospital, and, most recently, at Landstuhl Military Hospital in Germany during my visit to Iraq with the Speaker. I stood at the bedside of a 23-year old severely wounded soldier, a soldier who was holding the hand of his 21-year old brother, currently serving in Iraq, and the hand of his father, who had also served in the Armed Forces, a soldier who will likely never come home. These families are making the ultimate sacrifice for our family. I am humbled by their commitment, their professionalism and dedication. We have a responsibility to our Armed Forces, our citizens, and the constituents who have elected us to bring them home as quickly and safely as possible. I am convinced that the thorough analysis and conclusions of the bipartisan Iraq Study Group are correct. Iraqi leaders must take responsibility for the country's security and government and we must engage the international community to work towards stability in the region. There is no military solution to the crisis in Iraq, and we cannot send more brave men and women to police a civil war. As I have said many times before, there are no good solutions to the quagmire in Iraq. This war was ill-conceived, poorly planned and incompetently executed. The best military minds must now focus their efforts on the safe and responsible redeployment of our troops rather than on this escalation. I cannot support sending more of our brave men and women in uniform on a last-ditch, misguided mission. We best support our troops, my colleagues, and our national interests, by adopting this resolution, and by expressing clearly on behalf of the American people our firm determination to change course in Iraq.

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I just want to say to my good friend, my colleague, Mr. Wolf, I look forward to working closely with you. And as you may know, or I am surprised if you don't know, my staff was working with your staff every single step of the way, and your input and the input of your staff was invaluable. So we can have further discussions. Thank you very much. And I want to commend Chairman Obey and all the staff on both sides of the aisle, because we worked on the bill together, for their tireless work. It is a shame, frankly, that the Republican leadership of the 109th Congress failed to finish its work on the fiscal year 2007 appropriations bills, leaving vital programs in the lurch. And while this bill is the result of the Republicans' abdication of duty in the 109th Congress, it is a fair, balanced, and bipartisan attempt to continue essential government programs and services and address critical priorities. Specifically, this joint resolution provides a total of $4.55 billion for global HIV/AIDS and TB, almost $300 million above the President's fiscal year 2007 request, including $724 million for the Global Fund. We have also increased PEPFAR funding by $75 million over the President's request to put hundreds of thousands more people on lifesaving medications. In addition to keeping the momentum in our HIV/AIDS initiatives, the joint resolution also addresses the ongoing genocide in Darfur, Sudan. Two-and-a-half years after Congress declared the atrocities to be genocide, violence continues unabated. This bill provides $50 million in additional funds for the only peacekeepers on the ground, the African Union forces. Additionally, this bill meets our commitment for Israel and Egypt as requested for fiscal year 2007. And, finally, having just returned from Afghanistan, I do believe there is still a glimmer of hope that our assistance can make a positive impact there. I am pleased that the joint resolution provides over $1 billion for reconstruction programs, counternarcotics and other priorities. And I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this joint resolution.