Mr. Chairman, I thank Chairman Smith for yielding. I rise today to speak about two amendments in this en bloc package that are critical to the Nation's security and good governance. The first is a bipartisan amendment that addresses the…
Mr. Chairman, I thank Chairman Smith for yielding.
I rise today to speak about two amendments in this en bloc package that are critical to the Nation's security and good governance.
The first is a bipartisan amendment that addresses the need for oversight and accountability in our national security infrastructure. This bipartisan amendment directs the IG to audit DOD departments and agencies to determine if excess profit and cost escalation on sole- source contracts has taken place. This is important not only for our bases and maintenance, but it impacts our Nation's readiness.
While we understand that contractors and suppliers need to make a profit, that doesn't mean that our taxpayer dollars should go to fund excess profits and escalations that are well outside of the norm.
This good governance is reasonable and helps us to ensure our Nation's security while being good stewards of the taxpayer dollars.
The second amendment in this en bloc package addresses our Nation's security in a different way: that of the air traffic controllers, who pay into their retirement throughout their career until they are forced to retire at the age of 56, many of whom are our Nation's veterans.
Right now, we are experiencing a severe shortage of air traffic controllers across this Nation, and retired air traffic controllers are some of the most qualified supervisors and trainers. However, under current law, all FERS retirees either must work under 1.5 days per week or full-time, otherwise, they lose their Federal retirement.
This amendment allows all retirees to simply retain their hard-earned retirement dollars that they have paid in, so we can train the next generation of air traffic controllers.
Mr. Chair, pursuant to House Resolution 476, I offer amendments en bloc as the designee for Mr. Smith of Washington.
Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Dean).
Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Stanton).
Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Wild).
Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Schneider).
Mr. Chairman, may I inquire how much time is remaining on each side?
Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. Schrier).
Mr. Chairman, I encourage my colleagues to support the en bloc package, as well as the NDAA upon final passage, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. Chairman, pursuant to House Resolution 476, as the designee of the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Smith), I offer amendments en bloc.
Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch).
Mr. Chair, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Horsford).
Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Smith).
Mr. Chair, I yield an additional 1 minute to the gentleman from Washington.
Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Kaptur).
Mr. Chair, I encourage my colleagues to support the en bloc package, as well as the NDAA upon final passage, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. Chair, pursuant to House Resolution 476, I offer amendments en bloc as the designee of the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Smith).
