Political Quotes

“just to add a note, the Senator touched on this, but we cannot and do not--and I do not think this will--erode the base of pay and benefits given to the regular force. Those individuals have committed to a career in the military. In a career of 20 years, they will move 10 or 12 times. On the other hand, the reservist is at home, most of them, in a status where there is an ever-present risk of being called up. For that, I think they should be given some special recognition. I believe the Senator has that embraced in these valuable ideas that the Senator has in this amendment. That is because they are ready to respond and they have to, not just move on a set of orders, but they have to try to keep their families in place in their homes; they have to try to work out some relationship with their employers so they can go back. They have a whole set of problems that are quite different than those in the regulars. I do not think in any way this legislation encroaches on the important category of benefits for the regular forces, but does things that recognize the importance of the Guard and Reserve. I see another distinguished colleague on the floor.”