Mr. Speaker, one would have thought that this emergency supplemental bill coming up when it did right on the heels of the storm damage and flooding to Houston, it would have provided an opportunity for this Congress to speak very clearly to the people in that area that their contract with our country is one that, in time of distress or natural disaster, we are there for them. Instead, we are sending the exact opposite message, a message of no confidence, by reducing the funding in FEMA.
As a person who represents an area beset by earthquakes, I know how important the message from Washington is in the recovery. As a grandmother of grandchildren in Houston seeing the onset of mosquitos following the flood, I know personally the need for the increased funding in the emergency bill, and am bewildered, again from my own experience representing an area that is disaster-prone, that this committee would not rise to the occasion.
So I rise in opposition to the rule on the supplemental appropriations bill because it misses opportunities on many scores. All we were asking for was a legitimate debate on spending priorities that are of an emergency nature for this Congress to address.
We have missed the opportunity because of this rule to have the chance to stabilize the electricity markets in the western United States. We have missed the opportunity to discuss the Eshoo amendment to ensure refunds for electricity charges in the western regions that were not just and reasonable. In fact, there are about $8.9 billion in refunds. We have missed the opportunity to ensure that the DeLauro amendment would be discussed, which would increase the LIHEAP funding so it would be available to low income families throughout the summer and fall. Finally, we have missed the opportunity to provide the leadership required for this country in the fight to treat AIDS and prevent new infections globally.