Thomas Daschle: “Our view has been from the very beginning that members of the National Guard and Reserves need the opportunity to have…”

“Our view has been from the very beginning that members of the National Guard and Reserves need the opportunity to have access to TRICARE health insurance. And now, on three occasions, the Senate has been on record--with increasing numbers--in support of this concept, this idea that TRICARE ought to be offered to members of the Guard and Reserves. We have been gratified with the strong bipartisan support that has been indicated with each one of the votes. Our concern, however, is it does not do us much good to continue to pass these measures on the Senate floor only to see the amendments dropped by the time they get to conference. We want to pass something into law. We want something to be provided to as many of these members of the Guard and Reserves as we possibly can this year.”