The House completed general debate and began consideration of amendments on H.R. 4739, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 1991 for military functions of the Department of Defense; two amendments were agreed to. The Mavroules (D-MA) amendment to create a professional work force in the Defense Department was adopted. The Molinari (R-NY) amendment to prohibit the use of Defense Department funds for closing a Staten Island homeport was adopted. The House recessed to meet jointly with the Senate to hear an address by President Bush about the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait and the importance of the American presence in the Persian Gulf region.