Louie Gohmert: “This is an important bill, and I appreciate so much my friend who knows about serving in the military, Mike Coffman…”

“This is an important bill, and I appreciate so much my friend who knows about serving in the military, Mike Coffman, getting this to floor. My friend and I, Jack Kingston, had pushed this over 2\1/2\ years ago, when it became clear that both parties were going to use our military to get people to vote for a CR they might not otherwise have voted for. We had, I think, over 200 cosponsors on our bill. But as far as the discharge petition that would have forced it to the bill, he wanted to sign on but they didn't want to go against our leadership. So I'm very grateful this bill is on the floor now. I'm very grateful. And I appreciate the Speaker for letting it come forward. Because there's one thing the military doesn't need, and that is to be in harm's way and have to worry about whether their loved ones are going to get the check that will allow them to pay their rent or for their car, or is it going to get repossessed. From my 4 years in the military at Fort Benning, I'm told it hasn't changed much from this standpoint: people live from month to month. They don't get paid all that much. So this is critical to get this done. I'm glad the bill is coming. I'm glad to hear our colleagues on the other side of the aisle are going to vote with us, it sounds like.…”