On the recordMay 17, 2016
Coming from the State of Texas, let me express my continued appreciation for the men and women of the United States military, so many of them living in our State, so many different bases, so many veterans living in our State as well, which has caused me to continue to support the men and women who are posted overseas, those who are here domestically as well on bases here in the United States, and, of course, our veterans. As we move toward Memorial Day, it is important that we look holistically at our military and look at them as an entity that includes personnel. I want to take note of the fact that there is a 2.1 percent pay increase for military personnel and that this bill does update the Uniform Code of Military Justice to include new protections for victims of military sexual assaults. I am concerned, however, that the bill shortchanges war funding for efforts against ISIS and redirects funds that should continue to be used for base budget projects toward nonwar-related base budget projects. Let me be clear that I think some of these projects are very important, but I would have wanted this legislation to deal with the fight against ISIS and not go into the contingency fund. As I indicated, I heard the debate and there was some suggestion that the President's budget went into the contingency fund, but in the way that it is done in this bill, it is larger than should be.…
