Lucas Statement on the Passage of the 2010 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Bill

Washington, DC – Today, the House of Representatives voted on and passed the FY2010 emergency supplemental appropriations package, which included much needed funding for our troops.  The bill contained a total of $55 billion in funding, including $33 billion in defense spending.  The bill was originally drafted by the Senate in February, but was amended by the House of Representatives in early July to include an additional $27 billion in non-emergency, domestic spending initiatives.  These additions ensured that the legislation would not be passed by the July 4th weekend, ignoring the requests of General Petraeus and Secretary Gates.  The Senate reconsidered the legislation and once again sent it to the House with no additional domestic spending. 

“Since February, my colleagues and I have been calling for the swift passage of a clean emergency supplemental appropriations bill that would quickly send much needed funds to our brave men and women who risk their lives each day on front lines of the war on terror.  Instead, this process was held up by congressional Democrats’ attempt to strap billions upon billions of new spending initiatives and bailouts on the backs of our troops, ping-ponging the bill back and forth between the House and the Senate for the past six months. 

“Thankfully, today Congress finally followed the urging of top generals and Department of Defense officials, including General Petraeus and Secretary Gates, and passed a clean version of the legislation.  The legislation will now go to President Obama and I strongly urge him to quickly sign the bill into law.  Failure to finalize this legislation could force commanders in the field to make budget cuts which could compromise the safety and security of our men and women on the front line and our overall mission in the war on terror.”

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