Joe Crowley: “I think it is important to suggest that if we are talking about a targeted population here, perhaps a broad-based…”

“I think it is important to suggest that if we are talking about a targeted population here, perhaps a broad-based response is not the most efficacious we could adopt. Again, in the GAO 03-1004 report, 80 percent which obviously is an average that includes the 19-35, have coverage, which means 20 percent do not have coverage. So is this the best way to do it? In fact, GAO's final determinate was they seriously questioned this particular provision in the Senate bill, not referring to it specifically because it was not yet there, but questioning the provision of 24-hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week, 12-month-a-year coverage to Guard and Reservists not being the most appropriate response remains, whether it is 60 percent, 40 percent or 80 percent. However, as I mentioned, and as I said, I want to thank the ranking member of the Committee on Armed Services, the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton) for, as always, his compassion and his leadership and his concern. There is no Member in this House I respect more than the gentleman. We do need to make every effort we can to express our concern in our response to Guard and Reservists, so I would not urge Members to oppose this motion.”