[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 14]
[Senate]
[Page 19167]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BILL

  Mr. DODD. Lastly, I urge that when we return in September, the top 
item be the Defense authorization bill. I was terribly disappointed 
that we put aside that bill this week. I don't recall another event 
quite like that where we literally pulled the Defense authorization 
bill for special interest legislation. With men and women in harm's 
way, when we are at war, it was stunning to me we would replace that 
effort with the proposal to provide immunity, in effect, to gun 
manufacturers and dealers with the legislation that was enacted earlier 
this afternoon.
  Putting aside my view on that bill, which I have expressed earlier 
this week, I am stunned that the Senate would prematurely cease action 
on legislation to help our men and women in uniform would get 
everything they possibly need--not to mention provide support for 
veterans, for survivors' families, and for the weapons systems that are 
essential to our national security. I found it unbelievable we would 
set aside that legislation in order to provide legal immunity for gun 
dealers and gun manufacturers in the United States. I have never seen 
anything like it in my service.
  I recall once, last year, there was an effort to cease work on the 
Defense authorization bill in order to consider the class action reform 
bill, which I supported and was deeply involved in crafting. We 
succeeded in dissuading those who wanted to make that move. We went 
forward and completed the work on the Defense authorization bill. We 
did not do that this time.
  I hope when we return in September the first order of business will 
be to complete the Defense authorization bill. It is critically 
important that people who serve in the military, those who are our 
veterans, those whose loved ones have made the ultimate sacrifice, 
those who have served and given their lives for our country, that they 
understand how important we think that legislation is. I urge my 
colleagues and the leadership to place that item as the No. 1 item when 
we return in September.
  In closing, Mr. President, the shield law, terrorism risk insurance 
legislation, and the Defense authorization bill are three pieces of 
legislation I hope will become priority bills when we return this fall.
  I yield the floor.

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