Russ Feingold: “although I support passage of this year's Department of Defense appropriations bill, I am deeply disappointed that the…”

“although I support passage of this year's Department of Defense appropriations bill, I am deeply disappointed that the Senate has not been allowed a full debate on the Defense authorization bill. It is unconscionable that the Defense authorization bill that is so critical to our men and women in uniform has been allowed to languish for over 5 months. The appropriations bill includes funds for many important items I strongly support, including vital equipment for those in uniform facing daily dangers in Iraq and Afghanistan. However, vital defense policies are contained in the authorization bill, including policies with a direct impact on military families, such as pay and benefits. The Senate's strong bipartisan efforts to make TRICARE available for the Guard Reserve are also a part of the Defense authorization bill. I therefore urge the majority leader to bring the Defense authorization bill back to the floor so that the Senate can fulfill its obligation to our troops and to the American people. I am also frustrated that the administration continues to rely on emergency supplemental funding for ongoing operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and continues to delay even those funding requests. The administration did not even request the $50 billion ``bridge fund'' included in this bill by the Appropriations Committee even though the Pentagon will soon run out of money for the war effort.…”