Focused on Our Priorities
September 10, 2008
‘We have time, but not a lot. Tomorrow we’ll be taking time to remember the 9/11 attacks. Friday we have an all-day Energy Summit. So let’s use our time wisely. If we do, it’s my hope that we can work together and with cooperation finish this bill sometime next week’
WASHINGTON, D.C.— U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell delivered the following remarks [as prepared] on the Senate floor Wednesday regarding the Defense Authorization Bill:
“We have a limited number of workdays between now and November, so we’ll have to focus our priorities, starting with the Defense Authorization Bill now before the Senate. Among other things, this vital bill authorizes a much-deserved pay raise for America’s military men and women.
“But, of course, an authorization bill only gets us halfway there. In order for this military pay raise to reach the families it’s intended for, the Senate will still need to pass an appropriations bill.
“So my suggestion is that we begin processing amendments to the defense authorization bill today to improve it, starting with the first four amendments we’ll be voting on later today. We weren’t able to vote on any amendments yesterday.
“As everyone knows, the Defense Authorization bill is typically a heavily amended bill. It usually takes two to three weeks to complete. But it’s my hope that we can make some good forward progress today.
“Kentucky is home to two major military installations and more than 357,000 veterans. They, and the rest of America’s veterans, deserve our full attention.
“We have time, but not a lot. Tomorrow we’ll be taking time to remember the 9/11 attacks. Friday we have an all-day Energy Summit. So let’s use our time wisely. If we do, it’s my hope that we can work together and with cooperation finish this bill sometime next week.”
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