Willie Hefner: “Mr. Speaker, when the House passed the military construction bill, it included funding for many important projects for…”

“Mr. Speaker, when the House passed the military construction bill, it included funding for many important projects for family housing, barracks, and dormitories. By a vote of 395 to 134, we agreed to place a high priority on the quality of life of our men and women in the military and their families as they serve us around the world. The other body, however, does not seem to feel as we do; $145 million was cut for family housing and $65 million was cut from barracks. We give them the best training in the world, but with the lack of decent housing, we cannot get them to reenlist in the services. These young men and women are sent to the far corners of the world, but we cannot provide proper care and a proper place for them to live. Whether it is a base near your district or in Korea or Germany, these people deserve adequate housing. My motion, Mr. Speaker, provides specific direction to the conferees to make certain that in resolving the differences between the House and the other body, a high priority is given to the quality of life of the men and women serving us in the military.”