On the recordMay 14, 2015
I rise against the rule that we are considering to the National Defense Authorization bill. I was extremely disappointed late last night, as you can imagine, when the Rules Committee decided not to make my amendment in order for today. My amendment would have provided a token thank-you to the World War II merchant mariners. These brave men suffered the highest losses of any military branch in World War II, and they did not receive veterans' benefits under the GI Bill. Time is running out. These merchant mariners are now in their eighties and their early nineties. There are only 5,000 living today. We can't continue with the slow wheels of bureaucracy. We can't do a study to see if they deserve it or if we can afford it. Congress should act swiftly and with a sense of urgency. As President Eisenhower said: When final victory is ours, there is no organization that will share its credit more deservedly than the merchant marine. It is too late for this bill today, but it is sad, as we are about to vote on a bill that authorizes our defense of this country, that we couldn't take a moment to give a token thank-you to those who were involved in the defense of this country. {time} 1500
