Mike Turner: “I want to congratulate my chairman, the gentleman from California (Mr. Hunter), on his leadership and efforts in making…”

“I want to congratulate my chairman, the gentleman from California (Mr. Hunter), on his leadership and efforts in making certain that this bill, as he deemed it to be, is indeed the "year of the troops," supporting our men and women in uniform, making certain that we support our men and women in uniform with a pay increase, and making sure that they have the resources that they need. The bill includes $728 million in up-armor for our Humvees and protection against IADs, $100 million for vehicle add-on armor kits. But also I am excited about the provisions that expand the health care to our Reservists and Guard. As the gentleman knows, I have introduced H.R. 2176, which would extend TRICARE health care benefits to our Reservists and members of our Guard. The GAO indicates that approximately 21 percent of all of our Reservists and Guard go without health care insurance. This bill includes a TRICARE standard coverage for Reservists and Guard and their families who have been activated for more than 30 days since September 11, 2001, in support of a contingency operation; and then for every 90 days of consecutive active duty service, the member and their family are eligible for 1 year of TRICARE coverage with a nonactive duty status.”