Kay Bailey Hutchison: “I rise as the ranking Republican on the committee that has the bill before us for military construction, and I am…”

“I rise as the ranking Republican on the committee that has the bill before us for military construction, and I am pleased to have worked with Senator Feinstein, chairman of the subcommittee, to bring out a bill that does address the priorities of the Defense Department. I noticed that the Senator from Arizona targeted the Appropriations Committee, saying that a large percentage of the Appropriations Committee were taken care of, as if this were some pork-barrel spending. The fact is, the Senate Armed Services Committee has authorized every project in this bill. We don't have projects in the appropriations bill that have not been authorized by a completely different committee that focuses totally on defense and has determined that these projects should be authorized. I am very pleased to support this bill. It provides new mission facilities for the Department of Defense consistent with the Department's request. The priorities are articulated by the military departments. It also enhances quality of life for servicemembers and their families--a commitment we made to these people who are representing our country and fighting for our freedom on the plains of Afghanistan and in Kuwait today, based there for us. We are going to take care of them. Finally, it makes a significant downpayment on renewing the Department of Defense aging infrastructure.”