Bill Nelson: “I rise to address a number of issues in the Defense authorization bill. I am voting for this bill because it contains…”

“I rise to address a number of issues in the Defense authorization bill. I am voting for this bill because it contains many provisions critical to fighting the war on terror and it provides pay raises for the men and women of our military. But it fails to rectify a longstanding inequity for disabled military retirees. It's wrong that disabled retirees are forced to pay for their own disability benefits. While this bill ends the penalty for some 30,000 retirees, there are more than half a million veterans out there who still are forced to pay for their own disability benefits. For the many good things we have in this bill, I'd like to thank leadership of our Chairman, Senator Levin, and Ranking Member, Senator Warner. Americans can be assured of their devotion to the security of our nation and the welfare of the men and women in uniform around the world today serving in harm's way. I would also like to say I am grateful for the opportunity to have served on this committee for two years with the Senior Senator from Georgia, Max Cleland.”