this time of war began in afghantan, a place that may seem as far away from this peaceful bend in the hudson river as anywhere on earth. the war began only because our own cities and civilians were attacked by violent extremists who plotted from a distant place. it continues only because that ploting persists to this day. for many years, our focus was on iraq. our troops faced a set of challenges there tt were as daunting as they were complex. a lesser army might have seen its spear broken, but our military is more resilient. our troops adapted persisted, parttered with iraqi counterparts, and through their creativity and courage, we are poised to end or combat mission in iraq this summer. [applause] even as we transition to iraqi leadership and bring troops home, our commitment to the iraqi ppople and yours. we will assist iraqi security forces, who are already available -- respsible for secured in most of the country. this will not be a simple task, but this is what success looks like. an iraq that provides no haven to terrorists, a democratic iraq with -- that is stable and self-re

nevadamaryland and vermont guardsmen may have received when they got back from tours in iraq and afghantan this spring. the national guard and the army have been fighting side by side for nearly nine years of war. it's time to make a full assessment of treatmt our national guard soldiers receive when they get home. they will rept back to congress by the end of the year on the treatment and medical care our national guard soldiers receive in comparisono regular army. t second amendment requires the seetary of defense to provide each member of the national guard with a clear and comprehensive statement on medicalare and treatment they are entitled to receive. when they're in theater, the army makes no distinction between the national guardarmy reserve d regular army soldiers the. should be no distinction in the care when theturn home. i ask e thousand continue this work by supporting my amendments. i yield back. the chair: the gentleman yields back the time has expired. question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from missouri. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opin