S2338 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE April 8, 2011 To my friends on the Republican side I am especially concerned, of course, IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN of the aisle, I want to say, there are about those who are overseas, but their VETERANS OF AMERICA, many instances where we might agree families are at home, because if the Washington, DC, April 7, 2011. on social issues and some where we mom or dad is overseas and there is a Hon. KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON, 248 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, might disagree. That is the healthy glitch somewhere, they are not here to DC. part of our democracy. It is what help. I think it would be unthinkable DEAR SENATOR HUTCHISON: Iraq and Af- makes us so unique. I assure you, there that we would go to midnight and not ghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) is a time and a place for everything. have taken care of these families and strongly supports S. 724, the Ensuring Pay There is a time and a place for those assured them that everything is going for Our Military Act of 2011. This bill ensures votes. But not tonight. Today is not to be fine. that all members of the Armed Forces will that time. Our deadline is here and rap- continue to receive the pay and allowances I want to say that I hope there is an they have earned despite any lack of interim idly approaching, as you can see. agreement, and I have heard the rumor or full-year appropriations. My hope and prayer is that tonight that there is an agreement. If there is Our men and women in uniform protect we will do what is right, we will come one, I know that it will include mili- our nation and continue to do so despite together as Americans, and we will tary pay. I believe that. If, for any rea- budget disagreements in Washington. The agree to a commonsense budget that is son, that agreement does not happen in members of our Armed Forces are essential to the defense of our nation and must be the first step to putting our fiscal the next 3 hours, or if the agreement house back in order. That is why the treated as such. doesn’t include military pay—which I Many young service members and their people of West Virginia sent me here. I don’t think will happen—I think both families are dealing with multiple deploy- took that oath of office not just to rep- Houses of Congress want to serve our ments and often live paycheck to paycheck. resent the Democrats on my side of the soldiers and their families, but I will be Military families should not be asked to bear party or the Democrats in West Vir- here until midnight, and I am going to further financial stress in addition to fight- ginia, I took that oath of office to rep- make sure that whatever happens, ei- ing the war on terrorism. This legislation protects the men and women who protect us. resent everybody in West Virginia: ther S. 724, with 77 sponsors in the Sen- Democrats, Republicans, all different If we can be of any help in advancing S. 724 ate, is passed, or that we have an please contact Tim Embree at (202) 544–7692 walks of life. I am going to do every- agreement that both Houses have be- or [email protected]. We look forward to work- thing I can to make sure they under- fore them that will assure that the ing with you. stand I am here for them. military pay is handled in that other Sincerely, Mr. President, I suggest the absence agreement. PAUL RIECKHOFF, of a quorum. Executive Director. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The So we are going to be here for 3 more clerk will call the roll. hours and make sure that the will of NATIONAL ASSOCIATION The bill clerk proceeded to call the the Senate, which is very clear with 77 FOR UNIFORMED SERVICES, roll. sponsors, is met. Springfield, VA, April 7, 2011. I want to just mention again that Hon. KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON, Ms. STABENOW. Mr. President, I ask U.S. Senate, unanimous consent that the order for there was a Web site put up early this Washington, DC. the quorum call be rescinded. morning by just one woman who was DEAR SENATOR HUTCHISON: On behalf of the The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without very concerned about this issue and more than 180,000 members and supporters of objection, it is so ordered. heard about my bill in the news. Her the National Association for Uniformed Services (NAUS), I would like to offer our f name is Hope Guinn Bradley. She is from Hawaii. I do not know her. She full support for your legislation S. 724, the EXTENSION OF MORNING has started a social media network like Ensuring Pay for Our Military Act of 2011, a BUSINESS bill to assure that, in the event of a federal I have never witnessed in my life. We government shutdown, our nation’s men and Ms. STABENOW. Mr. President, I ask now have over 1 million support hits on women in uniform would continue to receive unanimous consent that the period for her Web site, called Ensuring Pay for their military pay and allowances. morning business for debate only be ex- our Military Act of 2011. In one day, The Ensuring Pay for Our Military Act tended until 10:30 p.m., with Senators she has accumulated 1 million support would make available the necessary funds to permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes sentences, or messages, for what she is prevent an interruption in pay for members each, with the majority leader to be doing. of the military if there is a funding gap re- sulting from a government shutdown. The recognized at 10:30 p.m. If you would go to that Web site and The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there bill also includes a provision to authorize the do nothing else but read those com- Secretary of Defense to allow those who objection? ments by people who are supporting serve as DOD civilians or contractors in sup- Without objection, it is so ordered. our military and who are clearly in the port of our men and women in uniform to The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- support of our military—you know, I continue to be paid as well. ator from Texas is recognized. would like for the military people to The National Association for Uniformed Services thanks you for introducing legisla- Mrs. HUTCHISON. Mr. President, I see it just so they understand how ask unanimous consent to add Sen- tion that demonstrates our nation’s appre- much America appreciates them and ciation for those who serve in our Armed ators LEAHY, MERKLEY, and BOXER as what they do because they are saying cosponsors to S. 724. Forces. We look forward to working with you to the people here in Washington, DC: and your staff and deeply appreciate your The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without You take care of our young men and continued support of the American soldier objection, it is so ordered. women who are fighting for us. You and their families. Mrs. HUTCHISON. Mr. President, better do it or there will be con- Sincerely, this brings to 77, out of 100 Senators, ICHARD ONES sequences. R A. J , who are now sponsoring this bill. Our Legislative Director. bill, S. 724, is very simple. It just says Are they right? Absolutely. I have if there is a government shutdown, our spoken a couple of times today. I want MILITARY OFFICERS ASSOCIATION military will be paid their full pay on to make sure that we have the letters OF AMERICA, April 8, 2011. time. from the military organizations that have been written in support of S. 724. Hon. KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON, This bill is the very least we can do U.S. Senate, to assure every military family that There is one from the Iraq and Afghan- Washington, DC. they do not have to worry for one istan Veterans of America that wrote a DEAR SENATOR HUTCHISON: On behalf of the minute whether their mortgage is wonderful letter. I ask unanimous con- 377,000 members of the Military Officers As- going to be paid, whether their car pay- sent that it be printed in the RECORD sociation of America (MOAA), I am writing ments will be paid, or whether they along with two other letters to which I to urge you to cosponsor S. 724, the ‘‘Ensur- will refer. ing Pay For Our Military Act of 2011,’’ re- will be able to get over this hump with- cently introduced by Senators Bob Casey and out thinking that there might be a There being no objection, the mate- Kay Bailey Hutchison. halving of their pay, or that it might rial was ordered to be printed in the Recent media stories stating be delayed. RECORD, as follows: servicemembers may not be paid in the event

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:42 Apr 09, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00052 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G08AP6.068 S08APPT1 rfrederick on DSKD9S0YB1PROD with SENATE April 8, 2011 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2339 of a government shutdown are only adding to have to worry that we will not have enough The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. unfair pressures on already over-stressed money to pay our bills and our credit might MERKLEY). The Senator from Illinois. troops and families. be harmed, there is no safety net to help Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I thank With loved ones involved in three separate catch us when we fall behind, no interest on the Senator from Texas and her co- combat operations and humanitarian relief the back pay that we will be missing, or the in Japan, military families should not have late fees waived when we can’t pay all of our sponsor, the Senator from Pennsyl- to wonder if they will be able to cover house bills. We would have to tell our German vania, Mr. CASEY. They expressed the and car payments and other bills. landlords that we cannot afford to give them deep-felt sentiments of all of us. I am S. 724 would continue pay and allowances money, how are they supposed to under- happy to be a cosponsor of this legisla- for active and reserve component forces in stand? They are not in this situation, we as tion. the event of a failure to enact interim or Americans are. I am not complaining of I can assure the Senator from Texas full-year appropriations for the Armed being a military spouse; I chose this life. I that we have discussed this at length Forces. Absent any assurance that pay will knew of the hardships of deployments (my in our caucus, and there will be ample continue, MOAA believes this legislation is husband has served in both Afghanistan and opportunity for all Members to join in essential to provide fair treatment for mili- Iraq), and I love what my family does. I hope tary members and families. and pray that this issue will be resolved an effort to make certain our men and We respectfully request that you cosponsor soon. women in uniform, who are risking and support immediate passage of S. 724 to Mr. President, really—I mean really, their lives, will not be in any way dis- ensure this situation never arises again in we have 3 hours until midnight. Can we advantaged by what is going on on Cap- the future. tell these people that they might get itol Hill. Sincerely, I share her frustration and anxiety. I half their paycheck on April 15? We VADM NORBERT RYAN, Jr., have been listening and watching these can’t. President, MOAA. negotiations now for weeks. I cannot Mrs. HUTCHISON. The Iraq and Af- Here is another letter. I am obviously not reading the names, although they believe we have reached this point— ghanistan Veterans of America under- less than 3 hours from a government stand better than anybody what it is are on here. I don’t want to in any way harm them: shutdown—when the differences are so like to serve there and to not have any minor, when there are so few things in As a veteran of OEF (Operation Enduring other stresses that would add to what disagreement. It is time, literally, for they are already doing for our country. Freedom), I stand behind you 100 percent and so do many others. This will tear morale the Speaker of the House to come for- They say pass S. 724. from the troops and their families, which can ward and accept the dollar amount he The National Association for Uni- be a dangerous thing. The mental and finan- agreed to last night in the White House formed Services, with more than 180,000 cial balance soldiers and their families are Oval Office, to accept that amount members, sent a letter in support. on, as it is, is a delicate one. They live which dramatically cuts spending to The Military Officers Association of month to month. Most are enlisted and make help reduce our deficit. America has also added its support scratch as it is. Cutting more pay will put I do not know why we have literally with 377,000 members. these families on the chopping block, and when a soldier’s family is put in that posi- wasted this entire day in negotiations We have the grassroots support. Ev- back and forth. Part of it was wasted, eryone understands this. I will read a tion, that soldier is no longer fighting for his country but is now fighting for his family I am afraid, on this whole question of couple of the messages that have been against his country. This would destroy the funding the access of women and fami- on this wonderful Web site, but, first, basic foundation of all our forces from the lies across America to health care. I here is one that came to my Web site: core. understand that has been worked out Dear Senator Hutchison: My husband There are 1 million hits on this Web now during the course of the day. The serves as a Captain in the United States site. So many of them are touching, Speaker has considered a different ap- Army. As the wife of a currently deployed many are pleading, some are angry. I proach to it, thank goodness. soldier and mother to our two-year-old son, Now is the time to close the deal. I find it outrageous that our government is just want to say I do have faith that in debating whether or not to continue to pay the next 3 hours, we will ensure that Now is the time to get our job done. our troops. these people are taken care of. I do Now is the time to not only stand up While my husband and I are very fiscally have that faith. But we only have 3 for the men and women in uniform— responsible, many of his junior soldiers sim- more hours. I want to ensure that we and they should be our first obliga- ply cannot handle the implication of what it are going to be here. If it starts getting tion—but stand up for so many others would mean to not receive their paychecks. to 11 o’clock and we have 1 more hour deserving of our help too. They are not We worry for these soldiers’ families. How to ensure that not 1 more hour passes covered by this bill. Right now, there will they afford groceries? How will they af- ford diapers for their babies? Will they be after midnight that this cannot be are FBI agents in America risking able to pay their rent or mortgages? These taken care of, I am going to be here, their lives tracking drug dealers and are not questions that we should have to ask. and we are going to do it. And I am so terrorists who are about to learn at Money should not be a worry on these sol- proud that so far we have 77 cosponsors midnight that their jobs are in jeop- diers’ minds. My husband and the soldiers in of this bill. I think we will have unani- ardy, if not closed down, until Congress his unit do incredibly dangerous missions mous support for it. I do. But 77 people relents. The same thing is true about and quite frankly it frightens me that this have made sure they called to be a co- those in our intelligence community could split their focus in a very negative sponsor of this bill. I am proud we have around the world. They may not wear a way. My husband and his fellow soldiers risk something very bipartisan in a very uniform, but they are literally risking their lives on a daily basis. They miss holi- partisan atmosphere. That is maybe a their lives as well for the security of days and their children’s birthdays. They de- ray of hope that this is going to be the United States in countries far and serve to know that the same government done in the right way. wide across this globe. The list just that sent them over to fight is looking out I want the people of this country to goes on and on. for them. They deserve to know that our know and I want it to be in the CON- We first think of our military, as we government would not send them over to a GRESSIONAL RECORD the overwhelming should, but they are not the only ones war zone and then deny them their pay. My support that has now come because of who are making great sacrifice for the husband does not have the luxury to ‘‘walk safety of this country. When I think of off the job.’’ He stays there until the mission the debate, what people are seeing and is complete, and the Senate has a mission as their support for the military. their valor and courage, I wonder well: to pass the Ensuring Pay for Our Mili- The Presiding Officer is a cosponsor whether our leaders can summon tary Act of 2011, S. 724. of the bill. The Senator who is taking the courage, particularly at this point Here is another hit that was found on his place right now is also a supporter I hope the Speaker can summon the the Ensuring Pay for Our Military Act of this bill—Senator MERKLEY, Senator courage to bring his caucus together of 2011 Web site: UDALL, Senator DURBIN, Senator and to vote, to avert this embarras- As a military wife who is expecting our KERRY. We have very strong bipartisan sing—embarrassing—shutdown which first child in June, my husband and I re- support. It is my faith that we are will occur in less than 3 hours unless cently PCS’d overseas and are already on a going to do what is right for our mili- something happens. tight budget to pay our new bills in Euros tary because we can do no less. I still believe it will. I still believe we and our bills stateside in dollars. Now we I yield the floor. have that chance, and I hope Senator

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Mr. President, I partisan way, maybe on her bill, maybe those who are wearing the uniform ask unanimous consent that the order on another bill, but we will stand in a serving our country in a situation for the quorum call be rescinded. bipartisan way to protect these troops. where they are not paid. This, of The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. I thank her again for her leadership. course, affects drug enforcement COONS). Without objection, it is so or- There is evidence between her and Sen- agents and many others across the dered. ator CASEY that there is a strong bipar- Federal spectrum. But these troops f tisan feeling that we need to get this overseas are bearing hardship enough EXTENSION OF MORNING job done before the Senate shuts down. to not be caught up in a debate here BUSINESS I yield the floor and suggest the ab- which is necessary, a debate that needs sence of a quorum. to be resolved. Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Mr. President, I The PRESIDING OFFICER. The As I said earlier when I spoke this ask unanimous consent that the period clerk will call the roll. morning or early afternoon, this is just for morning business for debate only be The assistant legislative clerk pro- a small little brushfire, as dramatic as extended until 11:15 p.m., with Sen- ceeded to call the roll. the press has made it, and it does have ators permitted to speak for up to 10 Mrs. HUTCHISON. Mr. President, I consequences—serious consequences. minutes each, with the majority leader ask unanimous consent that the order But compared to the size of the prob- to be recognized at 11:15 p.m. for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without lem our Nation faces from a fiscal an objection? objection, it is so ordered. standpoint relative to what we need to Without objection, it is so ordered. Mrs. HUTCHISON. Mr. President, I do and what we need to be debating, Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Mr. President, I appreciate very much what the leader this is a small part, just talking about suggest the absence of a quorum. has said. I know this has been arduous, funding for the next 6 months to fill a The PRESIDING OFFICER. The and I know the negotiations have been gap that was left when no budget was arduous. That is why I believe that in passed and no action was taken on it in clerk will call the roll. the next 3 hours, we will do the right the last Congress, the last fiscal year, The legislative clerk proceeded to thing on this issue. I hope we do the to put us in a position where we can call the roll. right thing for all of our country. move into and debate the real issue Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unan- We have not talked about the other that is before us; that is, how do we imous consent that the order for the Federal employees who are essential make decisions that will affect the quorum call be rescinded. and those who are going to be fur- long-term spending of this country, af- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without loughed. There are so many people in fect our budget and our deficit, and objection, it is so ordered. this country who are going to be af- bring us back to a fiscally responsible f fected in so many ways if there is a place? DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AND government shutdown. I am focusing I hope as negotiations continue to go FURTHER ADDITIONAL CON- on the ones who cannot help them- forward that we can resolve this today TINUING APPROPRIATIONS ACT, selves right now because they are over- so that we can begin that important 2011 seas protecting our freedom, but there debate. But if we cannot, at the very are many people who are going to have least, I believe it is important that we Mr. REID. Mr. President, I will read hardships that are unnecessary. extend this for a small amount of a statement that was issued by Speak- I do appreciate what Senator DURBIN time—I regret we have to do it—so we er BOEHNER and myself a few minutes has said. can bring it to its final conclusion. But ago. This is the statement: There is one other person I want to the most important point is that before We have agreed to an historic amount of mention; that is, Congressman LOUIE midnight, we have to make sure we cuts for the remainder of this fiscal year, as GOHMERT. He started on the House side pass legislation which will ensure that well as a short-term bridge that will give us with the same bill I have introduced on time to avoid a shutdown while we get that our people in uniform are paid their agreement through both houses and to the the Senate side. He has gained large rightful due for the service they are President. We will cut $78.5 billion below the support on the House side for this leg- providing. Again, I commend the Sen- President’s 2011 budget proposal, and we islation. I commend Congressman ator from Texas for reminding us of have reached an agreement on the policy rid- GOHMERT for assuring, as we were that and being vigilant in making sure ers. In the meantime, we will pass a short- watching this week the very spirited we absolutely address that issue before term resolution to keep the government run- debate that has gone on about the pos- this time runs out. ning through Thursday. That short-term sibility of having a government shut- Mr. President, I yield the floor and bridge will cut the first $2 billion of the total savings. down—LOUIE GOHMERT stepped up first. suggest the absence of a quorum. I give him credit for saying there is one The PRESIDING OFFICER. The I, first of all, express my appreciation group we cannot leave behind no mat- clerk will call the roll. to the Speaker and his office. It has ter what happens. Our bills are vir- The assistant legislative clerk pro- been a grueling process. We did not do tually the same. Whichever House can ceeded to call the roll. it at this late hour for drama. We did it pass it first is fine with me because Mrs. HUTCHISON. Mr. President, I because it has been very hard to arrive whatever we do, we have to do it to- ask unanimous consent that the order at this point. gether and we have to do it before mid- for the quorum call be rescinded. I also express my appreciation to my night. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without counterpart, Senator MCCONNELL. We The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- objection, it is so ordered. have talked during this process on a ator from Indiana. Mrs. HUTCHISON. Mr. President, I number of occasions. We have, as we Mr. COATS. Mr. President, I just ask unanimous consent to add Senator say here, on many occasions it has wandered onto the floor hoping we LANDRIEU as a cosponsor of Senate bill turned out to be we have a terrific rela- were coming close to some type of an 724. tionship. We do our best to protect agreement. I very much regret that we The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without each caucus. We have our battles here. have to careen from week to week, objection, it is so ordered. But he is a pleasure to work with. I ad- from period to period funding our gov- Mrs. HUTCHISON. Mr. President, mire and appreciate his work for the ernment on a temporary basis. I think that makes 78 Members of the Senate people of Kentucky and the country. all of us were hoping we could get this who are now sponsoring this bill for This has been a long process. It has resolved. I still hold out some hope. our military. not been an easy process. Both sides There is 2 hours and 50 minutes or so of Mr. President, I suggest the absence have had to make tough choices, but negotiations still to go. of a quorum. tough choices are what this job is all

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