Political Quotes

“Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. S. 1541, the Senate version of H.R. 2815, is another bipartisan bill to revise the Federal charter of the Blue Star Mothers of America. The revisions implemented by the legislation once again reflect minor changes recently made to the organization's membership eligibility requirements. The Blue Star Mothers of America, representing the mothers of military servicemen and -women, has been a federally chartered organization since 1960. The existing charter restricts member in three ways: A, members must be birth mothers, adoptive mothers, or certain stepmothers; B, members must be U.S. citizens currently living in the country; and C, the corresponding serviceman or -woman must be currently serving in the Armed Forces or must have served in World War II or the Korean War. Last year, at the organization's national convention, the group adopted a resolution expanding these eligibility criteria. A conforming amendment to the Federal charter is needed in order make these changes operable. S. 1541, the Senate bill, was introduced by Senator Michael Bennet of Colorado. Its House companion was introduced by Representative Scott Tipton, also of Colorado. The legislation makes three minor revisions to the organization's charter: First, to expand the membership eligibility requirements to include foster mothers, grandmothers, female legal guardians, and all stepmothers; Second, it expands membership to U.S.…”