Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Major General Patrick M. Higgins, Deputy Director of the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization, or JIEDDO, who will retire from the United States Army on September 1, 2014, after 34 years of distinguished service. In his final tour of duty, Major General Higgins led efforts to disrupt threat networks that support, supply and employ IEDs globally. Through his contributions, JIEDDO has made significant strides in reducing the effectiveness of the IEDs and eliminating the enemy networks that seek to use these devices to harm our troops.

Major General Higgins has commanded within the special operations community at the detachment, battalion and group levels, culminating in assignment as the Commander, Joint Forces Special Operations Component Command in Iraq. He has served in numerous special operations staff assignments and director-level positions within the Joint Staff.

Major General Higgins has earned numerous awards and decorations including the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal with ``V'' device, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, among others.

I am proud to share in the celebration of Major General Higgins' long and distinguished military career. I would also like to congratulate his wife, Susan, and his three daughters, Sarah, Emily and Jessica, whose love and support has aided and strengthened Major General Higgins throughout his career. I wish him all the best in his retirement.

I want to thank the author of H.R. 6 for his leadership on this important issue.

Mr. Chairman, lifting self-imposed restrictions on natural gas exports is a win-win situation for the American people. It will create American jobs and strengthen our allies' independence, bolstering our economic and strategic partnerships.

As chairman of the U.S. delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, many foreign leaders have expressed to me the need for energy diversification and its importance to strengthen our strategic partnerships. We already cooperate with our allies on a variety of security issues. Energy security must also be a component of our strategic alliances.

America's emerging role as an energy producer has the potential to enhance our security relationships and influence the global marketplace.

As we have seen in Ukraine, Russia will not hesitate to use its energy resource dominance to expand its sphere of influence. Just last week, Russia's state-owned monopoly, Gazprom, cut off natural gas supplies to Ukraine.

In the Asia Pacific, Japan is a critical security partner as we counter threats posed by countries such as North Korea. Already the world's largest importer of natural gas, Japan is dependent on Russia, the Middle East, and Africa for nearly 50 percent of its natural gas imports and is seeking greater imports as a result of its 2011 nuclear power plant disaster.

Increasing U.S. natural gas exports, along with the development of other sources, such as the Southern Gas Corridor and the Eastern Mediterranean, will help diversify world natural gas supplies and create a more competitive, transparent, and diversified global natural gas marketplace. In fact, U.S. natural gas production has already influenced global markets.

Natural gas previously destined for the United States but no longer needed as a result of increased production was diverted to other markets. This increased supply has made the global natural gas market more competitive, helping to put more pressure on contracts indexed to the price of oil and allowing several European countries to renegotiate their long-term contracts with Gazprom.

In fact, President Obama, Secretary of State Kerry, and Secretary of Energy Moniz have welcomed LNG exports to strengthen our strategic alliances. Mr. Chairman, I will submit their statements for the Record.

President Obama, Current and Past Administration Officials Welcome U.S.

LNG Exports

President Barack Obama, in a joint statement with European

leaders at the EU-US Summit on March 26, 2014: The situation

in Ukraine proves the need to reinforce energy security in

Europe and we are considering new collaborative efforts to

achieve this goal. We welcome the prospect of U.S. LNG

exports in the future since additional global supplies will

benefit Europe and other strategic partners.

Secretary of State John Kerry, in a joint statement with

European energy leaders at a meeting of the EU-US Energy

Council on April 2, 2014: The Council further welcomed the

prospect of US LNG exports in the future since additional

global supplies will benefit Europe and other strategic

partners.

Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz, in a joint statement with

European energy leaders at the G7 Rome Energy Ministerial

meeting on May 6, 2014: No country should depend totally on

one supplier. We intend to promote a more integrated LNG

market, including through new supplies, the development of

transport infrastructures, storage capacities, and LNG

terminals.

Regardless of where U.S. natural gas is shipped, increasing supply in the global marketplace will provide international consumers with greater choice and thus increased leverage to negotiate prices.

U.S. natural gas exports will create jobs right here at home and will help foster a more competitive natural gas market.

Mr. Chairman, I urge passage of H.R. 6.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Azerbaijan on its Republic Day. On May 28, 1918, Azerbaijan declared its independence from the Russian Empire--making it the first democracy in the Muslim world. Unfortunately, only a few short years later in 1920 Azerbaijan was invaded by the Russian Red Army and was subsequently incorporated into the Soviet Union. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Azerbaijan regained its independence in 1991.

Azerbaijan continues to be an important partner with the United States in counter-terrorism efforts and initiatives to bolster energy security with strategic allies. With its vast resources of oil and gas, Azerbaijan is a key component to help our strategic allies in NATO and other European countries diversify their energy resources.

Many of our strategic allies in Europe are heavily dependent upon natural gas from one source or from unstable regions. And the ongoing events in Ukraine are a stark reminder that the United States must enhance our strategic partnerships with allies in Europe and Eurasia. That is why we must continue to support initiatives such as the Southern Gas Corridor which will route natural gas from Azerbaijan to Europe.

The Caspian Sea region holds significant energy resources and proven natural gas reserves. In particular, the Shah Deniz field in Azerbaijan is one of the world's largest gas fields, with over 30 trillion cubic feet of recoverable gas. The Southern Gas Corridor will help our European allies diversify their energy resources by providing an alternative and reliable source of natural gas. This will increase global energy supplies and create a more competitive natural gas market, helping to bolster energy security and help improve geopolitical stability in the region.

Successive U.S. administrations have supported the development of energy resources in the Caspian Sea region, including earlier oil and gas pipelines from Azerbaijan to neighboring nations, as well as developing stronger trade relationships and international partnerships with the countries of the South Caucasus and Central Asia.

In fact, on April 2, 2014 Secretary of State John Kerry, in a joint statement with European energy leaders at a meeting of the EU-US Energy Council, stated ``The Council reaffirmed the importance of the Southern Gas Corridor to bring gas to Europe, urged for timely construction of a dedicated, scalable pipeline which keeps the options open for additional supplies, and agreed to explore investments to strengthen gas supplies to Central and Southeast Europe.''

The Southern Gas Corridor is an important starting point to provide Europe with an alternative and reliable source of energy. Establishment of the pipeline lays the foundation for opportunities for greater amounts of natural gas development and further pipeline infrastructure to bring additional energy resources to Europe.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join me in congratulating Azerbaijan on the 96th anniversary of its Republic Day.

Mr. Speaker, on May 28, 2014, I was unable to vote on rollcall votes 241 and 242. Had I been present I would have voted ``yea'' on H. Res. 599 and ``yea'' on H.R. 503.

Mr. Speaker, in 2008, during the depths of the recession, a former General Motors plant closed in the city of Moraine, Ohio. The plant was set for demolition, which would have ended any hope of jobs returning to the site.

Moraine Mayor Elaine Allison, City Manager David Hicks, and Economic Director Michael Davis all worked very diligently to preserve this resource and make certain this plant was not a parking lot. Their tireless efforts paid off.

Last Thursday, the city of Moraine officially welcomed Fuyao, a thriving auto parts manufacturer, back to the

former GM facility, creating hundreds of new jobs throughout the region.

I want to congratulate the mayor, city council and city manager and economic director of Moraine for this great accomplishment and teamwork. They rallied the community behind this resource.

Congratulations to the leadership in Moraine. It was great working with you on this project.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4435, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015.

I want to begin by thanking Chairman McKeon and Ranking Member Smith for their leadership in this committee and this being truly a bipartisan effort.

This will be Chairman McKeon's last bill. He has not only been a leader for our committee and in Congress, but he has been a tremendous mentor for so many of us in Congress. His legacy will leave a lasting impact not only in legislation affecting the Department of Defense, our national security, and our men and women in uniform, but the Members of Congress who serve. And certainly, as we look to the future of the Armed Services Committee, his legacy will be in his mentoring of the other members of the committee.

I serve as chairman of the Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee as well as the cochair of the Military Sexual Assault Prevention Caucus. I first want to thank the subcommittee's ranking member, Loretta Sanchez from California, for her support in completing the markup of this bill.

The committee's focus has been to support the men and women of the Armed Forces and their families, providing them the equipment they need and the support that they so deserve. This bill helps to retain defense technology superiority, sustains the defense industrial base, and maintains effective modernization for our military.

The committee bill includes additional funding for Abrams Tanks, Bradley Fighting Vehicles, Stryker Combat Vehicles, Tactical Wheeled Vehicles, body armor, and unmanned aerial systems.

I believe the committee bill strikes the appropriate balance between equipping our military to effectively carry out its mission while also providing aggressive oversight to ensure appropriate use of taxpayers' dollars.

The bill again this year takes a significant step in combating the issue of sexual assault in the military by incorporating the FAIR Military Act of 2014, a bipartisan bill first introduced by myself and Representative Niki Tsongas.

I would like to thank Representative Tsongas, Military Personnel Subcommittee Chairman Joe Wilson, and Representative Davis, ranking member on the Personnel Subcommittee, for their leadership on this issue. I want to thank Chairman McKeon and Ranking Member Smith for their leadership that has allowed a bipartisan solution on sexual assault.

Under this bill, Congress limits the use of the ``good soldier defense,'' which allows a defendant to cite unrelated, subjective factors during trial, such as military record. It requires commanders be assessed on their ability to create a climate where a victim can report a crime without fear of retaliation. It ensures that the changes and provisions regarding military sexual assault prevention from the FY14 defense authorization apply to the military service academies.

Finally, this bill provides the child custody protections that our military men and women deserve.

I, again, want to thank Chairman McKeon for his help on protecting the custody rights of our men and women in uniform. No longer will our men and women face deployment while having to worry whether or not they have the custody of their children upon return.

I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this bill and to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 4435.

I want to join Chairman Rogers in his effort to oppose this amendment.

Mr. Chair, as we know, this is one of the annual reoccurring Representative Blumenauer's reductions of nuclear weapons efforts. And I would support reducing spending on nuclear weapons if we were talking about Mr. Putin's reducing his funding on nuclear weapons or Russia reducing their funding on nuclear weapons, which we know they are not going to do.

So this is a continued unfortunate exercise of discussing unilateral reductions in the United States' funding its

nuclear weapon deterrent, which is a dangerous thing to do, especially as Mr. Putin is continuing his efforts to escalate conflict throughout the world and also is looking to increase his overall nuclear weapons capability.

Now, the other thing is, this isn't even needed. The bill already provides the budget request level of $117.5 million to purchase 17 of these radars that would be purchased under this amendment, 15 of which will go to the Air Guard, and it is certainly a prudent and efficient investment, but, additionally, the HASC bill also funds the National Guard and Reserve equipment account, which, if the Air Guard really thought they needed these radars, they could go buy them from that without turning to our nuclear deterrent.

So why would this be damaging? Well, already, the DOD nuclear activities are $2 billion short of their 2010 commitment, and our deferred maintenance across the DOD, the deferred maintenance--stuff that we need to be fixing that we are not fixing--has a backlog of $3.5 billion, and this amendment would take another $39 million out of that effort to satisfy that backlog.

This should, as Chairman Rogers said, be seen exactly for what it is, another effort to unilaterally reduce the nuclear deterrent of the United States. I think this would be a better focus if it was focused on Russia, and it certainly does nothing to improve the overall capability of our Air National Guard. They have all the resources that they would need.

As Mr. Blumenauer knows, my comment is that they have all the resources they need to make a decision to purchase these radars. Everyone knows that this bill is underfunded, and it certainly underfunded nuclear weapons, and your bill, your amendment would only further reduce our nuclear weapons capability.

Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Chairman, I want to thank Chairman Culberson and Ranking Member Bishop for their hard work and dedication to ensure that we have a great bill for our vets and men and women in uniform, but also for their tenacity.

I want to thank Chairman Culberson for his efforts and working with me on this amendment and also Ranking Member Bishop.

Today, I rise in support of an amendment to provide funding for the planning, design, and construction of an additional missile defense site capable of protecting the homeland from a long-range ballistic missile attack.

To date, two Presidents, as well as three Secretaries of Defense have recognized the advantage of an additional missile defense site in order to provide additional protection against a long-

range ballistic missile threat from regions like the Middle East.

As you may be aware, we currently possess only two sites, both located on the west coast, limiting our ability to target and intercept incoming ICBMs.

Since 2007, the United States Northern Command, the combatant command in charge of defending the homeland, has, on numerous occasions, recommended the construction of an east coast site for this purpose.

Just last year, in testimony before the House Armed Services Committee--and, again, in testimony this year--General Jacoby, the U.S. Northern commander stated, ``The third site, if you built it, would give us better weapons access, it would give us increased inventory and increased battle space with regards to a threat coming from the direction of the Middle East.''

As China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea push for more advance launch vehicles, the construction of an east coast site will dramatically improve the ability of our military to intercept incoming threats by increasing the opportunity to engage and defeat those threats.

With the 2009 cancellation of the missile defense site in Poland, coupled with an increased threat environment, it is imperative that we continue to act to protect the homeland from the long-range ballistic missile threat.

Thank you for your consideration to this amendment. I want to, again, thank Chairman Culberson for his leadership in protecting our men and women in uniform, our national security, and our veterans.

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

Offered by: Mr. Turner

Amendment No. 4: Page 4, line 19, insert after the dollar

amount the following: ``(reduced by $20,000,000)(increased by

$20,000,000)''.

Page 5, line 3, insert after the dollar amount the

following: ``(increased by $20,000,000)''.

Mr. Speaker, as a proud alumnus of the University of Dayton, I am here today to wish good luck to the Dayton Flyers.

The University of Dayton men's basketball team has advanced to the NCAA tournament's Sweet 16 for the first time in 30 years. The Dayton Flyers are the only team this season to have upset two top 25 teams in the second and third rounds of the NCAA tournament.

But the city of Dayton has a history of being underestimated. Orville and Wilbur Wright started working on their so-called ``flying machine'' in a Dayton garage. As we all know, these pioneers of aviation went on to complete the first manned flight, transforming the way we travel and engage in commerce.

It is fitting that the University of Dayton bears the Flyer name in honor of the Dayton tradition of succeeding despite all odds.

Congratulations to the Dayton Flyers and Coach Archie Miller. You have a vast fan base of students, faculty, and alumni throughout the country who will be cheering you on tomorrow night.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Lieutenant General Richard C.

Harding, who is retiring after thirty-four years of accomplished and distinguished military service. Throughout his career as a senior officer, General Harding has provided invaluable testimony and advice to this body and in particular to the Armed Services Committee. Specifically, General Harding has provided his expert military advice on a wide range of defense and national security issues and especially on the workings of the military justice system in relation to the sexual assault crisis in which the military finds itself. I think I speak for all of my colleagues on the Armed Services Committee when I say that his depth of knowledge, outstanding leadership and professionalism, and deep respect and consideration for all of our men and women in uniform will be greatly missed.

The son of an Air Force officer and grandson of a Naval officer, General Harding entered the Air Force with a direct commission in 1980 after receiving his Bachelor of Science degree and Juris Doctor degree from the University of Arkansas. Over the course of his career, General Harding served six tours as a staff judge advocate at the unified command, major command, numbered air force and wing levels. He also served in a variety of staff positions at Headquarters Air Force and as the Deputy Chief Counsel for U.S. Transportation Command. Before serving as The Judge Advocate General (TJAG) General Harding was the Commander of the Air Force Legal Operations Agency.

During his tenure as TJAG, General Harding led the Air Force Judge Advocate General's Corps during one of the most turbulent periods in military law and most challenging budget crises in history. He innovatively orchestrated the creation and implementation of the Federal Government's first-ever Special Victims' Counsel Program, ensuring legal representation for victims of sexual assault. This Program was subsequently adopted by the Secretary of Defense and implemented across the Department of Defense.

Additionally, General Harding's focused processing initiatives revitalized the military justice system by drastically reducing court- martial processing times. He also resurrected the publication of the Air Force's standards of professional conduct by leading the drafting, coordinating, and publishing of the first-ever, Air Force Instruction 1-1, Air Force Standards, and he keenly consolidated the Judge Advocate and Inspector General inspection processes by creating a single two- tiered evaluation system to standardize and improve the delivery of legal services. Finally, General Harding astutely guided the Air Force through one of the most challenging budget crises in history by providing sage legal support for multiple manpower and personnel reductions, headquarters reorganizations, and field operating agency consolidations.

Through my role as Member of the Armed Services Committee I have had the pleasure of working directly with General Harding during this time. He has faithfully executed his oath of office and constitutional duties as the top uniformed military lawyer for the United States Air Force and provided this committee and congress with honest, direct, and sound advice. He will leave a lasting legacy on our Armed Forces.

For thirty-four years General Harding has performed his job professionally, honestly, and with great dedication. We will miss his leadership and vision, and wish him all the best as he retires from active duty service to our nation.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor Major General Maggie H. Woodward, who is retiring after 31 years of faithful and distinguished service to her nation. Throughout her career, and especially as a senior officer, General Woodward has provided invaluable testimony, advice, and service to this body. Specifically and most recently, General Woodward provided updates and insight in relation to sexual assault in the military and on her progress in leading the fight against this scourge as Director of the new Air Force Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office.

Inspired by her grandfather, one of the United States' first military pilots, General Woodward sought to fly aircraft in defense of her nation. She entered the Air Force in 1983 as an ROTC graduate of Arizona State University. Over the course of her distinguished career, she commanded at the squadron, group, wing, and numbered Air Force levels, including Air Forces Africa in Germany and the 89th Airlift Wing at Andrews Air Force base, home of Air Force One.

General Woodward flew and commanded in Operations Just Cause, Northern and Southern Watch, Allied Force, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Additionally, General Woodward served as Coalition Forces Air Component Commander during Operation Odyssey Dawn--the first female Component Commander in our nation's history. Her most lasting impact will be the momentum she provided in turning back the tide of sexual assault in our military; her compassion for victims, relentless pursuit of perpetrators, and dedication to reinforcing a climate of dignity and respect within the Air Force has set a new standard for military leaders everywhere. She retires as a command pilot with more than 3,800 flying hours in multiple aircraft, and the respect of both military members and civilians alike.

For 31 years General Woodward has performed her job professionally, honestly, and

passionately. We will miss her leadership, courage, and dedication, and wish her all the best as she retires from active duty service to our great nation.

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to vote on rollcall No. 50. If my vote had been counted, I would have voted ``yea'' on passage of H.R. 3964.

Madam Speaker, my hometown of Dayton, Ohio, is the birthplace of aviation. At the turn of the 20th century, Orville and Wilbur Wright, bicycle repair shop owners in Dayton, invented the first airplane, ushering in the era of modern aviation.

From their efforts, America led the development of an entire new industry. It revolutionized commerce, communication, travel, and our national defense.

Today, Ohio continues to help the Nation reach new heights in aviation and in the aerospace industry.

For example, in Dayton, the field where the Wright brothers developed and flew ``the world's first practical aeroplane'' is now part of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, the largest Air Force base in the world and home to the Air Force Research Laboratory, dedicated to advancing aerospace technologies.

That is why I am here today to congratulate the efforts of the Wright Image Group, a team of resolute individuals who are preparing to construct a new monument for America to promote our Nation's accomplishments in air and space.

Calling it the ``Triumph of Flight,'' seen here, they will place a massive replica of the 1905 Wright flyer 250 feet in the air above the crossroads intersection of Interstates 70 and 75.

Madam Speaker, this monument's innovative design will remind us of the Wright brothers' achievements and excite and inspire future generations.

This monument site will honor the great achievements of Ohio aviation and aerospace leaders, including the Wright brothers, John Glenn, and Neil Armstrong.

I congratulate them again on the innovative design, and we look forward to this monument rising between Interstates 70 and 75.

Mr. Speaker, I support the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2014, the 52nd consecutive National Defense Authorization Act.

I have had the privilege of serving as the chairman of the Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee of our Armed Services Committee. Under the full leadership of Chairman McKeon and Ranking Member Smith, the support of Loretta Sanchez, our subcommittee's ranking member, and a superb staff, ours is truly a bipartisan effort.

This year's bill reflects Congress' substantial bipartisan and bicameral efforts to construct meaningful reforms aimed at combating the pervasive issue of sexual assault within our military.

I want to thank Chairman McKeon and Ranking Member Smith for their dedication so that this body's solution on these issues has been absolutely bipartisan. These legislative initiatives are unprecedented and the most powerful steps made to date toward the eradication of sexual assault in the military.

Specifically, the bill includes all provisions of the BE SAFE Act and Coast Guard Strong, which were introduced in both the House and Senate by Congresswoman Tsongas and myself and Senators McCaskill and Collins, respectively. It includes bipartisan measures introduced by Representatives Heck, Walorski, Noem, Castro, Davis, Sanchez, and Duckworth. Additionally, it includes the significant efforts made by Senator Boxer and Representatives Speier, Tsongas, and myself in the past month to reform the article 32 process and ensure victims are not subjected to unnecessary intimidation tactics.

Instead of searching for ways to remove a commander's authority, this bill establishes systemic process and reforms which will provide military leaders with the tools they need to ensure that victims are cared for, that perpetrators are brought to justice, and that commanders are held accountable for what goes on within their units.

This bill enhances the rights of victims, strengthens military whistleblower protection laws, increases training requirements, and improves the ways the services respond to sexual assault reporting. It ensures that perpetrators are appropriately held accountable for these serious and violent crimes.

In addition to the sexual assault provisions, the bill includes an additional $90 million for Abrams tank upgrades and $75 million for heavy improved recovery vehicles that would ensure that our armored vehicle industrial base remains active.

Lastly, the bill strongly supports the Joint Strike Fighter program. I urge Members to support the bill.

Mr. Speaker, over the past year, I have heard from thousands of people in the Dayton area who have been affected by the unilateral and irresponsible spending cuts known as sequestration, which I have strongly opposed. Among those are numerous business owners who have contacted my office with details about the need to cut hours and eliminate full-time jobs in an effort to keep their doors open in this time of budgetary uncertainty.

Because of this continued uncertainty in contracts and the military's ability to make commitments, thousands of jobs in the Dayton area are at risk as we head into the second year of sequestration. Many of these subcontractors are critical to the training and further education of our military personnel. As a result of these cutbacks, our readiness and the ability to deal with global conflicts are greatly diminished.

Hundreds of hardworking civilian employees are struggling to pay their personal bills as a result of furloughs, and many more will suffer in 2014 as reductions in force will be necessary if the burdens of sequestration are not lifted.

I encourage those members of the Budget Committee to find targeted and meaningful spending cuts that will alleviate the pressure that sequestration is having on Dayton and similar communities across the country that serve as strong supporters of our military.