H8276 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE September 16, 2003 in this body and by the first President ther into debt have the leadership say and reconstruction activities in Iraq. Bush who displayed leadership quali- and now we need tax cuts more than That number is larger than rumored a ties which unfortunately seem to be ever. I thank the gentleman from Vir- couple of weeks ago, caught most Mem- missing at the White House right now. ginia (Mr. SCOTT) for this very useful bers of Congress by surprise, although There was a budget agreement in 1990 discussion. we knew a big request was coming cer- concluded on bipartisan terms, and Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, tainly, on top of the $79 billion re- then a budget passed entirely with I want to end with this chart that re- quested and approved last April for fis- Democratic votes in 1993; the economy minds people of the hole that we have cal year 2003. Many of us feel that we responded positively to that discipline dug ourselves into. And when people need more information from the ad- and it thrived in the 1990s, and we got ask what is the Democratic plan, I just ministration at this point before deal- out of deficit spending and ran $400 bil- point to the green because that was ing with this supplemental request for lion in surpluses and paid off a chunk done without any Republican assist- $87 billion for activities in Iraq. No one of that national debt. Just think what ance, and here we are right now. As we in this Congress wants to do anything would be the case if we could have con- look at how dire this situation is, we that hurts the troops in the field. Of all tinued on that path. have to look forward to the Social Se- the things going on regarding Iraq, the Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, curity situation where we will not diplomacy, the reconstruction, the the projection was by 2011 and 2013, we enjoy a nice surplus year after year. comments about weapons of mass de- would have paid off the entire national We are going to have a challenge of struction, the comments about our al- debt and had no interest on the na- deficits in the Social Security plan lies, the activities of the Ambassador, tional debt to pay year after year. that we could have covered with just Mr. Bremer, of all the things happening Mr. HOLT. I seem to recall standing what the 1 percent got in the 2001, not in Iraq, the only truly good thing is the here on the floor with the gentleman the 2003, not what everybody got, but behavior of the troops. Our young men from Virginia (Mr. SCOTT) and the gen- the top 1 percent got in 2001 would have and women in uniform have performed tleman from North Carolina (Mr. been more than enough to cover all of brilliantly during the period of time PRICE) 3 years ago saying that the ma- this deficit. But we have a challenge when active warfare was under way and jority should not be so quick to spend with Social Security, and we are going during the period of time after victory this surplus. They began salivating at in the wrong direction. I thank all was declared by the President but the the sight of this projected surplus. I re- Members that participated tonight be- guerrilla war has continued and over call my friends here saying number cause we have to remind people how 100 Americans have been attacked and one, it is projected; number two, things bad a situation it is. assassinated by those guerrilla warfare happen. We should not spend it all tactics in Iraq, the men and women of down. We should not give it all back in b 2230 the Armed Services have really per- tax cuts; there might be some unfore- We can change directions as we did in formed brilliantly and have done all seen events. Well, indeed there were. It 1993 and go back to fiscal sanity, go Americans proud. So the issue is not happened on September 11; it happened back and do a surplus, pay off the na- whether we support the troops in the with a stock market bubble popping. tional debt, or we can continue in the field. We all do. Of course we do. And We were caught unprepared because direction we are going now. We will we also want to make sure that we live the budget allowed absolutely no lee- make those decisions in the upcoming up to our commitments, that we see way. It was built on the most opti- weeks. I thank the gentlemen for par- this challenge through. Some of us who mistic of circumstances and pre- ticipating. engage in Iraq Watch, such as myself, dictions, as well as, I would say, the f voted in favor of the military author- greediest of ingredients. ity sought by the President last fall. IRAQ WATCH Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Just to Some of us voted no. But all of us un- add to the gentleman’s thought, we got The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. derstand, now that the military activ- off of a disciplined path toward debt re- KLINE). Under the Speaker’s announced ity has occurred, we have an obligation duction. Whatever else we did in the policy of January 7, 2003, the gen- to see this process through. We cannot way of new investments or tax cuts, we tleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. cut and run. We cannot leave Iraq with certainly should have reserved a cer- HOEFFEL) is recognized for 60 minutes. no functioning government. We cannot tain amount of that anticipated rev- Mr. HOEFFEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise leave a vacuum, a power vacuum that enue to protect Social Security in the tonight to start another of the Iraq would allow the bandits and the bad future and to protect ourselves against Watches that we have been conducting guys to resume power using the weap- exactly the kind of eventuality we are for the past 2 months or so. The first ons that they have and once again sub- now facing. night of each week that we are in ses- jugate innocent Iraqi civilians. But in I thank the gentleman from Virginia sion, a group of us come to the floor to the face of this very large request for (Mr. SCOTT) for a helpful discussion. As talk about Iraq, to talk about the for- $87 billion, about two-thirds of which we face this $87 billion supplemental tunes of our fighting forces and our re- would go to our military operations appropriations request, of course, we lief workers who are toiling in that and about one-third of which would go will do the right thing by our troops in country. We talk about the problems to reconstruction costs, many of us in Iraq and Afghanistan and meet our that we see, we suggest changes in our Congress feel that we need more infor- international obligations, but we will national policy, we ask questions of mation from the administration. and we should ask some tough ques- the administration and seek answers, I would put into three categories the tions of this administration for an ac- both for the Congress and for the questions that we have and the infor- counting of where we have been thus American people. I have been joined mation we are seeking: The first is far and where we are going, and above each week, and I will be as well to- simply more information on the cost of all, how we are going to pay for this night, by the gentleman from Massa- our activities, the length of time that and how this fits in with the overall chusetts (Mr. DELAHUNT), the gen- the military operations would be ex- fiscal health of the country we love. tleman from Hawaii (Mr. ABERCROMBIE) pected to continue, the length of time Mr. HOLT. The gentleman from Ha- and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. that the reconstruction would last, ac- waii (Mr. CASE) said it very well, it EMANUEL). We have often been joined curate information regarding the would be easier for us to deal with this by other Members. We would welcome whereabouts of the weapons of mass de- with the $87 billion, with all of the eco- all Members of the House to partici- struction, the casualty lists of Amer- nomic problems facing us, if the leader- pate tonight or in future Iraq Watches. ican soldiers wounded and otherwise ship here and the leadership down the Democrats and Republicans are wel- incapacitated in Iraq. We need more avenue would level with the American come to participate during this hour of good information about what is hap- people about how this happened. I discussion. pening over there, and we need the full think that is what the American people Mr. Speaker, recently the President truth about the problems and the bad ask, is that their leaders level with has sought $87 billion for fiscal year information that is happening there. them and not just go on as we go fur- 2004 to pay for our military operation The administration has not been as

VerDate jul 14 2003 05:33 Sep 17, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00054 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K16SE7.106 H16PT1 September 16, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H8277 forthcoming as most of us would like it President when he was running for of- can leave? We have to know where we to be over the past 6 months. And now fice but a concept that he now em- are going in order to get started. At that an $87 billion request has been braces, although not by name, as he is least I would recommend that. It seems made for the upcoming fiscal year, this urging that America, virtually alone, like an awful lot of what has happened is the time surely for President Bush undertake nation-building in Iraq. in Iraq got started without knowing to come clean with Congress, to level Most of us would like to see this proc- where we are going and we should not with the American people, to provide ess internationalized. We need to see a allow that to continue any further. answers to these questions, to provide plan from the President to figure out Keep in mind, this war was waged at a as much information as possible re- how to do it, how long it will take and time of our choosing and it would seem garding not only the current activity how much it will cost. to me that the American military and in Iraq but what he foresees coming The second part of the plan we need the administration would have done a down the pike in terms of cost, time- is to determine how to get Iraqis back better job with the planning for both table, manpower needed, resources in charge of Iraq. It will not be easy to the war and the postwar activities. One needed, what the prospects are for do that. Iraq does not have a tradition thing Congress has not done well re- being joined by allies and friends. We of self-government. It does not have a garding Iraq in the last year is require need more information. tradition of democracy. I believe that that information to be divulged and Secondly, related to that but I think all people in the world are capable of the plans to be articulated and the exit a second category, we need a specific self-government. I think all Members strategy to be set forth. The one great plan for what will be happening in Iraq, of the Congress believe that, but those power Congress has, the one great con- really in two parts. One for the inter- that do not have a tradition of it, those stitutional power is the power of the nationalization, if you will, of the ac- that have dealt with powerful elites in purse. We control the pursestrings. We tivity there and the second half of the their country that have abused average determine how much money is spent. plan would be how to get Iraqis back in citizens, recognize that they need as- That power ultimately, slowly but ulti- charge of Iraq. In order to internation- sistance. They need assistance building mately brought the Vietnam War to a alize the operations, we need to turn to the institutions of liberty and democ- close a generation ago. We must exer- our traditional friends and allies, to racy, institutions like a free press, in- cise that power of the purse now, re- international organizations such as the stitutions like a free and corruption- sponsibly, in a way that is true to United Nations, perhaps NATO, to seek free court system, institutions such as American ideals, that keeps our com- their support, to seek their manpower, a civil society, documents like a Con- mitments to the people of Iraq but to seek their dollars and their re- stitution, a written Constitution that nonetheless that clearly sets forth our sources to help rebuild Iraq, to help all members of a country, all groups constitutional requirements and obli- empower the people of that country within a country have a stake in and gations to control the pursestrings, to economically and to bring a new gov- have a role in determining. All these make sure we know how American tax- ernment and a new freedom and democ- things have to be accomplished in Iraq payer dollars will be spent and make racy to the Iraqi people. I do not be- and we need to know how to do that, sure that those dollars are spent pursu- lieve America should try to do that how to build these institutions of lib- ant to full information from the White alone. I do not believe we have got the erty. House, a plan from the White House on resources to adequately do that when We need to know a timetable: How how to internationalize the reconstruc- we are facing the huge budget deficits long is it likely to take to get Iraqis tion and how to put Iraqis back in that we already face in this country. back in charge of Iraq? What will it charge of Iraq, and, finally, spending We need our friends and allies to be in- cost? How much support do we need? money pursuant to an exit strategy. volved. Of course we all remember the How much training must there be? How virtual stiff-arm that the President much do we need to expand the exist- b 2245 gave to our friends and allies in the ing interim governing committee that When will it end and how will we run-up to the military activity in Iraq. has been created? Who else needs to be know that it has ended? I call upon the There was an arrogant unilateral ap- involved in establishing that group, to President to give that information to proach to our diplomacy, what I called give it more credibility and a greater the Congress in order for us to cast an at the time a cowboy diplomacy that representation from all segments of educated vote on his request for $87 bil- indicated to our friends and allies that Iraq? So we clearly need, after we get lion. we did not need their help, that we more information from the President At this point I have been joined by could go it alone, that they should get of the United States and after he devel- the gentleman from Massachusetts out of the way, particularly the old Eu- ops and gives us a plan for both the (Mr. DELAHUNT), my colleague and sen- rope, as the Secretary of Defense char- internationalization of the reconstruc- ior member from the House Committee acterized it, and allow us to do our tion and how to get Iraqis back in on International Relations and an elo- thing without a lot of hassle from our charge of Iraq, the third thing that we quent member of the Iraq Watch. I wel- pesky allies. Of course it is those need is an exit strategy, when can we come the gentleman. ‘‘pesky allies’’ that we are going to leave, how long must we stay and how Mr. DELAHUNT. Mr. Speaker, good now, that the President is seeking sup- much will it cost us to do the things evening, and I thank the gentleman port from, that the President is hoping that are needed? from Pennsylvania (Mr. HOEFFEL) by going to the United Nations that he As I said at the outset, all of us, again for being the driving force behind can attract into what seems to be a whether we voted for or against the our weekly efforts to raise questions quagmire in Iraq. war in Iraq, understand now that we that we believe have to be answered to So we need a plan here. We need more have conquered the nation. In a rather educate the American people and to than the President saying, we’re going crude phrase, we now own the nation. educate Members of Congress as to to go to the U.N. and seek their sup- We cannot walk away. We have a moral what direction prospectively we should port. We need to know how that sup- obligation to see this situation undertake. port will be put together, how much of through, to make sure that there is a I think for a moment, though, we it we need, how much of it we have a stable and representative and hopefully should go back and review our earlier realistic chance of securing, what it democratic government in Iraq before call to the President to agree to an will take to get the United Nations we leave or the Western powers leave. independent commission to examine fully engaged. It seems to me that one But we also need to know from the the intelligence that was the basis for thing it will take is to allow the United President before we vote this $87 bil- American military intervention into Nations to do its job as a peacekeeper lion what that exit strategy is and how Iraq because there continue to be ques- and a reconstructor and a redeveloper long he thinks it will take and what tions raised by senior members of the of nations, as a nation-builder, if you standards we want to accomplish in administration, and if the gentleman will. Because that is what the United achieving the status that would allow will remember, our insistence on an Nations is there for, to nation-build, a us to leave. And how will we measure independent commission was to concept that was disparaged by the our progress toward that date when we depoliticize such an effort. I think we

VerDate jul 14 2003 05:33 Sep 17, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00055 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K16SE7.107 H16PT1 H8278 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE September 16, 2003 had discussed here one evening the pos- ticular issue or have had conversations ‘‘A senior defense official’’ in this sibility of the commission that was with Members of Congress indicate particular administration ‘‘with access chaired by two former Senators, one a that there is no basis in fact for that to high-level intelligence reports ex- highly-respected Republican from New allegation, and yet the Vice President, pressed confusion yesterday.’’ A senior Hampshire, Warren Rudman, and an- when interviewed by Mr. Tim Russert defense official within the administra- other former Democratic Senator from on Meet the Press, raises that issue tion himself expressed confusion ‘‘over Colorado, Gary Hart. They chaired a again. I am sure there is confusion the Vice President’s decision to reair commission which tragically foretold among the American people when they charges that have been dropped by al- almost in a way that eerily predicted read well-respected journals, when they most everyone else.’’ He said, ‘‘There the tragedy that beset America on Sep- listen to thoughtful programs on these isn’t any new intelligence that would tember 11 and the need to address it. particular issues, and while not with- precipitate anything like this,’ the of- I think it is important to note that out some equivocation, the Vice Presi- ficial said, speaking on condition he that particular commission filed its re- dent of the United States continues to not be named.’’ port some 8 or 9 months before Sep- use the Mohamed Atta meeting in But this underscores the need to have tember 11. In fact, I think the exact Prague as a basis to establish a link be- this independent commission. Again, date was on February 15, and unfortu- tween Saddam Hussein and al Qaeda. the prototype is there, the Rudman- nately no action was taken on that Mr. HOEFFEL. Mr. Speaker, will the Hart Commission that did such an out- particular report. I do not mean to sug- gentleman yield? standing job in terms of depicting the gest that it would have in any way Mr. DELAHUNT. Certainly. Mr. HOEFFEL. Mr. Speaker, I am threat of a terrorist attack against the forestalled September 11, but I guess United States months before Sep- the answer to that rhetorical question afraid that there is very little confu- sion among the American people about tember 11, statements like that that is that we will never know if we had were made on Meet the Press create acted earlier, both Congress and the that. Unfortunately, the polls show that two thirds of Americans believe confusion. Let us be clear, there is no Bush-Cheney Administration. one, it would appear, in the adminis- But in any event, that independent that Hussein was behind 9/11, even though as the gentleman from Massa- tration other than the Vice President commission, for example, would ad- that would not agree that this piece of dress such questions as to the pur- chusetts has correctly pointed out there is not a shred of evidence that evidence has been discredited. Why cre- ported links between al Qaeda and Sad- ate confusion? Let the case for the dam Hussein. I believe that most Saddam Hussein, as evil as he is, there is no evidence that he was behind 9/11. military intervention rise and fall on Americans that are conversant with the facts. That is all we ask. And as we the intelligence have reached the con- But the administration has repeatedly suggested it. The Vice President’s tele- have said consistently among ourselves clusion that there is absolutely no evi- vision appearance on Sunday was one during the hour that we spend here, dence whatsoever that would link al of a long series of such suggestions. some of us supported the President in Qaeda to Saddam Hussein and that The President himself in his speech of terms of the request for a resolution Saddam Hussein had anything to do a week ago wanted people to believe authorizing the military intervention. with September 11. Was he an evil ty- that stopping the terrorists in Iraq was Others of us disagreed. But let us rant, a despot that wreaked havoc on part of dealing with the people that eliminate the confusion. Let us just get his people? Of course. I think there is have led to 9/11, and it is a repeated to the truth, the truth with no polit- unanimity among the American people theme of the administration, and it is ical overtones, the truth so that the and Members of Congress on both sides a shame. I can only conclude that it is American people can have confidence of the aisle that, yes, the world is bet- not only a misleading effort to make a in the integrity of our intelligence. Let ter off by having Saddam Hussein out false connection, but it is an inten- us not continue to reair, as the report of power. But I think it is important tionally misleading effort, and this is a in the Globe indicated, a piece of evi- not to just simply accept the fact that tough situation. It is tough enough to dence that, yes, this administration re- there is linkage between al Qaeda and try to find out what happened. It is lied on substantially as establishing a Saddam Hussein because, again, most very unfortunate that the American link that somehow Saddam Hussein intelligence reports and intelligence people have been fooled in that way. was behind 9/11. I mean it is not right, analysts have been very clear that no Hussein is bad enough. We should deal and it is not fair to the American peo- such intelligence exists. ple. I mean prominent antiterrorism However, this past weekend, I do not with him for his own evil record, and we do not need to fool people or to experts such as Vincent Cannistraro know whether the gentleman had an that many of us have observed on CNN opportunity to hear the Vice President draw false conclusions, and I commend the gentleman for pointing out in great and other news shows and is well-re- again suggest, not directly but suggest, spected among his colleagues, he is a that somehow Saddam Hussein was be- detail this problem. Mr. DELAHUNT. Mr. Speaker, if the former CIA agent and I am quoting hind September 11. He raised the issue, gentleman would yield, there was a re- him, said that Cheney’s ‘‘willingness to for example, of the ring leader, the port today, a front-page story in my use speculation and conjecture as facts operational ring leader of al Qaeda and hometown newspaper, the Boston in public presentations is appalling. its attack on September 11, an indi- Globe, and just let me read an excerpt. It’s astounding.’’ vidual by the name of Mohamed Atta ‘‘Multiple intelligence officials said b 2300 as having met a senior Iraqi intel- that the Prague meeting, purported to ligence agent in Prague, Czecho- be between Atta and a senior Iraqi in- Well, I do not know, but I do know slovakia, when our own FBI has indi- telligence officer by the name of this: this underscores the need to cated that there are documents that Ahmed Khalil Ibrahim Samir al-Ani, depoliticize as we go into a Presi- establish that Mohamed Atta was, in was dismissed almost immediately dential campaign a review of the intel- fact, in the United States during the after it was reported by Czech officials ligence in the information that led this time involved. And what I found par- in the aftermath of September 11 and administration to launch a war. And ticularly disturbing is that that senior has since been discredited further. The that received considerable support Iraqi intelligence officer whom it was CIA reported to Congress last year that from Congress. alleged that Mohammed Atta of al it could not substantiate the claim Because today at a hearing in the Qaeda met with in Prague, Czecho- while American records indicate Atta Committee on International Relations, slovakia in April of 2001, 4 or 5 months was in Virginia Beach, Virginia at the a subcommittee hearing on the Middle before September 11, he has been cap- time, the officials said yesterday. In- East, Undersecretary John Bolton stat- tured. He has been captured by the deed, two intelligence officials said ed that, relative to Syria, all options American military, and media reports yesterday that Ani himself,’’ this sen- were on the table, including regime indicate that he refuted the claim, that ior Iraqi intelligence official, ‘‘now in change. And that was the position of he was very clear, he never met with U.S. custody, has also refuted the re- the President and the administration. Mohamed Atta. And all intelligence port. The Czech Government has also He was testifying relative to Syria and analysts that have spoken on this par- distanced itself from its original claim. its weapons of mass destruction. So I

VerDate jul 14 2003 05:33 Sep 17, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00056 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K16SE7.109 H16PT1 September 16, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H8279 presume that includes a military op- gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. from a young soldier in Baghdad saying tion. DELAHUNT) said, the Vice President re- that the men in his group were con- Is this administration going to have peated. cerned that they had cheap armor that any credibility if it goes before the So we need a bipartisan, independent was incapable of stopping bullets; and international community and indicates commission to study the intelligence they wondered why they could not have that we will exercise that military op- and its usage before the fighting start- the best protection possible under the tion in the case of Syria? And what ed in Iraq, because it is hard to con- circumstances. about North Korea? What about Iran? clude anything other than the Congress But, anyway, of this $87 billion, a We have got to sustain our credi- and the American people were not told large part of it will go to providing for bility. And the best way to do it is to the full truth; that we were told things our troops, and we want to support have an independent commission com- existed with complete certainty, that that; but approximately $20 billion, my prised of prominent Americans whose the administration was telling them understanding is, approximately $20 credibility is unimpeached, who are that, when in fact when they were billion is for the reconstruction of Iraq. not, as we all are, impacted or influ- making those claims there was great The question that I think the Amer- enced by the politics of an election uncertainty. ican people should be asking the Presi- campaign, whether we be Democrat or I would like to ask the gentleman dent and this Congress is what are your whether we be Republican. The Amer- from Ohio (Mr. STRICKLAND) to share a priorities? Why is it so easy to ask for ican people have a right to the unvar- few words. multiple billions of dollars for Iraq and nished truth. Mr. STRICKLAND. I want to thank for the rebuilding of Iraq, when we are Mr. HOEFFEL. Mr. Speaker, before the gentleman from Pennsylvania. underfunding our most basic needs here we introduce some colleagues that I was standing here listening to the at home, veterans health care, by $1.8 have joined us, I want to echo the gen- gentleman, and I am thinking to my- billion? tleman’s comments and join his call for self, these are very serious accusations; If there are veterans listening, they an independent commission to review that this administration, this Presi- may think STRICKLAND can’t be telling the intelligence that was collected and dent, his staff, were not fully candid the truth. This President would cer- analyzed before we went to war and to with the American people, and con- tainly not take such a position with review the use that that intelligence sequently we find ourselves in a situa- VA health care. I would just encourage was put to. tion where today the polls tell us that them perhaps to contact their veterans I can tell this House that I attended a vast majority of the American people service organizations, the VFW, the a briefing with about 20 Members of the believe that Saddam Hussein was in American Legion, the Disabled Amer- House, a bipartisan group on October 2, some way responsible for what hap- ican Veterans, the Veterans of Foreign 2002, at the White House in the Roo- pened on September 11, 2001. There is Wars, the Vietnam Vets. All of these sevelt Room where George Tenet and no credible evidence to support that groups know what is happening to VA Condoleezza Rice briefed this bipar- conclusion. The President needs to say health care. tisan group of Members. so. And the representations were made I watched Vice President CHENEY on b 2310 by those two leading members of the television this past Sunday. I was administration that with complete cer- stunned that even at this time, after It just troubles me that we seem so tainty they were sure that Saddam the evidence is so crystal clear, he is willing to ask for so much for Iraq and Hussein had an active weapons of mass still holding on to these, what I would for other places around this world and destruction program, that he had an consider, fabrications. The American yet we are neglecting the most basic active biological weapon component, people I think can be trusted with the needs at home. And surely, if we are an active chemical weapons compo- truth. But without the truth, the going to set priorities, we should put nent, that he was restarting a nuclear American people simply do not know the American needs first and other component, that he was quite likely to where to go for the truth or who to be- needs second or third or fourth. be giving these weapons to terrorists lieve. So I just wanted to point that out. I and the rest. And there was no uncer- Now, I was listening to the two of think it is appropriate that we ask the tainty expressed whatsoever. you earlier in my apartment, and I administration these questions: what We have now learned, as reports have wanted to come over and share some- are you going to do with that money? been declassified, that the White House thing that I think is relevant to this And one more thing before I stop. Mr. was being told in a September, 2002, discussion, at least in a tangential Speaker, before this last request for $87 Defense Intelligence Agency report and way. billion, a lot of money had already in an October, 2002, National Intel- Earlier today, I was over on the Sen- been spent in Iraq, and my under- ligence Estimate that there was great ate side participating in a House-Sen- standing is the Halliburton Corpora- uncertainty among the intelligence ate joint committee meeting of the tion, the former employer of Vice agencies, including Mr. Tenet’s CIA. Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. The President CHENEY, received an unbid The parts that had been declassified national commander of the American contract in the range of $1.7 billion. I have been reported in the press, Legion gave testimony to us today, and think it is appropriate that we ask the phrases such as ‘‘no credible evidence he told us what we all know, that we President to commit to us that if we existing of an Iraqi chemical weapons are underfunding VA health care by approve this funding that he has asked program.’’ $1.8 billion. for, that none of it, absolutely not a I have read those reports that the Now, I think it is relevant, because dollar of it will go to corporations, Hal- House Permanent Select Committee on the President has recently come to us liburton or any other corporation Intelligence has made available to and he has asked for $87 billion addi- under an unbid process. The American Members that have not yet been de- tional, on top of what has already been people need to know that the tax dol- classified. appropriated for fiscal year 2003. $87 lars they pay and the money that is ap- While none of us are free to quote billion. propriated for these needs are spent what we have seen, we can talk about As the gentleman has said and we all wisely, and we ought to have an open, our conclusions. And just as the pub- believe, we will do whatever we must transparent process. No more of this lished reports have indicated, what I do to care for our troops, to make sure unbid contract stuff that leaves us read was full of uncertainties, ex- they have adequate equipment and pro- wondering, at least I am wondering, pressed hesitations, ‘‘we are not sure tection, and I understand $300 million whether or not there was some deal, about this,’’ ‘‘we are not sure about to $400 million of that request from the whether or not there was some sweet- that.’’ But that is not at all what the President is to perhaps purchase body heart arrangement that enabled this administration figures were telling armor for our soldiers, armor that I company or some other company to get Congress in private briefings or to the think they should have had a long time access to large amounts of American American people in public statements, ago, because, as I shared not many tax dollars without having to go repeated as recently as Sunday, as the nights ago on this floor, I got a letter through a competitive bidding process.

VerDate jul 14 2003 06:09 Sep 17, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00057 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K16SE7.111 H16PT1 H8280 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE September 16, 2003 I think that is the least the adminis- on multiple occasions, and he said he to level with the American people at tration can do, is to make that com- was too busy to ask about our search the beginning about what this project mitment to us. for weapons of mass destruction in was going to cost. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate my col- Iraq. In fact, we have 1,500 people at I was just at a charity event and I leagues allowing me to participate to- least who have been scouring Iraq for ran into a gentleman who works for night. I will stick around and listen to months now to try to find evidence of the American Society of Civil Engi- what else is going to be said here. I weapons of mass destruction and have neers. He showed me this report card thank the gentleman. not turned up a gram of weapons of that the Society of Civil Engineers just Mr. HOEFFEL. Mr. Speaker, I appre- mass destruction. did about the status of American infra- ciate the gentleman’s comments, as al- To me, this administration has some structure in this country, and they ba- ways. We have been joined by our col- answering to do to the American peo- sically gave a grade to all of our infra- league, the gentleman from Wash- ple, and this body of the U.S. Congress structure: our bridges, our roads; ington (Mr. INSLEE). has an obligation to get to the bottom wastewater had a D, drinking water Mr. INSLEE. Mr. Speaker, I am glad of why this false information led us had a D, dams a D, solid waste, C plus, to be here. I just want to relate to my into a war. That is why I am proud to hazardous waste, D plus, energy, D colleagues a couple of communications say I am one of the Members calling for plus. Basically, America’s infrastruc- that I was very impressed with that I a bipartisan, bicameral investigation, ture, GPA, D plus, with a backlog of in- got in the last 2 days. The first was led by a prominent Republican, to find vestment needs of $1.6 trillion, $1.6 tril- from a letter from a marine who is out why our sons and daughters were lion to fix our electrical system and from Colfax, Washington, who was very sent into war based on this faulty in- our roads and our bridges and our early in the operation in Iraq, who is formation. We have an obligation to schools. But this President cannot af- now recovering in Colfax after he was get to the bottom of that, not only for ford to do it when he wants the tax- involved in an incident where a tank our soldiers and sailors who are at risk, payers to shell out $20 billion for the basically slid off a road and came down but for the future of our future secu- infrastructure of Iraq, because he will and crushed and killed the Marine rity efforts. not give up the tax cuts that have jeop- standing right next to him and totally When we deal with Iran, when we ardized our ability to move forward in crushed this Marine’s leg. They face the challenge in Iran, which is a this country. I yield to the gentleman. thought they were going to have to real nuclear threat, with a real nuclear Mr. DELAHUNT. Mr. Speaker, the take it off. He has kept it, and he is program; in North Korea, which is a estimates that we as Members of Con- now trying to get some weight back on real nuclear threat with a real nuclear gress were provided by the administra- it and he is recovering. It was a re- program, we cannot go to the inter- tion. If my colleagues remember, the markable letter I got from him because national community under this cloud head of the office of OMB, the Office of he talked with great pride about his of suspicion. We must peel it away, we Management and Budget, which is an service. He talked about his feeling for must get light, we must remove this arm of the White House, informed us the Iraqi people, and he talked about wound to our Nation’s credibility, and that the cost of the war was going to be the importance of the prayers and con- we need this commission to get that $50 billion. Well, the truth, and this is dolences he has received from all over done. what the American people have to un- the country. He got letters from all Mr. Speaker, I want to tell my col- derstand, we are already at $166 billion, over the country helping him get leagues I am just astounded by what I and that is the down payment. through this time of crisis. And it was heard this weekend from the Vice Mr. HOEFFEL. Mr. Speaker, does the really heartening just trying to read President, realizing that it is a tough gentleman remember that Lawrence this letter in the midst of what we job that we are in. But I was just Lindsey of the White House Budget Of- have been talking about, about sub- shocked and I want to quote what I am fice lost his job when he suggested that stantial controversy about what hap- told he said. I did not see the inter- the war in Iraq would cost between $100 pened in Iraq, to read a letter from view, but I am told he said in part, he and $200 billion? And as the gentleman somebody who felt so proud of his serv- said, ‘‘So what we do on the ground in says, that is exactly what it has cost to ice and is still in the recovery mode. Iraq, our capabilities here are being date, yet he got fired for telling the Our prayers and thoughts are with him. tested in no small measure. But this is truth. And I will not mention his name be- the place where we want to take on the Mr. DELAHUNT. But I would say to cause he is a humble person, so I will terrorists,’’ meaning Iraq. ‘‘This is the the gentleman, the truth is, that is a not mention his name tonight. place where we want to take on those down payment. The second communication was on elements that have come against the Mr. HOEFFEL. That is right. absolutely the opposite end of the spec- United States.’’ Mr. DELAHUNT. We are on our way, trum of at least how I viewed the com- After we have had 1,500 people scour- folks, we are on our way to $1 trillion. munication, and that was a commu- ing Iraq for months, and the intel- Mr. ABERCROMBIE. Mr. Speaker, nication from the Secretary of Defense, ligence service that reported to us that will the gentleman yield? Donald Rumsfeld, who went to Iraq a the two highest al Qaeda people we had Mr. DELAHUNT. Mr. Speaker, I will few weeks ago and toured Iraq. He was in captivity told us they did not have yield on that, to my good friend from asked in Iraq, Mr. Secretary, what did anything to do with Saddam Hussein, Hawaii (Mr. ABERCROMBIE) and a mem- you find about the weapons of mass de- because they did not trust him because ber of Iraq Watch. struction upon which you based a war, he is a seculist and they are fundamen- Mr. HOEFFEL. The occasionally upon which you sent thousands of talist Islamists; the Vice President of late, but always eloquent and pas- Americans, hundreds of whom are the United States stands for the Amer- sionate member from Hawaii. never going to come home and many, ican people and said we are just going Mr. ABERCROMBIE. Well, that is be- many are going to come home to a dis- to go after al Qaeda in Iraq. Where is cause we are bringing the hammer of ability they are never going to recover the shame? We have to get to the bot- inquiry down on the anvil of truth from. And his answer was stunning to tom of this. here, or the anvil of inquiry for sure. me. He said, you know what? I was just I want to make one more comment too busy. I did not ask about that. about what we are in right now. This is b 2320 Here is an official of the administra- history, but it is something that we The anvil of inquiry for sure. Part of tion who sent our sons and daughters have to peel back to find out what hap- what we are being asked to do and to war based on a premise which has pened, and that is where we go from what you have been discussing tonight obviously turned out to be false from here. I think there is some responsi- has to do with the new payment, the the information we have today, who bility now. No matter how we got into latest, I should say, the latest pay- went to Iraq and who was apparently so this, there is a mess in Iraq. But I want ment. But think about what happens embarrassed about this failure, this to point out that the difficulty we face when the Secretary of Defense says, oh, massive failure of intelligence that in mobilizing support for this is in part we are making progress, when the dele- this administration was responsible for because of the administration’s failure gation from the Congress of which I

VerDate jul 14 2003 05:33 Sep 17, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00058 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K16SE7.113 H16PT1 September 16, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H8281 was a part was the first to enter, actu- against Iran. It is the now-Secretary of war, and they have two options at this ally enter Baghdad after the attack on Defense Donald Rumsfeld who is the point. One is to stonewall and search Baghdad was over. special envoy who went and shook the for any justification they have, and Remember, they had a group went in hand of that thug Saddam Hussein in now they are focusing on something and stayed at the Baghdad airport. 1982. He was then taken off the ter- that happened in 1988 during the pre- They came in. We drove in. We came rorist list; Saddam Hussein was taken vious Bush administration or shortly down that long road from the airport off the terrorist lists, and that opened before that administration. into Baghdad. The last delegation that up opportunities for the Iraqi regime. What they should be doing is embrac- just went had to be flown from the air- In 1984 full diplomatic relationships ing our approach, which is to find out port into the compound where Mr. were opened between the United States why this happened. We think the Presi- Bremer is and where the troops are be- and Iraq. In 1986, in 1986 we installed an dent should be looking for the people in cause they cannot go on that road any embassy in Baghdad. The American the administration and holding them more. I remember coming in this road. people should know that. In 1988, in accountable for why when they find I said, We are going to have to have 1988 this heinous crime was committed out why this happened. 10,000 troops just to guard the road in against the Iraqi Kurds in the town of b 2330 from the Baghdad airport because you Halabja, and here we are some 15 years have the road and you have desert and later hearing the Secretary of State He ought to be on our side trying to that means you can come in. Remem- suggest that this was the evidence, the find out why the administration let ber, I called upon Thomas Edwards predicate, if you will, to our interven- down the American people, but no, no. Lawrence, T.E. Lawrence, where is tion. Instead, they want to stonewall this. your spirit? Where are you now that we Now, the story does not end there. Stonewalling is not an answer to help need you? Because you cannot guard The story does not end there. Because this country move forward into how we that road. All it takes is a cell phone it was the President’s father, the Bush are going to solve this problem, but it and a trigger mechanism to be able to administration according to a Congres- is an indication of what problem the attack these vehicles. sional Research Report that blocked administration has. So when you talk $66 billion or how- congressional action, that blocked con- This administration has always ever you want to break this down, and gressional action to impose sanctions wanted to sugarcoat this war for the I hope that we are going to break this on Iraq for committing that crime American people and think it was down before we vote any money for against the Iraqi people. going to be roses and tax cuts for the this, we have to take into account you Let me read because I think it is im- whole way. It is about time the admin- will need thousands and thousands of portant that the American people hear istration started talking the truth. troops, longer and longer time at this. I have never heard it stated. This Mr. ABERCROMBIE. I think our greater expense than even has been is our own Congressional Research time is probably at an end. mentioned here tonight just to guard Service, an independent body: ‘‘In late Mr. HOEFFEL. Mr. Speaker, I thank the road. 1988 after reports that Iraq had used my colleagues for joining me this Mr. DELAHUNT. Mr. Speaker, I do chemical weapons against the Kurds, evening. The Iraq Watch will be back not know if you saw ‘‘Meet the Press’’ the Senate on September 9 passed by next week. this last Sunday, but again the Vice voice vote to impose financial and f President refuted the need that was ex- trade sanctions and severe restrictions SPECIAL ORDERS GRANTED pressed by the Army Chief of Staff, on the transfer of technology to Iraq. By unanimous consent, permission to General Shinseki, that several hundred On September 27, the House passed a address the House, following the legis- thousand troops were necessary to bill by a vote of 388 to 16; but the bill lative program and any special orders bring stability. We have what would was not taken up by the Senate. The heretofore entered, was granted to: appear to be a position that is intran- bill would have prohibited sales to Iraq (The following Members (at the re- sigent, that is in denial, if you will. of any munitions-listed items and quest of Mr. PALLONE) to revise and ex- If I can for just one moment bring called on the President to place import tend their remarks and include extra- something up that I found particularly and export restrictions on Iraq, end neous material:) ironic, Secretary of State Colin Powell credit and loan guarantees, and oppose Mr. DOGGETT, for 5 minutes, today. this past week visited Halabja, which is multi-lateral assistance to that coun- Mr. DEFAZIO, for 5 minutes, today. where some 5,000 Kurdish Iraqis lost try if Iraq did not stop using chemical Mr. EMANUEL, for 5 minutes, today. their lives because of the use of chem- weapons and agree to international in- Mr. PALLONE, for 5 minutes, today. ical weapons by Saddam Hussein. The spections.’’ Mr. BROWN of Ohio, for 5 minutes, Secretary asserted that in this little Similarly, in May through July of today. farming town nestled in Iraq’s barren 1990, just before the first Gulf War, the Mr. DAVIS of Illinois, for 5 minutes, northern mountains, this was ample administration helped block action or today. evidence that former President Sad- defeat several measures in both Houses Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida, for 5 dam Hussein’s government possessed that would have restricted U.S. sales minutes, today. weapons of mass destruction and justi- credits, loan guarantees, insurance Mr. STENHOLM, for 5 minutes, today. fied, and justified the U.S. decision to support in international lending insti- (The following Members (at the re- go to war. That occurred in 1988 and it tutions, and trade preferences for Iraq. quest of Mr. PAUL) to revise and extend was despicable. And what should have The administration helped block ac- their remarks and include extraneous occurred was the international commu- tion. Of course we knew that he used material:) nity should have responded at that chemical weapons. In 1990 we knew. Mr. BURTON of Indiana, for 5 minutes, point in time, convened a war crimes And what did we do about it then? We September 17 and 18. tribunal, affected the arrest of Saddam blocked congressional action, the then- Mr. HENSARLING, for 5 minutes, Sep- Hussein and brought him to justice for administration blocked congressional tember 17. that. action. Mr. CHOCOLA, for 5 minutes, Sep- The President at that time was this So the irony of the Secretary of tember 17. President Bush’s father, or rather in State being in Halabja and suggesting Mrs. BLACKBURN, for 5 minutes, Sep- 1988 it was President Reagan. The now- that that was the predicate for mili- tember 17. Secretary of State was the then-Na- tary intervention, what irony. Mr. NORWOOD, for 5 minutes, today tional Security Advisor to President Mr. INSLEE. Mr. Speaker, if the gen- and September 17 and 18. Reagan. tleman will yield, I want to posit a rea- Mr. PAUL, for 5 minutes, today and I find such irony in that because it son why the administration is trying to September 17 and 18. was many of the same individuals who reach back for this, for a justification Mr. CUNNINGHAM, for 5 minutes, Sep- approached Saddam Hussein to indi- for this war. And the reason is they re- tember 17. cate that they were tilting towards the fused to recognize that they used false Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida, Saddam Hussein regime in its war information to lead this Nation into a for 5 minutes, September 17.

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