Political Quotes

“today I vote in support of the Military Construction Conference Report, H.R. 5011. I am encouraged that the conference report provides $835 million more than the Administration requested for barracks construction, family housing, medical facilities, and environmental clean up. I am especially pleased that this conference report includes $561 million for the Defense Department's Base Realignment and Closure program, which is $16 million more than what we passed in the House earlier this summer. I am disappointed that the Conference Committee could not support the Senate's request for $645 million, but what we have is a good step. This increase will help the Department meet its environmental restoration and reuse commitments. I would also like to express my appreciation to Chairman Hobson, Ranking Member Olver and Mr. Farr on the House Committee for focusing on one aspect of the military construction budget that deals with the problem of unexploded ordnance, the bombs and shells and military toxins, that have been left over and littered across the landscape of this country. I thank them for their foresight and leadership in bringing this issue front and center.”