Video: Rep. Murphy Takes to the House Floor to Call for a Military Pay Raise, Part 1. (11/06/07)

Mr. PATRICK J. MURPHY of Pennsylvania.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise today for a simple yet important purpose. I rise alongside my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to say that we support a 3.5 percent pay increase for the brave men and women of our Armed Forces.

Madam Speaker, when I was serving in Baghdad, I fought alongside Specialist Juan Arevalo, or ``RV'' to his friends and fellow paratroopers. RV is a quick-witted and fearless Texan who had the trust of everyone in our brigade and would say things to make us laugh or make us think, even during war.

We used to joke that RV signed up for active duty in the Army without even knowing that soldiers got paid. The joke was that he was so innocent, he thought the only compensation he received was training, housing, and three square meals a day. Serving in Iraq and making just over $15,000 a year, RV told everybody he was the richest man in Iraq.

Even though RV would have worked for free in our military, he shouldn't have to, and neither should the families who depend on their loved ones overseas.

More than 1.6 million soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines have been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. Many of them multiple times. These are the brave men and women whose pay we seek to raise today, a pay raise that is long overdue.

Madam Speaker, there are more than 3 million family members who count on someone serving on active duty in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Today we fight not just for those soldiers but for their families as well.

Our resolution points out that there is currently a 4 percent pay gap between members of the Armed Forces and those in civilian life. At a time when our Armed Forces are stretched so thin, we need to offer more comparable pay to the private sector to retain the most qualified service men and women. Our resolution also gives thanks for their valiant service to our Nation.

Madam Speaker, this is a commonsense measure. But, unfortunately, our President has called this pay increase ``unnecessary.'' And yet 2 weeks ago President Bush said, ``America should do what it takes to support our troops.'' The President criticizes the spending priorities of this Congress but stands in the way of a pay increase for our troops.

I say the President should do what it takes to support our troops. This pay raise is long overdue and it is necessary, and President Bush's opposition to it is simply unconscionable.

Madam Speaker, with a 3.5 percent pay increase, we aren't talking about a lot of money. But for a private in Iraq making less than $16,000 a year in basic pay, that small increase would make all the difference in the world. For enlisted men with bills to pay and young children to support, several hundred dollars a year more is a big deal.

Madam Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Jones) for his courageous support, Chairman Murtha, Chairman Obey, Chairman Snyder, as well as Chairwoman Davis and Chairman Skelton for their leadership on this issue.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Video: Rep. Murphy Takes to the House Floor to Call for a Military Pay Raise, Part 2. (11/06/07)

Mr. PATRICK J. MURPHY of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Thank you to my colleague, Mr. WALTER JONES. I appreciate that. I appreciate the gentleman's service for the citizens of our country and the citizens in North Carolina.

We owe it to those protecting our Nation and fighting for our rights to make sure that we support them and their families who are waiting at home.

This pay raise may mean less than $1,000 for some enlisted men and women, but for those with bills to pay and young children to feed, several hundred dollars is a big deal.

Madam Speaker, I strongly support this pay raise, and I urge my colleagues to do the same. By passing this bill, we tell our troops that we support them, and send a message to the President that this pay raise is not only necessary, it's our responsibility.