Barbara Mikulski: “I am here to stand up for our troops. I am going to vote for the Defense Authorization Act because it will give our…”

“I am here to stand up for our troops. I am going to vote for the Defense Authorization Act because it will give our troops the tools they need to fight the battles today and in the future. Every day our soldiers are fighting a war on many fronts, including in Iraq and Afghanistan. In Iraq soldiers are risking their lives every day, while their loved ones at home are praying for their safe return. Our troops are making grave sacrifices, some losing their lives in service to our Nation. Their families, their husbands and wives, parents and children, are also making sacrifices. It is the responsibility of Congress to provide the weapons, vehicles, and tools that our soldiers need to be an effective fighting force. But I also stand up for those who are protecting the United States of America--our brave, our gallant Federal employees who are out there every day on the front line. I am here to defend the rights of hard-working civilian employees in the Department of Defense. When I stand up for America, I want to be able to stand up for what America believes in. And that includes basic rights for workers. I think it is terrible that the DOD is using it's budget, which is so vital for our troops, as a cover for undermining the basic rights of dedicated employees. This bill creates a completely new--and completely unfair--personnel system for civilian Defense Department employees. The new system undermines the collective bargaining rights of civilian personnel.”