On the recordJuly 23, 2013
I want to thank my friend from Oklahoma for yielding. Mr. Chairman, I am a proud cosponsor of this truly bipartisan amendment, as demonstrated by those who are speaking in favor of it tonight. I, too, voted against sequestration, and I oppose furloughing any DOD citizens who work on behalf of our national security and our troops. Those working at the Rock Island Arsenal, which I represent, proudly serve our country. They don't deserve a pay cut because of Washington's dysfunction. It's as simple as that. That's why Congress and the administration must find a balanced, commonsense way to replace sequestration. This amendment addresses the unique situation of Working Capital Fund civilians like those at the Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center, who are already funded from prior years. I think that's important to keep in mind. Furloughing these men and women doesn't create direct savings, as has already been mentioned; rather, it delays work for our troops, hurts our readiness, and increases costs for taxpayers without direct savings. {time} 2115 Again, I oppose all furloughs, and I do oppose sequestration. This amendment, I believe, is a commonsense policy for DOD and for Working Capital Fund employees, and I urge my colleagues to support it. Again, it's a fully bipartisan amendment.
