Speech #1090130894

I was on the floor. but was unable to record a vote on an amendment offered by my colleague VIRGIL GOODE during consideration of H.R. 5122. the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007. However I want to make it clear that I intended to vote aye for I am a strong supporter of this amendment. Representative GOODEs amendment authorizes the Secretary of Defense to assign members of the armed forces to assist the Department of Homeland Security in the pertormance of border protection functions. Securing our borders against terrorists. drug traffickers and illegal aliens is of great importance to our national security. I would like to point out that I voted for this exact same amendment last year when Representative GOODE offered it during consideration of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006. I am a strong supporter of H.R. 5122. the National Defense Authorization Ad for Fiscal Year 2007 and I voted for its final passage.