[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 129 (Thursday, September 26, 2013)]
[House]
[Page H5844]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       SHUTDOWN AND MILITARY PAY

  (Mr. PITTS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, over 3 months ago, the House passed a Defense 
appropriations bill with overwhelming bipartisan support.
  As we approach the end of the fiscal year, I want to remind Senate 
Democrats and the President that our fighting men and women are 
counting on us. The leadership in the Senate failed to even bring a 
Defense funding measure to the floor this year.
  Now, should they fail to work with the House to fund the government, 
pay for our soldiers, sailors, and airmen could be delayed. Cutbacks 
could reduce their readiness and delay the procurement of tools they 
need to defend our Nation and themselves.
  At a time when fighting continues in Afghanistan and we face serious 
threats from terrorists, at a time when the President is threatening 
force in Syria, we cannot let our guard down. We should not use our 
military and wounded warriors as pawns in political partisanship.
  The Senate needs to act without delay to pass funding and keep the 
government from shutting down. The safety of brave Americans around the 
world is at risk if we fail.

                          ____________________