Louise Slaughter: “the amendment seeks to reduce proposed increases in copayments for military families back to current cost shares. As the…”

“the amendment seeks to reduce proposed increases in copayments for military families back to current cost shares. As the war in Iraq drags on and on, we continue to ask more and more of the brave men and women who serve in our military. They are asked to sacrifice everything, from their own lives to the health and livelihoods of their families. These families are already struggling paycheck to paycheck just to make ends meet. Maybe the increase in the copayments don't seem like much to the wealthy Americans who were rewarded by Republicans yesterday with a hefty five-figure tax break but, they sure make a significant break in the budgets of low- and moderate-income families with children. Mr. Speaker, not only is Ranking Member Skelton one of the most distinguished and respected Members of the House, he is also an expert on military personnel. To deny him the opportunity to even offer this responsible amendment is simply outrageous. Even those who don't support his amendment ought to have the courage to vote whether or not to help our soldiers and their families pay for medicine. I want to emphasize that a ``no'' vote will not block the defense authorization bill and will not affect any of the other amendments that are in order under this rule, but a ``no'' vote will allow us to debate and vote on the Skelton amendment. Vote ``no'' on the previous question. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.”