[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 130 (Thursday, July 27, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H4040]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        SUPPORTING OUR MILITARY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Ellzey). The Chair recognizes the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Meuser) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. MEUSER. Mr. Speaker, earlier this year, during the debt ceiling 
negotiations, some of my colleagues across the aisle baselessly claimed 
that Republicans were cutting funding for our Nation's veterans, which 
was entirely unfounded and untrue.
  As Members of this House, Republicans have always supported those who 
served our country, and our MILCON-VA funding legislation this past 
week further proves this fact.
  In this year's appropriations bill, not only did we not cut funding 
for veterans, but rather we fully fund their healthcare and benefits 
programs to ensure our veterans receive the timely care they have 
rightfully earned and deserve.
  Additionally, the GOP is continuing to fight to improve the quality 
of life of Active Duty servicemembers by supporting the construction of 
new family housing units and childcare centers. In my district, Fort 
Indiantown Gap is receiving a significant level of funding for 
necessary upgrades.
  Our bill, Mr. Speaker, also keeps ideology and politics out of the 
care of veterans by, quite frankly, rightfully prohibiting from our 
military the use of funds to advance such things as critical race 
theory and disallowing the implementation, administration, and 
enforcement of President Biden's executive orders on diversity, equity, 
and inclusion.
  These functions and plans probably have a place in society, where 
appropriate, but certainly not in our military because in the military, 
we continue to respect all Americans who are willing to serve.
  Republicans as well, Mr. Speaker, just recently passed the strongest 
NDAA in history, which included the largest pay raise in 20 years for 
our soldiers, our sailors, our airmen, and our marines. Despite this, 
only a handful, Mr. Speaker, of our Democrat colleagues voted for it.
  House Republicans have supported and will continue to support our 
military and those who risk their lives and make the sacrifices 
necessary to serve our great country, and I am appreciative.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to continue to support H.R. 4366.

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