Political Quotes

“Each year since 1961, the House and Senate have reached a conference agreement on, and the President has signed into law, a National Defense Authorization Act. I now call upon my colleagues in this chamber to fulfill our responsibility and pass the annual Defense authorization bill, as has been the tradition of the Senate for each of the past 45 years. This is the 27th year that I have had the privilege of working on this important legislation. I believe this conference report is a strong bipartisan bill that serves the interests of the men and women of our Armed Forces and of our Nation today. We must send a strong message of support to the men and women in uniform serving on the distant outposts throughout the world. I can think of no better way to honor their sacrifices and service, and that of their families than with the passage of the National Defense Authorization bill. This conference report provides the authorities and resources to win the global war on terrorism, while safeguarding Americans at home. It sustains the current readiness of the Armed Forces and provides the resources to prepare them for the future. I yield the floor. Exhibit 1 Appendix A: Key Military Personnel Provisions--Conference Agreement NDAA 2006 (H.R. 1815) Active End Strength: Increases Army end strength by 10,000 to 512,400. Increases USMC end strength by 1,000 to 179,000. Pay Raise: Provides 3.1 percent pay raise.…”