Mike Levin: “let me first commend the Senator from Washington. She has been tenacious, absolutely determined to provide childcare for…”

“let me first commend the Senator from Washington. She has been tenacious, absolutely determined to provide childcare for military personnel. She has devised this amendment to take care of the ones who are currently employed in Iraq and Afghanistan, because their families surely are the ones who, first and foremost, we have to try to take care of, where they have no other alternative on base because they are geographically dispersed. This amendment provides funds for childcare for members of the Armed Forces who do not have access to military childcare programs because they are geographically dispersed and there is no military childcare program available to them. These will mainly be Guard and Reserve people but not exclusively. There may be families of Active-Duty people who are normally on active duty, who because their loved one is now in Iraq or Afghanistan, for instance, take the family back home and who also will have access to childcare because of this amendment. It is discretionary spending. I note the Department of Defense supports this amendment. It seems to me the fact that the Senator from Washington was able to work with the Department of Defense to actually obtain their support for her amendment is a notable success for which she is entitled to the commendation of this body and the thanks of this Nation. I hope this amendment will be adopted by the Senate.”