On the recordApril 7, 2011
Insofar as the military is concerned, this is not a CR. This funds the Department for the balance of the year. The rest of the bill, of course, is the CR. I yield 3 minutes to the very hardworking chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, the gentleman from California (Mr. McKeon). Mr. McKEON. I thank the gentleman for yielding. I rise in strong support of the bill before us that will fund our troops through the end of the fiscal year, cut an additional $12 billion in Federal spending, and prevent a government shutdown. Failure to pass this resolution would intentionally harm those who have made great sacrifices in defense of our ideals and our values. We simply cannot have our fighting forces on the front lines in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya wondering if their families at home will be provided for. It would be a grave injustice and a gross affront to the civil-military relationship. Their pay cannot, should not be disrupted, not for a week, not for a few days, not for a second. Our men and women in uniform deserve better. I don't even want to contemplate a government shutdown, but if it should happen, people need to know that the pay to our military would be suspended. This means we would have our troops on the front lines risking their lives with their families at home, with bills to pay and mouths to feed, and they wouldn't get their paycheck.…
