Political Quotes

“payback'' has more than one meaning for our troops. For dozens, perhaps hundreds, of their families, it referred to a glaring oversight by the Pentagon that led to grave disappointment, dismay and continuing frustration. Until the Pentagon finally issued regulations yesterday, 1 year after Congress imposed its deadlines, many troops and their families were not reimbursed for their body armor, combat helmets and protective gear. We ask our troops to risk life and limb to defend us, and yet, unconscionably, we made their families pick up the tab. With their lives on the line, our troops cannot afford to focus on the mission with distractions and worries about family debts incurred to help America's war effort. We have spent over $200 billion in taxpayer funds to carry out the war in Iraq. The first priority for this money should be supplying our troops with protective gear they need to survive combat. I commend the Senate for voting last night to shift control of this money directly to unit commanders in the field. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to measure up to the valor and sacrifices of our troops by expanding these rules to also cover rifle scopes, additional radios and more armor for Humvees before we approve another dime in yet another supplemental funding bill. ____________________”