Walter B. Jones: “as a supporter of the original conference report, I would like to express my strong support for this new and improved…”

“as a supporter of the original conference report, I would like to express my strong support for this new and improved version of the 1996 Department of Defense conference report. This legislation, as my colleagues well know, is critical both to the functions of the Department, as well as to the men and women in uniform, who diligently serve this Nation. As has been stated time and again, this conference report provides a 2.4-percent pay raise, increases family housing, improves health care for military dependents, and funds overdue COLA equity for military retirees. While the original conference report garnered the support of both the House and Senate, the President vetoed the measure. Chairman Spence has brought back to this House a conference report that adequately deals with the President's concerns, while carefully balancing the priorities of this Congress. I believe this effort to build a consensus between congressional leadership and the administration is sound and once again merits the support of the House.”