Jim Ryun

Mr. RYUN of Kansas

Mr. RYUN of Kansas. Madam Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith).

Mr. RYUN of Kansas

Mr. RYUN of Kansas. Madam Speaker, expecting a baby should be a joyous time, but tragically some mothers and their preborn children are being attacked. Often the express purpose is to kill the baby. To make matters worse, the preborn child is not protected under Federal law. Most of my colleagues know the story of Laci and Conner Peterson. Laci and her preborn son, Conner, were both killed in California last December. Conner was then in the 8th month of development. Twenty-six States have fetal homicide laws. California is one of them. Unthinkably, had this attack occurred on Federal property or in a State without a fetal homicide law, prosecutors would not have been able to press charges for the murder of little Conner. While this Chamber has considered the Unborn Victims of Violence Act before, a Federal provision to protect both victims has yet to be enacted. We must change this inconsistency in our law. At the request of Laci and Conner's family, the Unborn Victims of Violence Act is now appropriately called Laci and Conner's Law. Now is the time to act. Support Laci and Conner's Law.

Mr. RYUN of Kansas

Mr. RYUN of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I would like to bring to the attention of my colleagues an essay written by fellow Kansan, Christina Lachut. Ms. Lachut, from Fort Riley, Kansas, is this year's Kansas winner of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Voice of Democracy Scholarship Contest. I am very proud of Ms. Lachut and her accomplishment. Freedom's Obligation (By Christina Lachut) Freedom. The very thought of it conjures visions of blue skies, soaring eagles, and star spangled banners fluttering in the breeze. However, every Veterans' Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, and now Patriot Day, we are reminded of the many lives sacrificed at ``Freedom's altar.'' Freedom's altar lies not in a single land, but across many, from the fields of Gettysburg to Flanders field, from Pearl Harbor to the Mekong Delta, from the sands of Iraq to the hills of the Balkans, and from the streets of New York City to the rocks of Afghanistan. In every land where an American in Freedom's name falls, a lighthouse of hope is raised. Yes, one can easily see that our liberties as Americans are not without a price. This American freedom is not as much a right as it is an obligation; an obligation to be a torch of freedom and justice to every dark shore our nation beholds. Even in its birth, our country inspired other peoples in far away lands to begin their pursuit of the ideals our Founding Fathers themselves sought. As our nation matured, it fought its own battles into adulthood and came to more fully realize the breadth of the concept of the Freedom it embraced: the state of being fully without bonds and lawfully equal to all people regardless of color, heritage, gender, ability, or belief. As an individual, each has a responsibility to help preserve another's freedom, and not to aid in impeding it. As well as to the individual, this concept of responsibility must be applied to the nation as a whole. Prior to the Second World War, the United States tried to remain isolated from the conflicts that engulfed Europe. The United States only joined these wars after it was impossible to do otherwise. Little by little, though, our country has learned to heed the warning presented by Martin Luther King Jr. that, ``A threat to freedom anywhere is a threat to freedom everywhere.'' Freedom and oppression simply cannot coexist. Why, though, are Americans now so willing to fight for such an abstract idea as freedom? Perhaps it is because we have beheld the horrors of the Holocaust, the terror of the Khmer Rouge, and the stranglehold of the Taliban. This loyalty to freedom, though, lies more likely in the essence of the American spirit, that every-gnawing hunger for fairness, justice, and the righteousness of the Golden Rule. A long line of Americans fighting on foreign soil have justified the war to themselves by reasoning that they have liberty because someone they never knew paid the price for it, and it is only fair that they, in their state of freedom, be willing to do the same for another. It is our duty, as partakers of freedom in this part of the world, to be defenders of freedom throughout the world. Abraham Lincoln stated this obligation best when he surmised; ``In giving freedom to the slave we assure freedom to the free, honorable alike in what we give and what we preserve.'' By the freedom that has made our own nation great, we must humble ourselves, and share the wealth with which we have been so mightily blessed.

Mr. RYUN of Kansas

Mr. RYUN of Kansas. Mr. Chairman, the global HIV epidemic issue cannot and must not be ignored. People are dying from this disease, and we know how to help them. Our duty is to promote good public policy that saves lives, and we have an opportunity today to do that. As we look for the method of reducing HIV/AIDS infection rate, we have to look no further than to Uganda to find a very successful program. Uganda has led the way in drastically reducing its infection rate of HIV/AIDS from 21 percent in 1991 to 5 percent in 2001. This has been accomplished through the ABC program, a model of behavior that we need to follow. First of all, abstinence; second, be faithful; and, third, using a condom. The stunning drop in HIV proves that the behavior can change and save lives, and I encourage my colleagues to support this Pitts amendment.

Mr. RYUN of Kansas

Mr. RYUN of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, our economy needs a boost, and it seems that lawmakers on both sides of the aisle agree on a couple of basic points: First, we must do something to stimulate the economy; Second, President Bush's tax proposal would create jobs. Since we can agree that cutting taxes creates jobs, why would Democrats want to slash the proposed economic stimulus in half? It is estimated that tax relief would create 700,000 jobs yearly throughout the country. In Kansas, this plan would create over 9,000 jobs per year over the next 5 years. Why do we choose to limit our success by cutting these numbers in half? Some think the answer to our problem is to make the government a little larger. I believe the answer lies in empowering people with their own money so they can work, save, and invest in our economy. I urge my colleagues to hold the line on spending and to enact a robust economic stimulus to prioritize taxpayers and create jobs.

Mr. RYUN of Kansas

Mr. RYUN of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, it is said that you can judge a government by the way it treats the weak. In recent days we have all seen the images of American GIs holding Iraqi children, rushing them out of harm's way. We currently hold thousands of Iraqi prisoners of war. We are treating them humanely, giving them food and water. We will openly welcome the International Red Cross to monitor the health and well-being of these prisoners. We demand nothing less from the Iraqi regime in its treatment of our seven American POWs. Looking back to the first Gulf War, we remember that our POWs were subject to mock executions, beatings and public humiliation. Let the Iraqi military be warned: America will hold those responsible who mistreat any American service man or woman regardless of the orders they may have received from above.

Mr. RYUN of Kansas

Mr. RYUN of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, as our collective attention and focus is on the war in Iraq, it is critically important that we remember our troops who are prisoners of war. Allow me to read the names of these brave men and women who are now enduring life as a POW: Patrick Miller, age 23, from Park City, Kansas; Ronald D. Young, Jr., age 26, from Lithia Springs, Georgia; David S. Williams, age 30, from Orlando, Florida; Joseph Hudson, age 23, from Alamogordo, New Mexico; Shoshana Johnson, age 30, from Fort Bliss, Texas; Edgar Hernandez, age 21, from Mission, Texas; and James Joseph Riley, age 31, from Pennauken, New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, these soldiers are again proving that freedom is not free. May we all as Americans remember these brave men and women and pray for their families, their safety and their rapid return.

Mr. RYUN of Kansas

Mr. RYUN of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I thank the chairman and the ranking minority member, and I also thank the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Tiahrt) for his hard work on this issue. I rise today to speak on behalf of House Concurrent Resolution 84. With this bill, a statue of our 34th President and a favorite son of Kansas will adorn the halls of this great institution. Born in Texas, but raised in Abilene, Kansas, Dwight D. Eisenhower was a small-town boy who led our military through the harsh days of World War II and then led our Nation in the trying times of the Korean Conflict. However, throughout Eisenhower's career, he always remained true to his Kansas roots. Ike understood early on in his life how important the military was to the protection of our Nation and decided to pursue a career as an Army officer. After graduating from West Point, he was transferred around the world from Panama to the Philippines. During World War II, Ike's talents and character were recognized by everyone who worked with him. He quickly rose through the ranks from lieutenant colonel to five-star general in just 4 short years. He commanded the Allied forces, landing in North Africa and was the Supreme Commander on D-Day. After the war, Eisenhower became the first chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and was the Supreme Commander of the forces of the newly created NATO. Due to his well-proven leadership and strong popularity with the American people, Eisenhower was heavily courted by both political parties to run for the Presidency. Finally, he agreed to become a Presidential candidate under the Republican banner. Eisenhower resigned the Army and 5 months later won the Presidency in a landslide election. During his two terms as President, Eisenhower worked tirelessly to bring peace and economic prosperity to the American people. Ike signed a cease-fire agreement between North and South Korea, pursued the policies of containment against the Soviet empire, desegregated the military, balanced the Federal budget, and signed the landmark Interstate Highway Act. After leaving the Presidency, Eisenhower returned to private life and enjoyed his final days with his family. This great general, great President, and great American holds an important place in American history and in the hearts and minds of the American people. He will soon hold a rightful place in the halls of the Capitol.

Mr. RYUN of Kansas

Mr. RYUN of Kansas. Mr. Chairman, I thank the chairman for his hard work on this budget. I rise in support of the Republican budget passed by the Committee on the Budget because this budget has the right priorities. Every dollar spent by the Federal Government during these challenging economic times should be very carefully evaluated. When times are tight, we must prioritize, rooting out waste and abuse of government spending. This budget holds the total spending increase to 3.1 percent. This is a modest increase that leads back to balance in 9 years. While I believe we could root out even more waste in Federal spending to maintain greater fiscal discipline, this budget takes a responsible step to keep us from passing even more debt to our children and to our grandchildren. Especially at this time in our Nation's history, we are all too aware that a strong defense is necessary for the survival of our freedom. Key to our defense are the brave men and women who serve in our Armed Forces. We must retain our most experienced personnel and compensate them accordingly. This budget provides $98.6 billion for pay and benefits. It will allow for pay raises ranging from 2 percent to 6.5 percent, targeted by rank and years of experience. As we are becoming aware of new threats to the safety here at home, we must ensure that new defenses are developed. This budget meets the President's request for $9.1 billion for the Missile Defense Agency to begin the development of defenses against long-range ballistic missile threats. This would provide a near-term defense against North Korean missiles. Why is this critical? North Korea has already threatened our inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency and resumed missile testing. The CIA has reported that the Koreans are working on a missile that could hit the west coast of the United States, and they are widely suspected of beginning the process of taking the spent fuel rods from the reactor to extract plutonium. It is clear that the need for missile defense is no longer in the realm of hypothetical. Developments like these missiles make a missile defense system critical to ensuring and securing our future. The Republican budget puts us on path to develop a missile defense system for next year. I urge my colleagues to support this fiscally sound policy and support this particular bill.

Mr. RYUN of Kansas

Mr. RYUN of Kansas. Madam Speaker, providing help to our working families is one of the main reasons I am in Washington today. I am proud of what we have accomplished, partial elimination of the marriage tax penalty, as well as expansion of the child tax credit; but I believe we should go a step further. Currently, we give tax credit to families who pay for day care and other services, but families who have a parent taking care of their children are left on their own. That is why I have introduced the Family Care Tax Credit Act to give a fair and balanced approach to the child care tax credits by giving help to all middle-class families of children. Many parents in Kansas tell me that they would like to stay home with their children or to care for a loved one, but they cannot overcome the financial barriers caused by this tax bill. My plan would simply remove one of those barriers. President Bush's economic stimulus package is a good start, but I think we could and should do more.

Mr. RYUN of Kansas

Mr. RYUN of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained and unable to vote on rollcalls No. 33 and No. 34. Had I been present I would have voted ``yes'' on both. I ask unanimous consent that this appear in the appropriate place in the Record.

Mr. RYUN of Kansas

Mr. RYUN of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to note that the other body has not acted on the judicial nomination of Mr. Miguel Estrada. The constitution provides that the other body has the power to approve the President's choice of judges. This system has worked since the inception of our nation. But now the other body is being stopped from exercising its power to confirm or not confirm Mr. Estrada. In fact, they are conducting a filibuster to keep a confirmation vote from taking place. To have a legislative body that is simply afraid to vote is not good for democracy. What do they fear? Is Mr. Estrada unfit? If so, they should simply vote ``no.'' In America, even our suspected criminals are guaranteed due process under law and a speedy trial. But Mr. Estrada, who the American Bar Association gave its highest rating and who has a top-notch record of fairness and respect for the law,, is left to languish without even a hearing. I urge the American people to call their Senators and tell them to give Estrada an up-or-down vote. They deserve nothing less than open and fair action.

Mr. RYUN of Kansas

Mr. RYUN of Kansas. Mr. Chairman, I believe that all embryonic cloning, whether therapeutic or reproductive, violates moral and rational bounds. First, embryonic cloning is unproven. Not a single case of embryonic cloning in animals has resulted in successful treatment of any disease. Furthermore, animals created through embryonic cloning have developed unnaturally and suffered numerous genetic defects. Second, embryonic cloning is immoral. Every cloned embryo is capable of developing into an adult. The Greenwood amendment proposes the artificial creation of life and subsequent destruction thereof. This cannot be tolerated. Finally, even in the most conservative of estimates, hundreds of millions of human eggs would be needed for human cloning. Women, especially the under-privileged, would be exploited for the sale of their eggs. We cannot allow human eggs to become a commodity. We must ban all embryonic cloning. I urge my colleagues to support the resolution.

Mr. RYUN of Kansas

Mr. RYUN of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, regrettably, yesterday my flight was delayed and I was unable to return to the House in time to vote on H. Res. 25, and H. Res. 26. 1 ask unanimous consent that the Record reflect that had I been present for the votes, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 13, H. Res, 26, and ``yea'' on rollcall No. 14, H. Res. 25.

Mr. RYUN of Kansas

Mr. RYUN of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his kind comments. Madam Speaker, a vote to place the men and women of our Armed Forces in the harm's way is one of the most crucial decisive votes I will ever have to make. Having fully considered the matter, I am convinced that Saddam's continued possession of weapons of mass destruction poses a significant threat to the United States. If he continues to refuse to comply with the demands to disarm, the use of force will be justified. Information provided by the Central Intelligence Agency and the Defense Intelligence Agency and testimony received by the House Committee on Armed Services clearly establishes that Saddam Hussein currently possesses chemical and biological weapons and is actively pursuing nuclear weapons. Saddam has already demonstrated his belief that the use of weapons of mass destruction against both his own citizens and his enemies is a legitimate means to preserve his power and achieve his goals. Saddam's capabilities and willingness to use weapons of mass destruction pose a threat to the security of the United States. This threat to our national security is imminent. The attacks of September 11, 2001, demonstrate that our enemies have embraced nontraditional warfare. They will not operate under traditional notions of warfare and will not confine their methods to conventional combat. Saddam's options for employing chemical, biological, and radiological weapons against the United States and our Armed Forces are not limited to bombers and missiles and artillery shells. In fact, Saddam's most effective uses of weapons of mass destruction could come through surrogates that obtain these weapons by Iraq. I know some urge reliance on additional inspections and sanctions. While I applaud the President's proposal for a new U.N. Security Council resolution and hope that U.N. member nations will follow the United States' lead in confronting this threat, we must remember that, after more than a decade, U.N. actions to this date have simply not worked. I am convinced that an inspection regime dependent upon Saddam's compliance will not result in disarmament. Since 1991, Saddam has flagrantly violated the conditions of cease- fire that ended the Gulf War. As a part of the cease-fire, Saddam agreed unconditionally to give up his weapons of mass destruction. However, Saddam has retained possession of chemical and biological weapons produced before the Gulf War and has restored his ability to produce these weapons. Additionally, Saddam is vigorously pursuing a nuclear weapons program. It appears that if Saddam were able to acquire fissile material, he would be able to as quickly assemble nuclear weapons in a manner of months, not years. On September 16, 2002, Saddam promised the United Nations unrestricted access for weapons inspection in Iraq, but the U.N. agreement announced on October 1 does not provide such access. Saddam's presidential palaces, which are comprised of vast tracts of land and hundreds of buildings, are not open to inspection without prior notice. Under this program, Saddam will show the inspectors and the world empty buildings, while covertly continuing his weapons programs. One of his former weapons developers has testified that this was Saddam's regular practice while the U.N. inspectors were taking their action in other places. Faced with these facts, I am convinced that Congress must give the President the authority and the flexibility he needs to confront this threat. The authorization of use of force against Iraq in this resolution does just that. While we hope the diplomatic efforts will be successful, we must be prepared to act if they are not. Certainly military action against Iraq, if it becomes necessary, will involve risk. However, the risk posed by delaying action are even greater. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. RYUN of Kansas

Mr. RYUN of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 428, I was inadvertently detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. RYUN of Kansas

Mr. RYUN of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to consider the consequences that the marriage tax penalty holds for married couples and for those considering marriage. The American people are asking why couples should be penalized $1,400 just for saying ``I do.'' Those who choose marriage as a way of life to raise their children in America today deserve to be rewarded and not penalized. The marriage tax penalty discourages couples from entering the sacred institution of marriage. Married couples with stay-at-home mothers often have to seek out employment while trying to raise a family just to pay their taxes. While our recent tax cuts began the process of alleviating the tax burden on married couples, one simple truth remains. The marriage tax penalty will be back in full force by the year 2011, when the scheduled cuts will expire and the penalty will be reinstated. I urge each of us to consider the negative consequences that await us if the marriage tax penalty is not permanently removed. Let us end this regressive tax once and for all.

Mr. RYUN of Kansas

Mr. RYUN of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the rule, H.R. 4691. Today we have the opportunity to support freedom of conscience for those in our health care system and who have invested their lives in caring for their fellow Americans. Forty-six States protect hospitals and health care professionals who choose not to participate in abortions; and even though there is existing law, Federal law, intended to protect individuals and entities from being forced to participate in an abortion, clarification is still needed, and that is what we are doing today. Some hospitals and doctors are being forced to go against their conscience and provide abortion services. In spite of existing law, this coercion still exists. For example, the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League has a project in Maryland that aims to require every Maryland hospital to provide abortion services. H.R. 4691 will guarantee that hospitals, insurance companies, and health care professionals will not be forced to take part in a procedure that they deem morally wrong and disagree with. Whether one supports a right to life or a right to abortion, participating in or paying for abortion should not be forced upon anyone. I urge Members to stand with me in supporting this rule and our constituents' freedom of conscience.

Mr. RYUN of Kansas

Mr. RYUN of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, in 1996 Congress set out on an ambitious plan to transform welfare from a program that kept people dependent upon government handouts to a structure that empowers people on their own to be self-sufficient. Today, I believe we can declare welfare reform a huge success. Consider these facts: The poverty gap for families with children has decreased by over $4 billion since 1996. Hunger among children has been cut in half, and the poverty rate for African American children is at its lowest point in U.S. history. Success stories abound. One of my constituents, Dorothy, reports that when she was hit hard several years ago, she participated in an innovative program designed to help people become more self-sufficient. Once on the verge of bankruptcy, she is now employed and regularly contributes to a savings account in hopes that one day, one day, she will be owning a home. The House passed H.R. 4737 to reauthorize the welfare reform program last May. The Senate has not acted on it. All of us on Capitol Hill must continue on the path of reform by working together to send a welfare reform authorization to the President this month. Support the rule and give our constituents the well-deserved opportunity to have a hand up, not a handout.

Mr. RYUN of Kansas

Mr. RYUN of Kansas. Mr. Chairman, the new Department of Homeland Security will be on the front lines in the war on terrorism. The people who will fulfill the Department's mission must be highly qualified, motivated, and effective. In attracting and keeping this team, we will be competing against the private sector. Recognizing these challenges, the President asked the Congress to give him the maximum flexibility in putting together and managing the Department's workforce. The legislation crafted by the select committee gives the President the flexibility he requested while at the same time preserving a number of important employment protections. This approach represents what is best for both the Nation's security and those who will serve in this new Department. First of all, the bill allows the Secretary to develop a performance management program that effectively links employee performance with the Department's objectives and mission. Secondly, the Secretary will have the freedom to use a broad approach in making job classifications and will not be bound by our current system that confines Federal workers to 15 artificial grades. Additionally, the Secretary will not be restricted by the current rigid pay system. Rather, the Secretary will be able to meaningfully reward performance. We are engaged in a different kind of war. We face a new enemy. We must adapt to meet this new threat. This bill ensures that we will adapt to overcome these new threats. I urge my colleagues to support the select committee's bill and vote against Frost-Waxman.

Mr. RYUN of Kansas

Mr. RYUN of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, shortly after the events of September 11, we made a promise that we would fight the war on terror to its finish in order to ensure security of every American. Recognizing this, President Bush has outlined a plan to consolidate homeland security functions into the Department of Homeland Security. The President warned us that making such a major change could be very contentious and this has been proven to be somewhat true. Some are afraid that the traditional missions not related to homeland security may not be adequately filled after restructuring. Others simply balk at the idea of leaving the status quo. We must use every resource to ensure that the loss of innocent life does not occur again. To achieve that again, we will cut through bureaucracies and consolidate numerous agencies to ensure that future terrorist attacks are prevented. Our best tool to accomplish this goal is to establish a Department of Homeland Security. Let us keep our promise to the American people.

Mr. RYUN of Kansas

Mr. RYUN of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4965, the partial-birth abortion ban, and its rule as well. Partial- birth abortion is a cruel and painful procedure. In this method the child is partially delivered. Only the baby's head is inside the mother's body. At this point the doctor inserts scissors into the baby's skull and removes the baby's brains with suction. It is a medical fact that unborn infants can feel the pain of scissors puncturing their skull. In fact, the baby's perception of pain is even more intense at this early stage of life. A practice such as this has no place in the medical field. Even the physician credited with developing this procedure agrees that no medical situation exists to warrant the use of partial-birth abortion. Aside from being cruel to the infant, it poses a serious health risk for the mother, including complications with future pregnancies and even death. We must protect these precious lives, these precious infants, who are only moments away from their first breath. I urge my colleagues in joining me in voting to ban partial-birth abortion and to support the rule.

Mr. RYUN of Kansas

Mr. RYUN of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the accomplishments of the high school boy's athletic teams in Pittsburg, Kansas. Last fall, the St. Mary's-Colgan Panthers began their school year by taking the state championship in football. They followed that by winning the state basketball championship in double overtime. The eyes of people all over Kansas turned to this small school recognizing their amazing accomplishment. The Panthers then attempted to complete the trifecta with a baseball championship. They finished the state baseball tournament a respectable second. However, the Panthers already had a rich baseball tradition, including state championships in four of the past six years. As a former Olympian, I can appreciate the hard work, perseverance and grit that it takes to reach this level of athletic achievement. I want to add my congratulations to this outstanding school and let them know that I, along with the rest of Kansas, eagerly anticipate their next season.

Mr. RYUN of Kansas

Mr. RYUN of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, regrettably, last night I was unable to return to the House to vote on H.R. 3482, H.R. 4755, and H.R. 3479. I ask unanimous consent that the record reflect that had I been present for the votes, I would have voted no on H.R. 3479, and would have voted yea on H.R. 4755 and 3482.

Mr. RYUN of Kansas

Mr. RYUN of Kansas. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, the problem we are faced with is that the House has twice voted to set an overall discretionary spending level at $748 billion for fiscal year 2003. The Senate has yet to pass a budget, and that should give us all great concern. President Bush has endorsed the House spending level and indicated in numerous speeches that he will use his veto, if necessary, to enforce the House discretionary spending levels. Because the House spending level is nearly identical to President Bush's fiscal year 2003 request, any increase above the request will need to be offset by a decrease in another spending bill. Three of the four nondefense bills reported by the Committee on Appropriations are significantly above the President's request. The Interior bill is $775 million over the request. The Treasury bill is $538 million, the agriculture bill is $550 million, and the fourth bill is the only one that really meets the requested level. Collectively, these bills add up to $1.8 billion above the request. We have to have the money from some place. In order to pay for the increased spending in these and other bills, the committee is proposing a $400 million reduction in the President's request for Commerce, Justice, and State, and a $1.8 billion reduction for the request of the Veterans, HUD, and FEMA bill, and I do not think that is right. If the House passes the first appropriations bills at levels significantly above the request, then we will be forced at the end to either break the budget or pass a Veterans, HUD and FEMA bill at levels significantly below the request. Should the House pass the bills that are below that request before passing any bill above the request, we will have a problem later with the budget, and I think it is important that we show fiscal discipline and do so at the very outset instead of waiting until later.