Wilson’s Statement on Passage of National Defense Authorization Act

"I want to thank Chairman Ike Skelton and Ranking Member Buck McKeon for producing an excellent bill in committee to address the needs of America's military men and women. I also thank my colleagues on the Armed Services Committee for supporting my efforts to protect TRICARE from the health care takeover, increase military pay, and require a study on the closure of Yucca Mountain.

"Unfortunately, this strong piece of legislation was hijacked by those determined to repeal the long-standing policy of ‘Don't Ask, Don't Tell.'

"It is extremely unfortunate that Democrats ignored their elected chairman, Congressman Ike Skelton, and the Service Chiefs about this long-standing policy and shoved it forward for a vote," said Congressman Joe Wilson.

Information on Congressman Wilson's TRICARE amendment that was included in the bill language can be found here.

Wilson's floor speech on the Yucca Mountain study can be viewed here.

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