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Unrelated spending loads bill to aid troops
At the same time, the majority party's leadership is using this bill, which is intended to provide funding for our troops, as a means to appropriate billions of tax dollars in unrelated and unauthorized spending. Perhaps the most egregious example of abuse of power during my tenure in Congress is the Democratic majority choosing to craft this supplemental spending bill - an estimated $245 billion bill - behind closed doors, out of the public view, and without the participation of a large majority of elected Members of Congress. The bill would authorize upwards of $245 billion in taxpayer money, will bypass the committee process altogether. Debate on the House floor will be limited, effectively shutting out all but a handful of legislators from having any say in what the final bill looks like. In order to increase its chances of passage, Democrats are stuffing the bill with billions of tax dollars in unrelated spending. News reports indicate the bill will include: • $9 billion in funding for the State Department, USAID, and other foreign assistance operations and programs overseas, • $500 million in increased funding over the president's request for international food aid, • $5.8 billion in funding to Louisiana levees, • $17 billion for energy tax credits, • $12 billion for an extension in unemployment payments, • $200 million in funding for the Bureau of Prisons, and • $200 million in additional dollars to fund shortfalls related to the Census. While some of these projects may be worthwhile, it is irresponsible to add them to the bill intended to fund our troops. These provisions should go through the normal legislative process. If the delays continue, 490,000 active duty military troops will face the prospect of no paycheck in June and 300,000 military families could lose their housing benefits. USS Independence Rolls Out You may have noticed a recent addition to the waters of the Mobile River. Late last month, the Navy's new Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), built by General Dynamics and Austal USA made its debut. The USS Independence Littoral Combat Ship, an aluminum trimaran, was introduced to the public with a rollout at the Austal shipyard. As you may know, the LCS is a brand new class of fast, highly maneuverable ship designed to carry the fight to the enemy in areas close to shore. It will be the world's most advanced high speed military sea craft. I am extremely pleased that the Navy has shown such confidence in General Dynamics and its Mobile-based partner, Austal, USA, and I am proud of the people of southwest Alabama - and the entire Gulf Coast region - who built this new class of Navy combat ship. Mobile has a strong naval heritage, and this program opens yet another chapter in that rich history. It is gratifying to see companies like Austal, USA create good, high-paying jobs that are so important to our local economy.
My staff and I work for you. If we can ever be of service, do not hesitate to call my office toll free at 1-800-288-8721 or visit my website at http://bonner.house.gov.
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