Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I apologize for missing this vote. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 363.

Stated against:

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the service of Colonel Mark Bennett who is coming to the end of his assignment as the Chief of the Congressional Budget Liaison for the Secretary of the Army.

Mark is a native of Ohio. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Accounting from John Carroll University, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from Syracuse University, and a Master of Science degree in National Security and Resource Strategy from the National Defense University.

Over the last year, Mark has made meaningful, significant and enduring contributions while liaising with the House and Senate Appropriations Committees to provide critical resources for Army Warfighters. Mark and his liaison team worked closely with Members and Staff from every appropriation office in Congress; ensuring accountability to Congress and our Nation's taxpayers.

Through 26 years of active duty, Mark has served in a variety of tactical, operational, and strategic assignments. In 1990, Colonel Bennett was recognized as a Distinguished Military Graduate and commissioned into the Army as a Field Artillery Officer. He began his operational assignments with the 6th Battalion, 37th Field Artillery in Korea and also served as the Task Force Finance Officer for 4th Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, for a Multi-national Force and Observers rotation to Sinai, Egypt. He had two company command experiences with the 82nd Finance Battalion at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and the 177th Finance Battalion in Korea. Following completion of graduate school at Syracuse University, he served as the Executive Officer to the Deputy Chief of Staff for Resource Management, United States Army Training and Doctrine Command at Fort Monroe, Virginia. Shortly after arriving to the Pentagon, he supported the Army and Nation's response to the 9-11 attacks before attending Command and General Staff College.

Colonel Bennett returned to the 82nd Airborne Division as the Division Finance Support Operations Officer at Fort Bragg and deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He then served as the Executive Officer to the Director of Army Budget, as a Program Examiner at the Office of Management and Budget, and as a Congressional Budget Liaison for the Assistant Secretary of the Army, Financial Management and Comptroller. He commanded the Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, New York for 31 months including a deployment to Kandahar, Afghanistan. Mark returned to the Headquarters Department of the Army as the Executive Officer to the Military Deputy for Budget and Chief of the Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution System Integration for the Assistant Secretary of the Army, Financial Management and Comptroller. Colonel Bennett also served as the Assistant Chief of Staff, G8, for two years at Headquarters, I Corps, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington before deploying again to Afghanistan with the Combined Security Transition Command--Afghanistan (CSTC-A).

Mr. Speaker, as Colonel Mark Bennett moves on to a new Army assignment in Texas, he leaves behind a legacy of professionalism, service, and friendship. I extend my thanks for his service and wish him and his family great success in all future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the motion.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 6157 is a critically important bill. It may be one of the most important, most consequential bills that Congress will consider this year.

The bill before you reflects the guidance and advice we received through hearings, briefings, and meetings with the Secretary of Defense, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the leaders of the military services, and all other national security experts.

This legislation provides funding to maintain our military readiness, protect our Nation from those who would seek to do us harm, and ensure our defense superiority.

After years of decline, the rebuilding of our military began with the fiscal year 2018 omnibus. This bill continues that progress and makes more critical investments in our Department of Defense: more troops, more battle training, more equipment, more munitions.

The security situation around the world is rapidly changing. We are regularly reminded that we are still a Nation at war and new, unforeseen threats arise daily. A strong national defense is of the highest priority.

It is imperative that we provide ongoing stability and support for our military. This is what our military leaders have asked for, and we can provide that today, with this bill.

Not only is this legislation critical to our national security, but to the men and women in uniform, all volunteers who selflessly serve. We must show our troops and their families that they have the full support of this Congress. This includes providing them with their largest pay raise in nearly a decade.

The bill fulfills the Congress' most important constitutional responsibility: providing for the common defense. And it does this responsibly, by funding those military needs that must be addressed now, planning for those of the future, and respecting the taxpayer by making commonsense budgeting decisions.

This bill puts our Nation's security strategy on a stronger course, protecting the American people, and keeping the peace in an increasingly dangerous and unstable world.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to reject this motion to recommit, and vote ``yes'' on the fiscal year 2019 Defense Appropriations bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentlewoman from Wyoming (Ms. Cheney) for the purpose of engaging in a colloquy.

Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time, I thank the gentlewoman from Wyoming for her support of our missile defense programs. I agree with her support for these capabilities. I fully commit to working with her during the conference process to ensure both the missile defense tracking system and the laser scaling technologies for boost-phase ICBM missile defense are funded in the conference report.

Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Amendment No. 1 Offered by Ms. Jackson Lee

Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition, but I am not opposed to the amendment.

Mr. Chairman, while I will not oppose the amendment, I will urge caution about proposals that limit the department's flexibility to adapt to changes in its need in the ROTC program.

I am prepared to accept the amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Kelly) for the purpose of engaging in a colloquy.

Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time, I appreciate the gentleman's commitment to this matter. We respect the dedication and accomplishments of all National Background Investigations Bureau workers, including the hard work of the staff in Butler County, Pennsylvania. There is currently a backlog of more than 700,000 pending security clearance cases.

Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson told my subcommittee that the Air Force has 79,000 people still waiting for security clearances, and that number has almost doubled in the last 18 months. We want to work with your office to make sure we address that as much as possible, and I look forward to your continuing partnership in this matter.

Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentleman.

Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Amendment No. 2 Offered by Ms. Frankel of Florida

Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition, but I don't oppose the amendment.

Mr. Chairman, women have a larger presence in our military today than ever before, with more than 200,000 women serving in Active-Duty military. Women serve as leaders in all jobs and in all branches of the military. Women have served in every conflict from the American Revolution to the current war on terror.

From their early days as cooks and nurses to the combat roles they fulfill today, the roles of women have evolved with the military. So I am pleased to support this amendment, which will continue to further the growth of our 21st century women warfighters.

Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. Chair, I yield to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Bishop) for the purpose of engaging in a colloquy.

Mr. Chair, I appreciate the gentleman's interest in this critical weapons system, and I want to assure him that the committee supports the continued production of Tomahawk missiles.

Mr. Chair, the gentleman is correct. The committee increased funding for Tomahawk production 2 years in a row. Using this funding for other purposes is contrary to congressional direction, and this is the second year in a row that the Navy has blatantly disregarded our instructions. The action by the Navy led the committee to recommend a rescission of prior year funding for Tomahawks.

Despite this rescission, the committee remains supportive of additional Tomahawk production and is

awaiting a revised plan from the Navy on how they will spend the previously appropriated funding for missile production.

I assure the gentleman from Utah that the committee will revisit this issue in conference, when the Navy indicates affirmatively they will use additional funding solely for missile production.

Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Heck) for the purpose of engaging in a colloquy.

Mr. Chair, I want to thank the gentleman for raising the issue of off-base infrastructure. I know the gentleman has been working on this issue since his first days in Congress, and I commend his dedication.

I appreciate that the authorizing committee has given us a tool to begin to address this problem. Unfortunately, we don't yet know the full scope of the challenge. Before we can appropriate funds to a program like the Defense Community Infrastructure Program, we need more information to define the priorities and ensure that the most urgent needs are met.

Mr. Chair, yes, I can commit to working on this issue if the gentleman can give me the details on the scope of what we need to solve.

Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Amendment No. 4 Offered by Ms. Rosen

Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition, but I don't oppose the amendment.

Mr. Chair, the Department of Defense is responsible for defending the homeland and U.S. interests from attack, including attacks that may occur in cyberspace. This is an important mission and one that this bill prioritizes by providing $8 billion across the entire cybersecurity landscape.

Our Nation's cybersecurity posture starts with our cybersecurity professionals. The gentlewoman's amendment provides an additional $5 million to ensure that we continue to have the most qualified and highly trained cybersecurity professionals in the world.

Mr. Chair, I am pleased to accept the amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I claim the time in opposition, but I don't oppose the amendment.

Mr. Chair, as discussed yesterday on the Allen-Raskin amendment, I support the work of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Office. They perform tireless work to track, locate, and recover our fallen heroes, and I thank them for their continued efforts.

That is why the base bill already includes $10 million above the budget request. I supported the Allen-Raskin amendment yesterday, which provides an additional $10 million above the request. This amendment provides $10 million, which will support continued efforts to return our fallen heroes home where they belong.

Mr. Chair, I support the amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I claim the time in opposition, but I am not opposed to the amendment.

Mr. Chair, the military and society at large must do more to change the stigma of sexual assault so victims are not afraid of retaliation when coming forward and reporting the crime.

This bill provides $318 million for sexual assault prevention and response programs at the service level and at the Department of Defense Sexual Assault Prevention and Response program. This is $35 million above the President's request.

I understand this amendment funds a report required by the 2019 House-passed National Defense Authorization Act, to which we do not object.

Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time

Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. Chair, this amendment seeks to reverse a justified reduction made by the committee to the request for the AMRAAM missile program.

Both the Navy and the Air Force, historically, overestimate the cost of the missile in their budget request. In the last 5 years, this overestimation has been 12 percent, on average. The fiscal year 2019 request assumes a unit cost that is 16 percent more than the most recent contract.

For several years in a row, Congress has adjusted the budget request for this program to account for these overestimates and other facts of life, such as production delays. In fact, the delivery schedule for this program has been revised 25 times since 2011, and the production of new guidance system components is 21 months behind schedule.

The Department, itself, has frequently sought to take savings from the AMRAAM program for other priorities. For example, the Air Force has, 5 years straight on, sought approval to reprogram a total of $57 million of this program to other needs. This is in addition to the reductions that have been taken by Congress. It, therefore, defies the facts to claim that this program is being underfunded.

Because of the long time it takes the Department of Defense to put together its budget request, these requests do not always reflect the most current information. The committee takes commonsense reductions when they will do no harm to national security.

I must add that this is precisely the sort of commonsense reduction to the President's budget that enables us to accommodate the priorities of Members of this body. This year we received approximately 6,600 such requests.

The committee will continue to engage with the Navy and Air Force on this program and make adjustments as needed. This amendment, however, would restrict our ability to ensure that the priorities of this body are reflected in the final bill.

Mr. Chair, I, therefore, oppose the amendment and urge its rejection, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, in closing, as I have stated, these sorts of commonsense adjustments to the President's budget request must be made to ensure efficient use of taxpayer dollars and accommodate higher priorities, including Member priorities.

Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition, but I don't oppose the amendment.

Mr. Chairman, this amendment provides a modest increase in the training budget for the Special Operations Command. Like my colleague, I want to make sure that our soldiers are able to deal with any contingency that may confront them.

Our Special Forces deploy to some of the most austere and unique environments in the world. We should do all that we can to ensure their success.

Mr. Chairman, I ask my colleagues to support this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition, but I am not opposed to the amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for his concern. This amendment would increase funding in the defense health program account, aiming to improve coordination between the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs, as both agencies study the effects of toxic exposure to burn pits.

It is important to both Departments to be aware of what the other has done

in this important area of research, therefore, I am prepared to accept the amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I claim the time in opposition to the amendment, even though I am not opposed to it.

Mr. Chair, I thank the gentleman for his amendment. I have no objections and am prepared to accept it.

Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I claim the time in opposition to the amendment, even though I am not opposed to it.

Mr. Chair, I appreciate the gentlewoman's concerns. The Department is currently funding several research projects related to the potential health effects of open-air burn pits and burn pit exposure, such as pulmonary fibrosis, lung and respiratory issues, and metals toxicology.

I believe this research is important. I don't have any objection to this amendment.

Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I claim time in opposition, but I am not opposed to the amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the gentleman's concern to provide adequate funding for the Fisher House Foundation. The Fisher House Foundation is a nonprofit organization that provides temporary lodging for military family members when confronted with the illness or hospitalization of their servicemember.

The bill already includes $5 million for the department to grant to the Fisher House Foundation and allows each service to transfer up to $11 million for Fisher House operations.

I am pleased to accept the amendment to provide additional funding for the Fisher House, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I claim the time in opposition, but I am not opposed to the amendment.

Mr. Chairman, this bill includes $130 million for the peer-reviewed breast cancer research program. I believe this research is very worthwhile. I do not have any objection to the gentlewoman's amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I am a strong supporter of innovation and bringing fresh ideas to the department. I support efforts that will deliver promising new technologies and provide our troops with a technological edge to prevail. However, I don't support efforts aimed at building empires under the guise of innovation.

The amendment seeks to reverse a justified reduction made by the committee to the Defense Innovation Unit-Experimental, DIUx. For fiscal year 2019, DIUx proposed to double its budget compared to last year without sufficient justification. This proposed increase was aimed at doubling the size of the program office, along with significant increases for office space and a generous travel budget.

I need to better understand how DIUx will fit into the department's new research and engineering organization and how it will maximize innovation for the warfighter before increasing funds for DIUx.

I urge my colleagues to vote against this amendment.

I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Visclosky), my ranking member.

Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, in closing, I support efforts to bring innovation and new capabilities to the warfighter. However, the DIUx unit appears more focused on building its own program office rather than delivering capability.

I do not believe additional funding for DIUx is justified at this time. I urge my colleagues to vote against this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition, but I am not opposed to the amendment.

Mr. Chair, improvised explosive devices continue to be used by terrorists against our forces, which is why the bill includes $150 million for technologies to combat terrorism, including investments to counter improvised explosives. The additional funds will be helpful to develop technologies to help protect our troops.

Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the gentleman's dedication to this issue, and I also thank him for his previous service in the Army as an explosive ordnance disposal technician.

Mr. Chairman, I am prepared to accept the amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I claim time in opposition, but I am not opposed to the amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I agree that cybersecurity is a very important national security issue. The scholarship program will help in attracting and retaining a cyber workforce. I appreciate the gentleman's dedication the issue.

Mr. Chairman, I am prepared to accept the amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I move that the Committee do now rise.

Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to the amendment, but I am not opposed to the amendment.

Mr. Chair, sexual assault remains a serious problem in the military and one that we must continue to be addressing. The Department has implemented a number of measures to prevent and reduce sexual assault incidents, prosecute perpetrators, and better respond to victims. Despite this, there is still more to be done.

This bill provides $318 million, which is $35 million above the President's request for Sexual Assault Prevention and Response programs at the service level and at the Department of Defense Sexual Assault Prevention and Response program office.

I agree that this is a critical issue that requires attention at the highest level. All of the military services must continue to address incidents of sexual assault and make clear that the military has zero tolerance for such behavior.

Mr. Chair, I am pleased to accept the amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I claim time in opposition, but I don't oppose the amendment.

Mr. Chairman, the gentleman's amendment reaffirms existing DOD policy and supports the House NDAA, which also includes this provision.

Mr. Chairman, I support the amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition, but I do not oppose the amendment.

Mr. Chair, this amendment increases funding for the National Guard's Counterdrug Program. We are very supportive of the counterdrug program. The bill in front of us increases funding at the same level that passed the House last year.

That being said, I understand this program is very important to many Members, and I support this amendment to provide a modest increase.

Mr. Chair, I ask my colleagues to support this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I rise in strong opposition to the amendment.

Mr. Chair, this amendment increases funding for the Virginia-class submarine program by $1 billion, at the expense of other critical Navy and Air Force programs.

The Department of Defense, Secretary of the Navy, Secretary of the Air Force, and the National Coast Guard Association of the United States all oppose this amendment.

In fact, the Deputy Secretary of Defense sent a letter detailing the harmful effects this amendment has on multiple critical National Defense Strategy programs. His quote: ``disrupt multiple critical National Defense Strategy programs.''

These are must-have programs, like the DDG 51 guided-missile destroyer, the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, the Global Hawk, and the TAO fleet oiler, just to name a few.

I have also received a letter from the National Guard Association opposing this amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I include in the Record the letters I received from the Deputy Secretary of Defense and the National Guard Association.

Deputy Secretary of Defense,

Washington, DC, June 26, 2018.

Hon. Kay Granger,

Chairwoman, Subcommittee on Defense, Committee on

Appropriations, House of Representatives, Washington. DC.

Dear Madam Chairwoman: The Department of Defense (DoD)

objects to the proposed amendment by Representatives Courtney

and Wittman that cuts over $1 billion from the Fiscal Year

(FY) 2019 President's Budget. The FY 2019 cuts disrupt

multiple critical National Defense Strategy (NDS) programs,

including the carrier program and Air Force research and

procurement. Combined with the out-year cost of finishing the

incrementally funded submarines. the Department would be

required to cut over $6 billion from multiple programs such

as reducing, the buys of Arleigh Burke-class destroyers,

oilers and fast frigates.

The FY 2019 President's Budget request supports a robust.

balanced shipbuilding program. providing $23.7 billion for

ten combat ships and eight support ships. including, two

Virginia-class submarines. DoD is committed to growing the

size of the Navy, investing over $20 billion per year across

the Future Years Defense Program. Consistent with the NDS.

Dolls request balances ship procurement with readiness and

other systems to be a more lethal joint force and meet future

capabilities.

The Virginia-class submarine provides crucial capabilities

to the joint warfight. The current Navy fleet faces known

shortfalls in attack submarine inventory in future years.

However, in the FY 2019 President's Budget we balanced the

investment in this capability against other critical

capabilities in areas such as space and cyber, and in

emerging areas such as autonomy and artificial intelligence.

The Department appreciates Congressional support for

growing the Navy's fleet and ensuring robust future

capabilities. Working together we will find solutions that

make us stronger and safer.

Patrick M. Shanahan.

Mr. Chair, not only does this amendment cut $1 billion from vital programs in FY19; it will leave future Congresses with at least a $6 billion shortfall. That is not the appropriate way to spend our taxpayers' dollars.

The Navy is not committed to funding these two additional submarines in the future. In fact, the Statement of Administrative Policy on the House-passed NDAA specifically objects to adding two additional submarines above what is currently in the President's budget.

This amendment takes $346 million that has been set aside for the reactor core for the last Nimitz-class carrier refueling overhaul. Delaying this procurement for yet another year hurts

this program and creates serious production gaps. This will directly impact the ability of the manufacturer to provide Columbia-class core reactors in a timely manner, and it introduces risk to the schedule for the Columbia-class submarine program. That is unacceptable.

The amendment takes $315 million from other shipbuilding programs, funds that will have to be repaid in future years. It takes more than $245 million from the DDG 51 guided-missile destroyer program, a critical missile-defense-capable ship that is deployed throughout the world.

This amendment is asking Congress to fund $1 billion now but create a bill for the future, a bill that will not be paid due to the imminent threat of the return of sequestration.

Some Members have asked if we can just fix this amendment in conference. Let me be very clear on that point. The answer is no. We will not be able to fix the damage this amendment causes in conference. Should this amendment pass, all cuts will be included in the conference report.

I received a letter today from Representative Courtney and Representative Wittman asking me to reconsider my position on their amendment. Their letter says that this amendment doesn't lock the Congress or Department into any course of action. That is not true.

Who will pay for these subs, and where will they find the money? Cutting $1 billion out of critically important programs so the Navy can have options in future negotiations of additional submarines is also irresponsible, especially when the Navy has neither requested nor budgeted them.

Since when is it acceptable to give $1 billion to someone so they can have options?

Their letter also claims they have not heard of any concerns about the proposed first-year offsets. This is not true. In May of this year, the Navy warned that any reductions to the DDG 51 destroyer program will affect the ability of the Navy to achieve any--any--multiyear procurement savings.

Mr. Chair, I will continue to oppose this amendment, and I urge my colleagues to do the same. I strongly urge my colleagues to reject this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, in closing, I urge the rejection of this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I move that the Committee do now rise.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 6157, and that I may include tabular material on the same.

Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Chair, I am pleased to bring the Defense Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2019 to the House floor for consideration.

Congress' number one responsibility is to provide for the defense of this Nation. It is this bill that fulfills that most fundamental constitutional duty.

Last year, General Dunford, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said: ``The U.S. military's competitive advantage against potential adversaries is eroding. Over the last decade, sustained operational commitments, budgetary instability, and advances by our adversaries have threatened our ability to project power and we have lost our advantage in key warfighting areas.''

My approach to funding this bill is based on that statement. The priorities funded in this bill not only stop the erosion, but also enable our military to restore and increase the competitive advantage. This is all possible because of the bipartisan budget agreement which has allowed us to provide the necessary resources.

The fiscal year 2018 Defense Appropriation Act took the first step in rebuilding our military by addressing the toll taken on readiness, and began to make investments to improve our competitive advantage.

Building on the gains we made in 2018 and guided by the new National Defense Strategy, the bill before you is the next critical step to enable Secretary Mattis to build a more lethal, resilient, and rapidly innovating joint force that can defeat the adversaries we face today and those we will face in the future.

The bill also supports the Secretary's efforts to work by, with, and through our allies and partners to help share the burden while protecting America's interests around the world.

This bill reflects the advice the subcommittee received in hearings, briefings, and meetings with Secretary Mattis, Chairman Dunford, the leadership of the military services, the Intelligence Committee, and other national security experts.

The bill provides a total of $675 billion to the Department for fiscal year 2019. This is $19 billion above the fiscal year 2018 level and is consistent with total funding level in the House-passed authorization bill.

The bill provides full funding to address military personnel needs, including: full funding for an additional 16,400 active, guard and reserve soldiers, sailors and airmen. And full funding for the 2.6 percent pay raise for our troops.

The bill provides critical funding to repair and improve our military readiness, including $1 billion over the request for training and equipping our troops, including the National Guard and Reserve, and for training, equipment, maintenance and spare parts, and base operations.

It includes $21 billion for depot maintenance to get our planes and ships back in working order.

For procurement, the bill provides adequate funding to modernize the force. Major investments include: increased funds for Strykers, Abrams tanks, Humvees, and other ground mobility vehicles.

And to maintain air superiority, we provide increases for key platforms such as the Joint Strike Fighter, Apaches, Lakotas, Ospreys, Black Hawks, and C-130s.

We maintain our commitment to the National Guard and Reserve components, providing $1.3 billion over the request, specifically for their equipment needs.

For shipbuilding, we fund 12 Navy ships, 2 more than requested.

To ensure our technological edge against our adversaries, $95 billion is included for research and development.

We keep our commitment to take care of our servicemembers and their families by providing over $34 billion for defense health programs, including $752 million over the request for medical research.

To address growing concerns on and around our military bases, we include over $1.2 billion to address environmental remediation and restoration.

For ongoing global war on terrorism operations, the bill provides funding for additional intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance for the warfighter, and $250 million for Ukraine.

Given the serious challenges and significant resources at stake, the committee continues to exercise strong oversight over the Department to ensure that our constituents' tax dollars are being spent wisely.

Mr. Chair, I want to thank my ranking member and partner, Mr. Visclosky. His input has been invaluable. The bill before us is better because of his involvement.

I also want to thank our full committee ranking member, Mrs. Lowey, for her support for this important work done in this bill. Most importantly, I want to thank my full committee chairman and the previous subcommittee chairman, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Frelinghuysen), for his leadership and his support.

Sadly, this is the last Defense Appropriation bill that the chairman will manage in Congress.

Throughout his service, he has shown an unwavering commitment to the needs of our military and intelligence communities. I will miss his wise counsel and steadfast commitment to the members of our military services.

I want to thank all Members for their participation and input as we put together this bill. The subcommittee received over 6,600 requests from Members. The bill incorporates their ideas and recommendations, and I thank them for their continued support.

I would like to personally thank our hardworking staff for helping make this bill possible. On our majority staff: Jennifer Miller, Walter Hearne, Brooke Boyer, B. G. Wright, Allison Deters, Collin Lee, Matt Bower, Jackie Ripke, Hayden Milberg, Bill Adkins, Sherry Young, and Barry Walker.

On our minority staff: Becky Leggieri, Jennifer Chartrand, and Chris Bigelow. On my personal staff: Johnnie Kaberle, Jon Fay, and Spencer Freebairn.

In closing, Mr. Chairman, the Defense Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2019 is a great bill that takes the next critical step in rebuilding our military.

Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH260618.001

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH260618.002

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH260618.003

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH260618.004

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH260618.005

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH260618.006

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH260618.007

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH260618.008

Mr. Chairman, I yield 6 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Frelinghuysen), who is the chairman of the Appropriations Committee.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Womack), a member of the Defense Subcommittee.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Rutherford), a member of Appropriations Committee.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bacon).

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Cole), a distinguished member of the Defense Subcommittee.

Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition, but I am not opposed to the amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the gentlewoman's concerns. It is important to discuss these important issues. I will continue to work with the gentlewoman and the department to ensure that these issues are addressed.

Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. McKinley) for the purpose of engaging in a colloquy.

Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time, I appreciate the gentleman's concern to provide adequate funding for arthritis research. I am a strong supporter of funding in this area.

Each year, Congress provides funding for medical research through the Defense Health Program. Arthritis research previously has received millions of dollars in research grants.

I do appreciate his interest and engagement on behalf of our warfighters. I agree to work with the gentleman from West Virginia on this important topic.

Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentleman from West Virginia.

Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Amendment No. 2 Offered by Mr. Lowenthal

Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition, but I don't oppose the amendment.

Mr. Chairman, the STARBASE program supports programs to improve the interests and skills of students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Military volunteers engage students through experimental learning, and the program has a proven record of success. As a result, the committee provided an additional $30 million in the bill for the STARBASE program.

Mr. Chairman, I am prepared to accept the amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition, but I don't oppose the amendment.

Mr. Chairman, the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program is a youth development program that works to improve the life skills and employment potential of our youth through military base training and supervised work experience. Like my colleague, I support this important program.

This is why the bill includes $175 million to support the program. An additional $6 million will allow the program to have a similar budget to the FY18 level.

Mr. Chairman, I support the gentlewoman's amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I claim the time in opposition to the amendment, even though I am not opposed to it.

Mr. Chair, I share the gentleman's support of the veterans who bravely served our country and were exposed to radiation during nuclear weapons tests. Military commanders have numerous personal military declarations, such as meritorious service medals, commendation medals, and achievement medals available to appropriately recognize members for their specific actions or sustained meritorious service. However, recognizing these individuals for their sacrifice is a very good idea; therefore, I support the gentleman's amendment.

I yield to the gentleman from Indiana.

Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I move that the Committee do now rise.

Mr. Chair, I claim the time in opposition to the amendment, even though I am not opposed to it.

Mr. Chair, the defense POW/MIA Accounting Office performs tireless work to track, locate, and recover our fallen heroes, and I thank them for their continued efforts.

Like my colleague, I support this important program. That is why the bill includes $10 million above the budget request to accelerate efforts to return our fallen heroes home where they belong.

An additional $10 million will allow the program to continue to be successful; therefore, I support the gentleman's amendment.

Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I rise to claim the time in opposition, but I do not oppose the amendment.

Mr. Chairman, this amendment would add to the $120 million for A-10 wings that has already been provided, as well as the $79 million included in the Air Force budget request. The Air Force has indicated to us that the additional funding in this amendment can be executed upon contract award, which is expected by the middle of 2019.

Mr. Chairman, I am prepared to accept the amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I claim the time in opposition, but I do not oppose the amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for his attempt to highlight the importance of this critical research requirement.

The Army is responsible for studying how a quantum network may provide enhanced capabilities for command and control and intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance applications. This funding will help those efforts.

I appreciate the gentleman's concerns, and I accept the amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I claim time in opposition, but I am not opposed to the amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I understand the department supports this program and will request funds for it in the future budget request.

Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time

Mr. Chairman, I claim time in opposition, but I am not opposed to the amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the gentleman's desire to provide additional funding to research illnesses that affect veterans of the Gulf war.

The committee is committed to ensuring that our servicemembers, their families, and veterans receive the highest level of medical care possible.

The committee already provides $21 million toward Gulf war illness research in the bill. Research includes a close look at how service in the Gulf war is linked to illnesses such as chronic fatigue, severe muscle pain, persistent headaches, and others.

Mr. Chairman, I would be pleased to accept the gentleman's amendment to provide additional funding in this area, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I claim time in opposition to the amendment, but I am not opposed to the amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for his concern for our servicemen and -women. The bill already includes $130 million for the Peer Reviewed Breast Cancer Research Program.

Funding for this important program is designed to end breast cancer by funding innovative, high-impact research through a partnership of scientists and consumers.

Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the gentleman's concern. I accept his amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I share the gentleman's concern and oppose the amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition, but I don't oppose the amendment.

Mr. Chair, the amendment reaffirms the requirement that the Department of Defense have proper consultation in coordination with Native American Tribes. This amendment is good government, which is supported by current law and several requirements in the National Defense Authorization Act.

I support the amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition, but I am not opposed to the amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I am prepared to accept the amendment.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I move that the Committee do now rise.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank Rear Admiral Butch Dollaga for his outstanding service to our country and congratulate him on his recent promotion in the United States Navy.

As the Director of the Navy Budget Congressional Liaison Office for the past two years, Rear Admiral Dollaga has made significant and lasting contributions while working closely with me, the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, and across Capitol Hill to provide critical resources for our Navy's warfighters. He and his outstanding staff have worked tirelessly to ensure operational effectiveness at home and overseas.

Rear Admiral Dollaga's promotion was earned from a career of accomplishments and experience. He began his military career after graduating from the United States Naval Academy in 1990. Since then, he has served in an impressive variety of operational and staff assignments, completing numerous deployments overseas on both fast- attack and fleet ballistic missile submarines. His first command tour was the USS Charlotte, SSN 766, homeported in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. While Captain of a Los Angeles-class submarine, he led 110 sailors in the completion of a Western Pacific Deployment. Prior to his current assignment, Rear Admiral Dollaga completed a second command tour as Commodore of Submarine Development Squadron Twelve in Groton, Connecticut where he was in charge of nine fast-attack submarines along with leading the tactical development of the U.S. Submarine Force. In recognizing these outstanding achievements, we must acknowledge the contributions of Rear Admiral Dollaga's family. Long and frequent separations are a way of life for sailors, and it takes a very special kind of family to endure the many hardships deployments and operational commitments present. For that, we owe his wife, Lani, and their family our deepest gratitude.

As Rear Admiral Dollaga moves on to his new assignment as the Commander of the Undersea Warfighting Development Center, he leaves behind a legacy of distinguished service and professionalism. I want to extend my thanks for his exceptional service and wish him and his family fair winds and following seas.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3, the Spending Cuts to Expired and Unnecessary Programs Act.

We must always be careful stewards of the taxpayers' hard-earned money. That is why I was proud to sign on as an original cosponsor of President Trump's rescission package.

As a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, I understand more than most that President Trump's proposal rescinding nearly $15 billion is necessary.

It is common sense that money sitting in Federal coffers and not being spent should be returned to the Treasury. This bill is a welcome step to cut wasteful spending and will restore fiscal sanity to Washington.

Importantly, the rescissions package on the floor today no longer rescinds Ebola funding. Sadly, that horrible disease has recently returned to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It also no longer rescinds funding for Hurricane Sandy victims.

I hope the Senate will pass this bill as soon as possible so that the President can sign these historic spending cuts into law. I urge all Members to support this commonsense proposal.

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 208.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to welcome Dr. Ted Kitchens as our guest chaplain this morning and greatly appreciate him leading us in prayer.

Dr. Kitchens is from the 12th District of Texas, which I proudly represent.

He's served as the Senior Pastor of Christ Chapel Bible Church in Fort Worth for the past 36 years.

Under his leadership, Dr. Kitchens grew his congregation from 116 people to more than 6,000 members per week.

Christ Chapel Bible Church has also grown to become a vital partner with the entire Fort Worth community.

Dr. Kitchens has been married to his wife Lynn for 41 years, and they have two wonderful children, Kassie and Tyler.

I want to thank Pastor Kitchens for all he does to serve our community and for providing us with spiritual guidance on this day.

Mr. Speaker, due to a personal conflict, I unfortunately missed votes today.

Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 178 ``yea'' on rollcall No. 179 and ``yea'' on rollcall No. 180.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank Lieutenant Colonel Charles Del ``Shawn'' Jennings for twenty-two years of service with the Marine Corps.

Lieutenant Colonel Jennings was born in Fort Worth, Texas and began his education in the Fort Worth Independent School District, attending David K. Sellars Elementary School. He later attended North Carolina Central University, and was a teacher and coach for five years before being commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Corps in August of 1997.

In July of 2005, LtCol Jennings deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and served with distinction during his deployment to the Middle East. In 2011, LtCol Jennings deployed with the Division in support of Operation Tomadachi to provide humanitarian, disaster and relief assistance to the people of Japan in the aftermath of the massive earthquake and tsunami on Mainland Japan. Two years later, he returned to Quantico for duty as the Assistant Chief of Staff G-1, Marine Corps Recruiting Command.

LtCol Jennings has been highly decorated throughout his military career. His awards include: the Meritorious Service Medal with 2 gold stars for third award, The Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with 2 gold stars for third award, the Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal, The Iraq Campaign

Medal, The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, The Humanitarian Service Medal, and a Recruiting Ribbon. He also holds two Additional Military Occupational Specialties; 4802 Recruiting Officer-Operational Expert and 4804 Recruiting Officer-Multiple Tour Expert.

LtCol Jennings is happily married to the former Michelle Ingram of Wilmington, North Carolina. They have a daughter, Jasmine, who is a second year law student at UNC Chapel Hill and a son, Jordan, who is High School Junior at Massaponax High School, in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Please join me in thanking Lieutenant Colonel Charles Del ``Shawn'' Jennings for his many years of service to our nation. I wish him all the best in his new endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, Congress' number one responsibility is to provide for the defense of this Nation, and this agreement enables us to fulfill that most fundamental constitutional duty.

This bill reflects the needs of our defense and intelligence experts so that they have the resources needed to combat the threats of today and in the future. In order to do this, this bill focuses on readiness, modernization, and innovation. With these funds, our military can begin to rebuild after 16 years of war. The needs are great.

We also include a 2.4 percent pay raise authorized for our troops with our appreciation for what they do.

For procurement, the bill increases investment in ground vehicles, aircraft, ships, munitions, and other equipment. Secretary Mattis has said he never wants our enemies to face a fair fight, and this bill ensures our enemies will face a strong and ready U.S. military.

It makes investments in vital aircraft, including Joint Strike Fighters, Super Hornets, Apaches, Chinooks, Lakotas, V-22 Ospreys, Black Hawks, and C-130s. For the Navy, it funds 14 Navy ships, including one carrier replacement, three littoral combat ships, two guided missiles destroyers, two attack submarines, and funding to continue the Ohio Replacement Submarine program.

The National Guard is critical to our national security. This agreement provides six C-130 aircraft, 20 Black Hawk helicopters, and funding for the Army National Guard for support on the southwest border, additional funding for Army National Guard cyber protection teams, and $1.3 billion for the National Guard and Reserve equipment account.

Our military must be ready for future threats. The Department of Defense must look 5, 10, and 20 years ahead to make sure we have the weapons systems we need. That is why this agreement also prioritizes research and development, including next generation space systems and future ballistic missile defense programs.

Last, after talking with Secretary Mattis, we included new flexibility for DOD to ensure that their funds were able to be spent in the smartest way possible while still maintaining stringent congressional oversight.