National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. DAINES. I thank Senator Sullivan.

What an honor to stand here today next to two lieutenant colonels-- Lieutenant Colonel Ernst and Lieutenant Colonel Sullivan.

Lieutenant Colonel Ernst was the first woman to ever serve in combat and also serve in the U.S. Senate. I am truly grateful for their service.

I thank them also for organizing this colloquy and bringing us together. The leadership they provide as Members who have worn and do wear the uniform of the U.S. military and also serve in the Senate is critical in this most perilous time for our Nation as we face the many threats around the world--and to think that the Senate is going to recess tonight for an extended summer recess and leaving the very important unfinished business of funding the U.S. military and our troops.

Today the Senate Democrats are expected to once again block the consideration of the Defense Appropriations Act of 2017, denying our troops proper funding and support they deserve. What kind of message does that send to the men and women who are today putting their lives at risk to protect our country? What message does that send to them?

As Senator Sullivan said, and Senator Ernst, this is not the first time. It is not the second time. It is not the third time. It is not the fourth time. It is the fifth time we will see our friends across the aisle, Senate Democrats, filibuster the funding of our troops. This reminds me of ``Goundhog Day.''

What is even more frustrating, the Senate Democrats are refusing to even debate the issue. I spent 28 years in the private sector. I will tell you, one way to assure you don't get anything done is to not even discuss it. That seems to be the road the Senate Democrats are taking. It is the low road, not the high road.

They would prefer to once again obstruct what we call regular order in this body, much in the same fashion they did during the past few years, which became the hallmark of a failed Democratic-led Senate majority. While our troops are actively engaged in multiple theaters across the world, and they need the critical support for our growing mission overseas, my friends from across the aisle are actively blocking our troops from being combat-ready.

Let's remember--just remember this: A few short weeks ago, the House of Representatives passed this bill on a solid bipartisan vote, 282 to 138--48 Democrats supported that bill. It passed with strong bipartisan support. Then, over here on the Senate side--I serve on the Appropriations Committee. We passed this bill out of the Appropriations Committee by a vote of 30 to 0--30 to 0. That is called a shutout, that is called running up the score.

I remember that clearly. Not one Democrat opposed this bill to fund our troops when it passed out of committee. Yet, when it comes to the floor, the Senate minority leader now is instructing the Senate Democrats to filibuster getting the bill even debated here as well as passed on the Senate floor. What has changed? What has changed? Nothing has changed, except for the fact that our troops are not getting the funding and support they need. Is that what you really want, Mr. Minority Leader?

The passage of this legislation is critical to carrying out the missions in an increasingly dangerous world. I can tell you one thing: Our enemies are not waiting for Senate Democrats to fund our troops and make it a fair fight. This bill pays the salaries of 1.2 million military Active Duty, 800,000 Reservists. The Senate Democrats are saying no to almost 10,000 troops engaged, right now as we speak, in combat in Afghanistan, an additional 5,000 troops in harm's way in Iraq, and many more throughout the globe.

I come from Montana. We have one of the highest per capita vet populations in the United States. I am proud of the Malmstrom Air Force Base. We have one-third of our Nation's ICBMs ready at any moment here to defend our freedom. They silently sit across the plains of Montana. Senate Democrats are failing them. It is unacceptable.

As the Senate heads home for the work period, I challenge my Democratic colleagues to go back home and look at those veterans and those Active-Duty troops in the eyes and ask: Did I serve these selfless men and woman or did I let the minority leader of the Democrats play cheap party politics with funding their pay? The minority leader's constituents in Nevada deserve more, Montanans deserve more, and the American people deserve more.

I want to now recognize the junior Senator from North Carolina Thom Tillis, who has an amazing group of Active military and veterans there in North Carolina. I am proud to stand here with Senator Tillis. I look forward to what Senator Tillis has to say.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source