Speech #1090174865

I think it is especially important to ensure that we have the opportunity to take final action on the Defense appropriations bill and the Defense authorization conference report. These vital pieces of legislation will continue to ensure that our military personnel involved in the global war on terrorism. as well as our National Guard personnel at home. have the necessary equipment and resources to do their jobs. We need to ensure that our Guard personnel stationed on the U.S. border can continue in their homeland security and defense roles. enhance the efforts of Border Patrol agents. and be available to support Governors in the case of any natural disaster that may arise. The Defense appropriations conference report which we will be considering later this week provides $86 billion for military personnel. $120 billion for operations and maintenance. $80 billion for procurement. and $75 billion for research and development. all to ensure that our Nations military has the resources they need to carry out the responsibilities that we as a nation have asked of them. I would also like to ask the leadership in both the House and the Senate to make every effort to take final action on the national Defense authorization conference report this week.