[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 34 (Monday, March 11, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E263]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 933, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, 
 MILITARY CONSTRUCTION AND VETERANS AFFAIRS, AND FULL-YEAR CONTINUING 
                        APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2013

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                               speech of

                           HON. DEREK KILMER

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 6, 2013

  Mr. KILMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 933, the 
Department of Defense, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and 
Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act.
  Talking to folks in our region, I know they will be hurt by the 
reckless across-the-board cuts included in this budget plan. From day 
one, I've said sequestration is a bad idea for our country. The bill we 
voted on today doesn't stop the furloughs that will hurt our 
communities, doesn't give non-defense agencies the flexibility to deal 
with the across-the-board cuts in a more strategic way, and doesn't 
limit the impact of deep cuts to programs like Impact Aid that ensures 
the schools that our military kids attend have the resources they need. 
I didn't come here to vote on partisan gimmicks. I'm here to solve 
problems. The bill we voted on today doesn't do that. It continues in 
the wrong direction for our military and for our other priorities.
  Congress has 21 days until the current funding for the government 
expires. That's 21 days that Congress should be working nonstop until 
there is a bipartisan, long-term budget plan that addresses our 
financial sustainability and avoids making these mindless across-the-
board cuts. For our national security, our businesses, and our middle 
class families, we need a responsible, long-term balanced budget plan 
to replace the across-the-board cuts and get our economy back on track.

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