Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011

Floor Speech

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Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this Continuing Resolution, which will fund continued government operations through December 3, 2010.

Mr. Speaker, I have no substantive objection to the temporary funding, authorization extensions and other spending included in this legislation. They are necessary to keep the government running and to minimize program disruption until Congress' FY 2011 appropriations bills can be enacted into law. But I am deeply disappointed that due to Republican opposition in the Senate the bill does not include a critical provision for our nation's wounded warriors.

This zero-cost technical correction, developed in consultation with and supported by the Department of Defense, would have allowed $300 million of already appropriated FY 10 funds to be spent on needed BRAC-related infrastructure improvements at our nation's military medical hospitals. As a result of the action in the Senate, wounded warriors and their families may very well not get timely access to the care they have earned and deserve.

Mr. Speaker, I will support today's Continuing Resolution, but I will continue to work with the Department of Defense and my colleagues in both chambers on both sides of the aisle to make sure the federal government meets its responsibilities to our nation's wounded warriors. With BRAC-mandated consolidation at our military medical facilities now less than a year away, there is literally not a moment to waste.

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