Hal Rogers: “I thank the gentlewoman for yielding time. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this fiscal year 2018 DOD…”

“I thank the gentlewoman for yielding time. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this fiscal year 2018 DOD Appropriations bill. Although I am proud to support this critical legislation, I will say that I am disappointed to be here, yet again, speaking in support of the DOD Appropriations bill as we, again, seek its passage in the House. Despite Chairman Frelinghuysen's Herculean efforts to complete all 12 bills on time and passing several packages that included the Defense bill, the Senate refuses to act. We recently saw the effects of this when the government shutdown put great stress on the backs of our servicemembers and their families. Mr. Speaker, it is time that we push aside partisanship and do what is right for the country and for our national security by passing this bill. While it certainly represents the outcome of many hard choices, it prioritizes funding where our troops need it most. It wisely invests in readiness, training, maintenance, and procurement of new equipment and technology to ensure that our troops are prepared for the tasks before them. I am pleased that this bill takes care of our troops and their families at home by granting them a long-awaited 2.4 percent pay raise. Our Nation has been at war for nearly two decades, and our servicemembers have put their lives on the line to ensure that we can live our way of life. This raise represents just one small way for us to honor their service. Mr.…”