[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 10]
[House]
[Pages 13477-13478]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      PROVIDING FOR AMERICAN SOLDIERS, VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES

  (Mr. McNERNEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. McNERNEY. Mr. Speaker, last week this House passed a bipartisan 
defense authorization bill. The legislation includes two provisions to 
which President Bush objected. One gives our military a well-deserved 
pay raise, and the other offers surviving spouses of fallen armed 
servicemembers an additional $40 per month.
  Our men and women in uniform and their family members have sacrificed 
enormously. They have earned honor, and they deserve the benefits that 
would be provided to them in this bill.
  While the President has repeatedly called for supporting our troops 
and their families, it appears that his words do not match his deeds. 
On the other hand, this Congress has committed to providing our troops 
the equipment, training and benefits they need and deserve, ensuring 
our veterans get the care to which they are entitled and caring for our 
military families who endure many issues when their loved ones serve 
overseas and when they return home.

[[Page 13478]]

  Our Nation owes our soldiers, our veterans and our families more than 
just empty talk.

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