Political Quotes

“Mr. President, today I am pleased to introduce an amended version of S. 542, the National Guard, Reserve, ``Gray Area'' Retiree, and Surviving Spouse Space-available Travel Equity Act. The original legislation, S. 542, has been modified slightly. The modification will ensure the Department of Defense retains the authority to issue regulations to implement the bill. The underlying intent of the legislation has not changed. The bill will provide reserve component members and retired reserve component members the ability to travel overseas and travel with their dependents when there is space-available on a military aircraft. Additionally, the bill will ensure surviving spouses of retired members or members killed in the line of duty to retain space-available travel privileges after the death of their loved one. Members and retirees of the National Guard and Reserve, their families, and surviving military spouses make great sacrifices for our Nation. However, too often these individuals do not receive the benefits they have earned for their service. I urge my colleagues to join me in giving parity to our reserve component members, reserve component retirees and surviving military spouses. The no-cost legislation is endorsed by the National Guard Association of the United States. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record. There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows: S.…”