Bob Kerrey: “I want to take a minute, hopefully for the purpose of influencing the conferees on a vote that was taken yesterday--it…”

“I want to take a minute, hopefully for the purpose of influencing the conferees on a vote that was taken yesterday--it passed overwhelmingly--having to do with military retiree benefits. There are two amendments, one offered by Senator Warner, one offered by Senator Johnson. I appreciate the intent of both amendments and I appreciate very much, as well, the concerns both Senators and everybody who voted for both of those amendments have for military retirees, especially as far as it might improve our capacity to recruit and retain people in the Armed Forces. I think it is a legitimate concern, and I appreciate very much that concern being expressed yesterday, especially being expressed with affirmative votes, although, as I said, I voted against both of those amendments. I did not, during the debate yesterday, offer the reasons I voted against it, and I want to do that now. Both amendments are essentially dealing with the same situation; that is, once you reach the age of 65, you go off the TRICARE system and you go onto Medicare, as most individuals do who work for other businesses as well who end up with health care.”