[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 10 (Thursday, January 16, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E88]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          SPACE LAUNCH LIABILITY INDEMNIFICATION EXTENSION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. SUZANNE BONAMICI

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 15, 2014

  Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the 
Consolidated Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2014. Like the budget 
compromise Congress approved last month, this bill takes an important 
step toward rolling back the devastating sequestration cuts that 
continue to hurt our constituents and have kept our economy from fully 
recovering. I applaud the House and Senate Appropriations Committees 
for their hard work in reaching a compromise on a spending bill that 
reinvests in some very important priorities that have recently been 
squeezed too tightly.
   This bill fixes the ill-advised provision of the budget resolution 
that reduced cost of living adjustments for medically-retired military 
personnel. That's a positive step and upholds our solemn commitment to 
those veterans, who have sacrificed for our security. I am also pleased 
that Federal Public Defenders will see a significant increase over last 
year's budget. I will continue to work with my colleagues to ensure 
that these essential public servants have the resources they need to 
uphold the Sixth Amendment's guarantee of counsel in a criminal trial. 
This bill also reinvests in Head Start, some nutrition assistance 
programs, the safety of our food and drug supply, and transportation 
infrastructure--all very important to building and supporting strong 
families and strong local economies.
   As with any compromise legislation, there are also provisions in 
this bill that I do not support. Among other things, this bill 
seriously underfunds medical research by the NIH, environmental 
protection by the EPA, and legal aid programs, and it does not include 
reimbursements to rural counties under the PILT program. The bill also 
continues to infringe on the rights of women to control their own 
health care, and undermines public education through a voucher program.
   Despite these shortcomings, this bill is the result of good-faith, 
bipartisan negotiations and it moves our economy forward. This 
collaborative process must become the norm in Congress, not the 
exception. I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this 
compromise legislation.

                          ____________________