Mitch Landrieu: “I would like to answer the question. First of all, the Senator has drafted many amendments in his career. If he wants to…”

“I would like to answer the question. First of all, the Senator has drafted many amendments in his career. If he wants to help me modify this amendment, I would appreciate his help. It clearly is my intention to get this direct tax credit in a way that makes sure that these companies can take tax credits for the Guard and Reserve. If we can write $137 billion worth of instructions to other companies about how this would apply to their tax credit, we could most certainly write a law or rule that allows these companies to be able to cover the paychecks, which they are doing already. This is totally voluntary. These companies don't have to do it. But if they are going to do it-- some in Oklahoma and some in Louisiana are digging deep--they have budgets to meet. They are paying the guys on the front line and then paying to replace them in their offices. I will tell you why I don't want to put it on the Armed Services bill. I see the chairman on the floor, the Senator from Virginia. What happens is--and the Senator from Oklahoma knows this--under our rules, the Defense Department gets just so much money. Why should I ask my soldiers to make a choice: Do you want a paycheck for your wife, or do you want a covered Humvee for your battalion? I am not asking them that question. You might want to; I am not. Do you want a paycheck for your wife, daycare for your children, or do you want a covered Humvee for yourself? How would you like to answer that question?”