[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 9]
[House]
[Page 12641]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 HOUSE WORKS IN STRONG BIPARTISAN FASHION TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF OUR 
                              ARMED FORCES

  (Mr. WILSON of Ohio asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute.)
  Mr. WILSON of Ohio. Madam Speaker, today the House begins debate on 
the Defense authorization bill, a bill that was passed out of the Armed 
Services Committee 58-0, unanimously. The legislation received the 
support of the entire committee because it focuses on our Nation's 
immediate threats and the benefits our soldiers need today.
  The Defense bill authorizes substantial resources to improve the 
protection of our troops, including $4 billion for Mine Resistant 
Ambush Protected Vehicles. These vehicles have been shown to 
dramatically reduce the injuries of our soldiers. We want to ensure 
that our troops have access to the best equipment that will protect 
them while they are in battle.
  In his budget earlier this year, the President proposed giving our 
troops a 3 percent pay raise. This Congress believes they deserve more, 
and consequently they will receive a 3.5 percent raise.
  Madam Speaker, this Defense bill shows our dedication to the troops 
on the front lines, and it deserves strong bipartisan support.

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