[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 168 (Thursday, December 22, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2634]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 THE FY 2006 DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS CONFERENCE REPORT (H.R. 2863), AS 
                         AMENDED BY THE SENATE

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                         HON. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 22, 2005

  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, we are here today because the Senate 
rightly rejected the Defense Appropriations conference report--not 
because they didn't support our troops, but because they honored their 
service enough to insist on a military spending bill unsullied by 
special interest politics.
  While I continue to have concerns about a number of unrelated 
provisions in the underlying bill, I also believe it is critical to 
ensure that our soldiers get the equipment they need to protect 
themselves and succeed in their missions.
  Therefore, with the ANWR issue out of the way, I am prepared to 
support this legislation and forward it to the President for his 
signature.

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