Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2015

Floor Speech

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Mr. RUIZ. Mr. Speaker, this is the final amendment to the bill, which will not kill the bill or send it back to committee. If adopted, the bill will immediately proceed to final passage, as amended.

Here in Congress, we wrestle with some of the hardest choices about the future of our great Nation, but sometimes these choices are very easy. Some choices cut across party lines, define our values as Americans, and give us an opportunity to stand together and fight for what is important.

The easy choice today is to either fund more wasteful and outdated printing services or fund the Wounded Warrior Program. The Wounded Warrior Program in Congress provides paid fellowships for injured veterans to work in congressional offices across the country to help serve other veterans and gain work experience as they assimilate back into civilian life.

There has never been a more important time for the heroes who have defended our country to play these pivotal roles in shaping our laws. I have the honor of working with a Wounded Warrior fellow in my office, and I have seen firsthand their dedication and greatness.

Chris Rennick is a marine from the 1st Battalion in Twentynine Palms, California, who served in Iraq. He was raised on a farm by his godparents, Linda and David Matheny. Mr. Matheny always told him, ``Chris, do your best,'' and that is exactly what Chris did.

He deployed twice with the United States Marine Corps. His first was with the ``tip of the spear'' in the first invasion of Iraq in 2003. Chris was injured in an IED blast in his first deployment and still returned to Iraq for a second tour in 2004, and again was injured in an IED explosion.

Chris served honorably and received the Good Conduct Medal, the Combat Action Medal, and the Iraq Expeditionary Medal. Chris' unit received the Presidential Unit Citation.

After serving in the Marines, Chris came home and dealt with a traumatic brain injury and posttraumatic stress disorder. He told me he was in a bad place. He struggled to hold down three jobs while caring for himself. It was a fellow veteran in the Wounded Warrior battalion who reached out and helped Chris get back on track. Now Chris does the same for others, as a Wounded Warrior fellow.

Chris joined the Wounded Warrior Program because he still firmly believes in the Marine Corps motto, ``Semper Fidelis,'' always faithful. Chris remains always faithful to his brothers in arms and to this day is always faithful to our great country that he sacrificed for.

In his short time with my office, less than 1 year, Chris has helped over 300 veterans in my district alone receive the benefits that they have earned and get the care that they need. Chris' passion for helping veterans is an inspiration for me and, I know, for all of you, and that is the reason why we must fully fund the Wounded Warrior Program.

My motion to recommit would fund the Wounded Warrior Program with 30 slots for both Republicans and Democrats by redirecting $767,000 from the Government Printing Office. Additionally, it would provide $267,000 for Books for the Blind and Handicapped. We can do all of this with no new spending.

So the choice today is clear and it is easy: Would you rather fund more printed outdated copies of the Congressional Record and House legislative calendar, or would you rather support our Wounded Warrior fellows like Chris?

This institution and this entire country needs heroes' voices like Chris' in every decision that we make. I urge you to vote ``yes'' and support our veterans and those with disabilities by supporting these critical programs.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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