Daniel Akaka: “today I was pleased to vote in favor of passage of the conference report on the National Defense Authorization Act for…”

“today I was pleased to vote in favor of passage of the conference report on the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008. This significant legislation will provide much needed funding for the brave men and women currently serving in our armed forces and includes critically important language addressing the needs and care of returning servicemembers. The provisions dealing with care at VA are a direct outcome of the close collaboration that has occurred between the Veterans' Affairs Committee and the Armed Services Committee. It was a pleasure to work with Chairman Levin of the Armed Services Committee and others on this key legislation to help our Nation's servicemembers and veterans. It contains provisions drawn from legislation which was reported by the Veterans' Affairs Committee to the full Senate in late August, legislation that we have been seeking final passage of for many months now. A substantial portion of these provisions seek to address what has become the signature wound of this conflict: traumatic brain injury.”