Austin Scott: “I want to certainly extend my commendations to the Committee on Armed Services. This is a very important bill, and I…”

“I want to certainly extend my commendations to the Committee on Armed Services. This is a very important bill, and I rise to support this measure wholeheartedly and very strongly. In my district of Georgia, I represent Fort McPherson and I also represent Fort Gillam, two very critical bases that play an important role. We need to pass this measure as a strong, strong vindication and a way of showing great appreciation to members of our Armed Forces, who put their lives on the line and brought victory in Iraq. But also, as we look ahead into the future, we see a time and we see issues developing of unknown certainty. Let nobody misunderstand: we want the world to know that the United States of America is going to and must always have the foremost and strongest military presence in the world. This bill, H.R. 1588, goes a long measure to doing that. Also, Mr. Chairman, as one of those strong supporters of this measure, I do want to call attention to this issue of civil service, where we are taking away the collective bargaining and employment rights of 700,000 employees.”