On the recordMarch 13, 2013
I ask unanimous consent the order for the quorum call be rescinded. I wish to give my friend, Senator McCain, the author of this amendment, the opportunity to speak. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, I guess the time here is short. Sometimes when you can't argue the merits of an issue you just make up something. Senator Durbin claims this amendment would cut funding for the Fisher House, Red Cross, and the USO. If you read the bill, the Fisher House is covered in the CR in section 8070. The Red Cross and USO are covered in section 8078. This amendment strikes section 8039, which pertains to the Office of Economic Adjustment fund, the OEA fund. It has nothing to do with Fisher Houses, the Red Cross, mothers of America, apple pie, or the flag--nothing to do with those except that it strikes legislation which is expressly prohibited in the Defense authorization bill. It strikes language which is directly prohibited by the National Defense Authorization Act. If the Senator wants to claim that Fisher House, Red Cross, USO, small animals, children, the United Way, whatever else he wants to, they are covered in other parts of the bill. I suggest to the Senator from Illinois reread the bill which says--section 8070 talks about Fisher Houses; section 8078 talks about the Red Cross and the USO. Our amendment strikes 8039, which is the Office of Economic Adjustment, that funding.…





