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McKeon Statement in Support of the Conference Report for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010
Washington, DC---U.S. Rep. Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-CA), the top Republican on the House Armed Services Committee, today delivered the following statement on the House Floor in support of the conference report for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010:
“As legislators, we meet once again to address the wide range of important national security activities undertaken by the Departments of Defense and Energy. We all take our legislative responsibilities very seriously. This is especially true during a time of war, and it is always true of my good friend and colleague, Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton. I commend Chairman Skelton for shepherding this bill through the conference process. Ike – you’ve done a remarkable job.
“As most in this chamber are aware, this conference report contains hate crimes legislation. I’m opposed to including hate crimes legislation in a defense bill. It is not germane to the work of the committee and needlessly introduces a partisan matter in an otherwise bipartisan bill.
“I have consistently opposed the passage of hate crimes legislation and I continue to oppose it today. Unfortunately, congressional Democrats made the political decision to attach the hate crimes legislation to this bill. I oppose using the men and women of the military as the leverage to pass this partisan legislation.
“What should have been included in the bill is concurrent receipt. The House bill included a one-year expansion of concurrent receipt of military disability retired pay and veterans’ disability compensation for our medically retired veterans. The House provision should have prevailed over Senate procedural hurdles – we owe this to our veterans.
“Though flawed, this bill has my support.
“This conference report authorizes over $550 billion in budget authority for the Department of Defense (DoD) and the national security programs of the Department of Energy. Additionally, the legislation authorizes over $129 billion in supplemental funding to support operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere in the Global War on Terrorism.
“This bill rightfully acknowledges that the United States has a vital national security interest in ensuring that Afghanistan does not once again become a safe haven for terrorists and supports a comprehensive counterinsurgency strategy that is adequately resourced and funded by Congress.
“The conference report supports our strategy in Afghanistan in a number of ways. The bill authorizes $1.3 billion for the Commanders Emergency Response Program (CERP), which is unique authority critical to implementing General McChrystal’s counterinsurgency operations. Additionally, the conference report authorizes $7.4 billion for the Afghan National Security Forces Fund (ANSFF). These funds are the key to increasing the size and professionalism of the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF). Finally, this bill reauthorizes expired DOD contingency construction authority to rapidly authorize and build facilities needed to support the war in Afghanistan.
“With respect to Iraq, the report ensures that the Congress will support the President’s plan to redeploy combat forces while providing our commanders on the ground the flexibility to hold hard fought security gains and ensure the safety of our forces.
“As Members of Congress we owe our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines the very best available equipment, training, and support in order to provide them with the best possible tools to undertake their missions. The provisions in this bill go a considerable way in demonstrating this support. In particular, the House position prevailed in a couple of critical areas. This bill funds the alternate engine for the Joint Strike Fighter, provides $430 million in RDT&E for continued development of the F136 engine, and provides $130 million for F136 engine procurement. Finally, the conference report includes a multi-year procurement contract for additional F-18s.
“As a nation, we owe more than our gratitude to the brave men and women in uniform and their families, past and present, for the sacrifices they make to protect our freedom. I am pleased that this legislation includes a 3.4 percent pay rise, which is half a percentage point above the President’s request. We also increase active duty end strength by 55,227 over Fiscal Year 2009 levels – this is essential for easing the burden on our current forces. I’m pleased that this conference report prohibits any increases to TRICARE Prime and TRICARE Standard healthcare fees. Finally, this bill increases from $500 to $1,100 the maximum monthly amount of supplemental subsistence allowance paid by DOD to low-income members with dependents, so that military members need not rely on food stamps.
“In closing Mr. Speaker, and to my fellow Republicans, I understand your opposition to the inclusion of hate crimes in the defense authorization bill. I committed to each of you that this vote should be a vote of conscience, and I appreciate that some of you may feel that you need to oppose final passage.
“When I became the Ranking Member of the Armed Services Committee, I made a commitment to each of you—and our men and women in uniform and their families—that I would do everything in my power to provide our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines with the support they desperately need and deserve. As the Ranking Member of the Armed Services Committee, as long as America’s sons and daughters are under fire in combat fighting for our country, I have the obligation to support them.”