[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 130 (Thursday, July 27, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E732]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

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                           HON. RUBEN GALLEGO

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 27, 2023

  Mr. GALLEGO. Mr. Speaker, today I missed a vote on final passage of 
H.R. 4366--Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related 
Agencies Appropriations Act 2024, because of the birth of my child. Had 
I been present on the House Floor, I would have voted NO. As a combat 
veteran myself, I believe it is our duty and responsibility to ensure 
all veterans are provided the care and resources they have earned. This 
year, however, I would not have been able to vote for this bill in good 
faith.
  Speaker McCarthy allowed the most radical members of his party to 
hijack a bill meant to support our veterans. House Republicans passed 
amendments that do the opposite, including provisions that restrict 
access to medically necessary gender-affirming care, discriminate 
against the LGBTQ+ community, and eliminate efforts to combat climate 
change.
  Although there were dozens of amendments that I would have opposed, I 
want to highlight 5 where I would have cast the following individual 
votes:
  1. NO on Ogles Amendment No. 2, which would transfer $3 million from 
NATO's Security Investment Program to the Spending Reduction Account at 
the end of the bill.
  2. NO on Greene Amendment No. 3, which would cut the $73 million 
increase in funding for the NATO Security Investment Program.
  3. NO on Greene Amendment No. 34, which strikes funding for the 
Office of Resolution Management, Diversity, and Inclusion.
  4. NO on Bost Amendment No. 35, which prohibits the VA from using 
funds to submit a beneficiary's name to the NCIS list based on VA's 
appointment of a fiduciary.
  5. NO on Roy Amendment No. 40, which prohibits funds in this act from 
being used to carry out President Biden's climate change executive 
order.
  Instead of passing bipartisan legislation that treats ALL veterans 
with respect and honor, House Republicans chose to discriminate against 
those who have sacrificed so much for our country. This is a major step 
backwards, and I cannot support this bill.

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