[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 186 (Thursday, November 9, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5460-S5461]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. KAINE:
  S. 3265. A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to increase 
the number of individuals from the District of Columbia who may be 
appointed to military service academies; to the Committee on Armed 
Services.
  Mr. KAINE. Madam President, in all 50 States, young Americans who 
wish to serve their country send in applications for the high honor of 
recommendation to a military service academy by their U.S. 
Representative or either of their U.S. Senators. However, because the 
District of Columbia is not a State and has no Senators, young people 
from DC have only a third as many opportunities to be nominated for 
these academies as Americans from the 50 States have.
  This simple bill would ensure that DC gets the same number of academy 
nominations as States do for the U.S. Military Academy, Naval Academy, 
and Air Force Academy. This bill originated with DC's distinguished 
Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, and I am proud to join her with a 
Senate companion ahead of Veterans Day later this week.
  Reviewing service academy applications is one of my most fulfilling 
duties in the Senate. I cannot help but be optimistic about our 
country's future when I see so many talented, dedicated, and patriotic 
young people seeking to pursue careers serving their country in 
uniform. Any young American should have an equal chance to be nominated 
for this honor, whether they come from the District of Columbia or any 
of the 50 States. This bill allows them that chance.

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