Bipartisan inhofemikulski amendment to the National Defense authorization act. What does our amendment do . It stops the privatization of commissaries which are an earned, earned benefit for our military and their families. Every year when the Senate Debates this bill, we talk about how we love our troops and how we always want to support our military families, but if we really love our troops, we need to make sure that our troops have the support that they need. One of the earned benefits that does that is the commissaries, and if we love our troops, why would we want to proceed in the direction that we are . Our troops dont view commissaries as a subsidy. They view it as do i as an earned benefit. Im fighting here to preserve this piece of the earned benefit compensation package. Now, what are the commissaries . Since 1826, military families have been able to shop at a network of stores that provide modestly priced groceries. The commissary system is simple. If youre active duty in y
In income. So instead of standing in the corner and figuring out how to bring a trade bill to the floor they ought to be fixing equal pay for equal work, they ought to be fixing Student Loans for our students, they ought to be passing a highway bill, they ought to be increasing the minimum wage, and they ought to deal with currency fairness because our trading partners, they play with their currency in order to push forward their products. But oh, no. That is not on the agenda. We could have an agenda for a vibrant middle class but instead of that, we are moving toward a trade bill. Now, i know there are some who disagree with me, who come down this floor and say were going to create jobs with this trade bill its going to be great. Well let them explain how were not going to see some of the 12 million jobs that are manufacturing jobs in america not move to countries who pay 56 cents an hour. Another country 1. 19 an hour. I know theyll disagree with me. Theyre making all of these promi
And the implications on the vote. We begin with Majority Leader Mitch Mcconnell. What we gistjust saw is pretty shocking. There are always limits to what could be accomplished when the American People chose divided government. but of course it doesnt mean washington shouldnt work toward Bipartisan Solutions that make sense for our country. Trade offers a perfect opportunity to do just that. We believe in lifting up the middle class and knocking down unfair barriers that discriminate against American Workers and products in the 21st century. On this issue the president agrees. We worked in good faith all year long to formulate a package both parties could support. The Top Republican on the finance committee, senator hatch, engaged in several months of negotiation with senator wyden. They talked with chairman ryan consulted with president obama, with democrats, with republicans, the issues they had to work through were tough. Difficult concessions had to be made. Many believed an agreeme
The speaker pro tempore on this vote the yeas are 24. The nays are 195. The previous question is ordered. The question is on adoption of the resolution. So many as are in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it. Mr. Hastings mr. Speaker, i ask for a recorded vote. The speaker pro tempore a recorded vote is requested. A sufficient number having arisen, a recorded vote is ordered. Members will record their votes by electronic device. This is a fiveminute vote. [captioning made possible by the national captioning institute, inc. , in cooperation with the United States house of representatives. Any use of the closedcaptioned coverage of the house proceedings for political or commercial purposes is expressly prohibited by the u. S. House of representatives. ] the speaker pro tempore on this vote the yeas are 223. The nays are 194. The resolution is adopted. Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. The chair lays before the hou
In March 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a ban on the ongoing use of chrysotile asbestos in connection with health problems associated with asbestos exposure.