Top Capital Hill military money man visits 101st
MOSUL, Iraq (Sept. 28, 2003) -- Rep. Jerry Lewis, R-CA, chairman of the House Military Appropriations sub-committee, led a nine-member congressional delegation Sunday to meet constituents fighting with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) in Mosul, Iraq.
The delegation included GOP Texans Henry Bonilla and Kay Granger, fellow Republicans John Shimkus (IL), George Nerthcutt (WA), and Don Sherwood (PA). Democrats Tim Holden (PA), Norm Dicks (WA), and Ellen Tauscher (CA) made the trip a bipartisan affair.
Maj. Gen. David H. Petraeus, 101st Airborne Division commanding general, who has hosted a number of Washington lawmakers in recent weeks, introduced Lewis during dinner as “a very, very long time friend and a huge supporter of the U.S. Military.” Petraeus entertained a seven-member congressional delegation on Sept. 15 that included Rep. Ike Skelton, the ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee.
Lewis took the opportunity after having dinner with the group of “Screaming Eagles” to reassure the soldiers that published reports of budget slashes cutting into hostile-file pay were “just a rumor coming from somewhere.” Lewis is the senior member of the House Appropriations Committee and chairs the National Security Appropriations sub-committee, which last week passed the 2004 defense appropriations bill.
“(The hostile-fire pay cut) is absolutely not a part of this bill,” Lewis said. “The congress would absolutely not consider such an action, period, but particularly not at a time like this.”
Before jumping on a C-130 airplane for Baghdad, Lewis affirmed his support for President Bush’s $87 billion proposal for the ongoing missions in Afghanistan and Iraq, but doubted the $20 billion directed at rebuilding Iraq would be sufficient.
“I don’t know how much is going to be required to help the Iraqi people and this country,” he said during a quick press conference with both American and Iraqi media.
The 13-term Californian came equipped with a bag full of AT&T calling cards for the 101st soldiers, much to the excitement of the 101st Airborne commander. “No more hard candy…what (the soldiers) really want is phone cards,” Petraeus said.
“Call home – America loves you and we love what you’re about,” Lewis told the soldiers.
