[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 26 (Wednesday, February 12, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S937]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      RESTORING THE MILITARY COLA

  Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, in last year's budget agreement our 
retired servicemembers were unjustly targeted to bear the burden of 
irresponsible spending. Balancing the budget on the backs of our 
servicemembers is a reckless move which violates the responsibility we 
have to those who wear our Nation's uniform, which is why I voted 
against the budget agreement.
  Numerous Arkansans have reached out to me urging Congress to correct 
these misguided cuts. I have been encouraging my colleagues to restore 
these cuts at the earliest opportunity in order to provide certainty 
for our military retirees' financial future. I, working with others in 
this body, have worked hard to bring this to a vote.
  Yesterday, the House took action. I am pleased to be able to stand 
here today and tell those Arkansans and all veterans that the Senate 
has followed suit and corrected this injustice.
  However, we must continue working to fully repeal the section of the 
Bipartisan Budget Act which reduces retirement pay for those who enlist 
after January 1, 2014. Any changes which Congress may consider to our 
military compensation system should be done in a thoughtful and 
responsible manner in the context of a broader compensation system.
  I supported this bill before the Senate today to restore the full 
cost of living adjustment for those enlisted prior to 2014, but I will 
continue working to fully repeal this cut which singles out current 
military enlistments to bear the burden of wasteful Washington 
spending. We need to right this wrong so our veterans, servicemembers, 
and their families have one less thing to worry about. However, this 
overwhelmingly bipartisan vote today was certainly a step in the right 
direction.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Brown). The Senator from Rhode Island.

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