Providing for Consideration of H.R. 1815, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year2006

PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 1815, NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006 -- (House of Representatives - May 25, 2005)

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Ms. SLAUGHTER. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Matsui).

(Ms. MATSUI asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Ms. MATSUI. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from New York for yielding me this time.

Our men and women in uniform are honorably serving this Nation on the ground in Iraq, Afghanistan, and many other locations. But because of our commitments, our Armed Forces are relying even more heavily than usual on our National Guard and Reserves.

It is estimated that National Guard forces make up about half of the U.S. force on the ground in Iraq. With this in mind, it is truly disappointing that an excellent amendment by the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Taylor) was not made in order under this rule.

The Taylor amendment would give our Reserve and National Guard members full access to TRICARE, the health care insurance provided to those in our Armed Forces.

It is simply irresponsible for us to allow the families of 20 percent of Reservists and National Guardsmen to go without health care benefits.

Our National Guard and Reserves know that they can be called up for more than the usual 1 weekend a month, but they never would have expected their 1-year tours of duty to be extended well beyond that time frame. I am concerned that the civilian leadership of the military has forced us to lean so heavily on the Reserve and National Guard personnel.

These men and women serving in the National Guard and Reserves are responding to the unexpected; and now we, their government, need to respond in kind and not with a lot of platitudes. For all that these men and women are doing, we should be able to find the $1 billion necessary to provide them and their families with health care.

Offering every member of the National Guard and Reserves the ability to access health care coverage is a moral issue. Our treatment of our Reserve and Guard members is unacceptable. The Taylor amendment began to address it. I am truly saddened that at a time of great service and dedication on their part, we are quibbling about fully providing for our servicemen and -women.

The line between active and reserve personnel has already been blurred. Our Guard and Reservists need to be focused on fulfilling their missions. They should not have worries in the back of their mind about whether their spouse or their child is getting health care back home.

This provision, passed in full committee, deserves debate on the House floor. I encourage my colleagues to oppose this rule which will allow this amendment to be made in order. We should honor our servicemembers and give them the health care coverage they not only deserve, but are entitled to.

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