The Committee will come to order. This afternoon we will have the first of two hearings on the President’s emergency supplemental request for appropriations in the amount of $81.9 billion. Approximately $75 billion is for the Department of Defense, and over $5 billion is for international functions of the Department of State. Appropriations in the amount of $949.6 million are requested for a multi-agency tsunami relief effort, and $400 million is requested for other agencies to support the war on terrorism.
Our witness this afternoon is Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. He is accompanied by General Richard Myers, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and by the Comptroller of the Department of Defense, Ms. Tina Jonas. Tomorrow morning we will hear from Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice.
It is my understanding that the House of Representatives hopes to pass their bill prior to the March recess. I expect we will have a markup of their bill shortly after we return from that recess, so that we may have final action on the request before the end of April.
I will recognize Senator Byrd for his opening statement, and then we will hear from Secretary Rumsfeld. Members will have ten minutes each for the initial round of questions, and I will recognize members in the order of their arrival.
