Memorial Day Salute to Men and Women in Uniform

Floor Speech

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to represent MacDill Air Force Base back home in Tampa, Florida, where the mission partners include the 6th Air Mobility Wing, Special Operations Command, and Central Command. Now, the Democrats will bring the defense bill to the floor of the House this week to provide them with the tools they need to be successful in their missions.

The defense bill will follow a strong commitment by this Congress under Democratic leadership to our military families and our military personnel:

One, robust pay raises for our military over the past 3 years.

Two, the new GI Bill, where Democrats restored the promise to these brave men and women who have served this country in Iraq and Afghanistan for a full 4-year scholarship.

Jobs for veterans. The Recovery Act provided tax incentives to businesses who are sending soldiers off to war.

And a historic veterans budget that the American Legion hailed as a "cause for celebration'' because Democrats led a bipartisan effort to adopt the largest funding increase in veterans health care and other services in the history of the VA.

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