Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Vickie McCurdy as she celebrates 50 years in the banking industry with Farmers and Merchants Bank.

Vickie was born on January 19, 1955. She married her husband, Gary McCurdy, on June 15, 1973. Her first day at work was October 1, 1973.

Vickie and Gary were blessed with one son, Dr. Matthew McCurdy. Matthew is married to Elisha, and they are expecting Vickie's first grandchild early next year. Vickie attends Lebanon Church of Christ in Piedmont, Alabama, where her husband, Gary, serves as pastor.

Vickie has worked to raise money for the American Cancer Society for a number of years and helped with the Spring Garden Education Foundation.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing this milestone for Vickie McCurdy. Congratulations to her on 50 years of service.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this motion to instruct. This motion seeks to strip language in the House bill that prohibits the Department of Defense from spending taxpayer money to facilitate abortion procedures.

DOD's abortion travel policy is a flagrant violation of Congress' intent and our Nation's moral principles.

This is all part of the Biden administration's politicization of the military.

For years, Biden's political appointees have been pushing questionable policies on our troops just to satisfy their ideological agenda. They understand that using military orders is the most efficient way to usher in the rapid social change that they seek.

The military should not be used as a petri dish for social experimentation. This is not the right thing to do. Our troops should not be used as the vanguard for the left's social agenda.

The civilian leadership at DOD should be focused on building the world's most lethal fighting force. Instead, they are doing somersaults to try to satisfy the far-left's political agenda.

This misguided abortion travel policy is just another example. It is a radical overreaction to a problem that doesn't exist.

Secretary Austin said that the policy was necessary to avoid significant implications for the readiness of the force, but in the 6 months since this began, there have been less than a handful of people who have exercised this policy.

Rather than helping readiness, radical policies like this one are undermining readiness. They are driving away potential recruits, and they are undermining morale and retention. It needs to end.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to oppose this motion, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Jackson), an outstanding member of the Armed Services Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Johnson), a great new member of the Armed Services Committee and a longtime champion of the unborn in America.

Mr. Speaker, I have one correction to make, that this is a new policy. This was not existing policy. It was announced on October 20 against the advice of the congressional leadership and finalized on February 16. They didn't just take existing policy and continue it.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Self), a great new freshman Member.

Mr. Speaker, I share the sentiment of the most recent speaker. I think it is shameful that the DOD has been playing games with the troops in this country.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Miller).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith), a longtime champion of the unborn in America.

Mr. Speaker, may I inquire as to how much time I have remaining.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Fallon), an outstanding member of the Armed Services Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Indiana (Mrs. Houchin).

Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentlewoman from Indiana.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Alford), a great member of the Armed Services Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Van Duyne).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Colorado (Mrs. Boebert).

Mr. Speaker, this provision protects life and restores sanity to the Department of Defense.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to oppose the motion, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 1 of rule XXII, and by direction of the Committee on Armed Services, I have a motion at the desk.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the motion.

The previous question was ordered.

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 12 of rule XXII, I move that meetings of the conference between the House and Senate on H.R. 2670 may be closed to the public at such times as classified national security information may be discussed, provided that any sitting Member of Congress shall be entitled to attend any meeting of the conference.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life of Mr. Harvey Doleman, Sr. Mr. Harvey Doleman, Sr. is a native of Anniston, AL. He received his grammar school education at Central Girard Elementary School, Phenix City, AL, and graduated from South Girard High School in 1953. He attended Chattahoochee Valley Community College.

Upon graduating from high school, Mr. Doleman joined the United States Army. Mr. Doleman was assigned to U.S. Army Chemical Corps, Senior Instructor Chemical School, at Ft. McClellan, AL, where he specialized in chemical warfare. He also had overseas assignments during his service including Korea 1956-1957, Germany 1963-1966, Korea 1967-1968 and Vietnam 1970-1971. His final duty assignment and major command was HHC, US Army School/Training Center, TRADOC.

He received recognition for his service including National Defense Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Good Conduct Medal (Fourth Award), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Korea), Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device, 2 Oversea Bars, Bronze Star Medal, 6 Service Awards, Stripes and Sharpshooter (Rifle M-14 & Rifle M-16).

After serving 20 years, 4 months, and 19 days in the Army, he retired from active duty with an honorable discharge as Sergeant First Class on February 28, 1974.

He worked a Civil Service job at the weapon pool at Ft. McClellan, AL after retiring from the Army. Later he fully retired to enjoy life, especially with his family.

His family is his pride and joy. He has 5 children--Gwendolyn Carter, Harvey Doleman, Jr., Phyllis Doleman Teague, Sharon Doleman and Frederick Doleman.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in thanking Mr. Doleman for his service to our country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the retirement of Dr. John Mascia, who has dedicated over 10 years of service as the President of the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind.

On January 1, 2013, Dr. Mascia became the 17th President of the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind, the nation's most comprehensive education and service program for children, adults, and seniors with hearing and vision loss.

Dr. Mascia received his doctorate in Audiology from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry. Additionally, he holds a master's degree in Audiology and a B.A. degree in Speech Pathology/Audiology from Hofstra University. Dr. Mascia began his work with the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind in January 2005 where he served as Executive Director of the Gentry Facility and Regional Centers until his 2009 promotion to Vice President of Adult Services.

Dr. Mascia has received awards from the Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind-Alabama-Grider Award, the Alabama Association of the Deaf Alabama Citizen Award, the Council of Organizations Serving Deaf Alabamians Professional of the Year, the Audiology Foundation of America Professional Leadership Award, and the Joan Fox Memorial Award in Audiology.

Dr. Mascia is married to Dr. Nancy Mascia, and they have three children, Katie, Chris and Annie.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing the retirement of Dr. John Mascia and his service to the state of Alabama.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life of Mr. Walter Raymond Hall.

Walter Raymond Hall was born in Anniston, Alabama. On April 26, 1933, he enlisted in the Civilian Conservation Corps at Fort McClellan, Alabama, and was mustered in as a laborer with Company 463, the Forest Service crew that built Cheaha State Park, Alabama, including the famed Bunker Tower. Hall was honorably discharged from service with the Civilian Conservation Corps in June of 1934.

He began his service as a law enforcement officer in May of 1953, when Calhoun County Sheriff A.A. ``Socco'' Pate swore Hall in as Deputy Sheriff. Tragically, in October of 1962 while transferring a prisoner from Calhoun County to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Hall was involved in a car accident. Walter Raymond Hall passed away in November of 1962 from complications related to injuries sustained during the car accident.

He was laid to rest at Forestlawn Gardens in Anniston, Alabama. He left behind his wife, Aileen, his two children, Jerry and Gail, a brother, Charlie, and a sister, Birdie Mae.

In 2023, Hall's name was placed on the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, D.C., as well as on the State of Alabama Law Enforcement Memorial in Centennial Memorial Park in Anniston.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing the life of Mr. Walter Raymond Hall and his service to the State of Alabama.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to wish John Townsend a happy 85th birthday.

John is a native of Talladega County, Alabama. He resides in Fayetteville with his wife, Lola M. Townsend. They have been married for 56 years. He has one son, John Townsend, Jr., who is married to Brenda Townsend and one daughter, Victoria Cook, who is married to Alfred Cook, Sr.

Mr. Townsend is blessed with six grandchildren: Jalane, Daria. Alfred, Jr., Johntavis, Cameron, and Alexandria. He has 8 great- grandchildren with the youngest 2 of them twin boys.

Mr. Townsend worked for Avondale Mills for more than 29 years before he retired. He also worked for Parker Fertilizer for many years.

In his free time, Mr. Townsend enjoys gardening and spending time with his family. To

celebrate this milestone, Mr. Townsend is celebrating his 85th birthday at Top of the River restaurant with his family and friends.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in wishing John Townsend a very happy 85th birthday.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the retirement of Mr. Thomas ``Tommy'' Carlisle following his 37-year career at Anniston Army Depot. Mr. Carlisle's service includes travel throughout the United States as well as 4 deployments overseas supporting the mission of the U.S. Army.

Tommy has served as a supervisor in 4 divisions including Fielding, Reciprocating Drive Train, Weapons and Track Systems. Additionally, Tommy has served as a Division Chief in

3 divisions including Logistics Management (Fielding), Reciprocating and Tracked Systems. In 2010, he was named Deputy Director of Production where he served for 8 years before becoming selected to serve as the Director of Production. Building on this service, he was selected as Deputy to the Commander at Anniston Army Depot on September 29, 2019.

Mr. Carlisle is a native and resident of Lincoln, Alabama. Tommy has been married for 34 years to his wife, Susan. Together, they have 2 children as well as 2 grandchildren. Tommy is an avid University of Alabama fan who enjoys tailgating and traveling to games. Additionally, Tommy enjoys being on the river, riding his Harley and socializing with his friends.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing the retirement of Mr. Thomas Carlisle for his 37-year career at Anniston Army Depot.

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

Mr. Chair, I thank the gentleman for offering the amendment.

Ubiquitous commercial data collection and bulk data sales represent a privacy concern for all Americans. Companies and governments alike have access to once unimaginable amounts of user data through commercial channels. This development and the Fourth Amendment questions that come with it deserve full consideration.

I look forward to working with the gentleman on this amendment to ensure that these issues are addressed in a manner that does not unduly burden the Department of Defense relative to the rest of the Federal Government while ensuring its operational needs are met.

I think Congress will spend a substantial amount of time on the privacy concerns addressed by this amendment in the coming months, and I welcome that discussion.

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

Mr. Chair, pursuant to House Resolution 583, I offer amendments en bloc.

Mr. Chair, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Nunn), my friend and colleague.

Mr. Chair, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentleman from Iowa.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. Mike Garcia), my friend.

Mr. Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Van Orden), an outstanding freshman.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Jackson), my friend.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Molinaro), my friend.

Mr. Chair, we have no further speakers if the gentleman would like to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

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

Mr. Chair, I thank our bipartisan HASC staff for their tremendous work. As I talked about yesterday, our committee staff has worked for monthslong hours in a very bipartisan fashion to get us where we are today.

I also thank everyone from the Office of the Legislative Counsel, the Congressional Budget Office, the Parliamentarian's Office, the Clerk, the floor staff, the Rules Committee, and the leadership on both sides of the aisle.

I especially thank my friend, Ranking Member Smith, for his hard work and assistance. As a longtime former chairman of this committee, he gets the ebbs and flows of this process and has been a very helpful partner in helping me lead this committee.

Mr. Chairman, this is a good bill.

I will address this to my Conference: There is absolutely no reason why any Republican should vote against the bill. It will enhance the congressional oversight of the DOD. It will improve the quality of life for our servicemembers and their families. It will help build the ready, capable, and lethal fighting force we need to deter the Chinese Communist Party and other adversaries.

Mr. Chair, I urge all Members to support the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Clerk be authorized to make technical corrections in the engrossment of H.R. 2670, including corrections in spelling, punctuation, section and title numbering, cross referencing, conforming amendments to the table of contents and short titles, and the insertion of appropriate headings.

Madam Chair, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

DOD's abortion travel policy is a flagrant violation of the congressional intent and our Nation's moral principles. This policy is part of the Biden administration's politicization of the military. It is completely unnecessary, and it is clearly unlawful.

Madam Chair, I urge all Members to support this amendment.

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

Mr. Chair, this amendment would remove a section in the bill relating to the B83 nuclear gravity bomb and prohibit any funding for B83 sustainment.

The B83 is the last megaton-class nuclear weapon in our arsenal. It exists to destroy deeply buried targets. China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran are putting some of the things they value most underground, covered in steel and concrete. The B83 is currently our only way of getting to those targets.

When the Biden administration proposed to begin retiring the B83 last year, we asked: How are you going to replace them?

They didn't have an answer. So, Democrats and Republicans agreed on a provision in the FY 2023 NDAA that allowed the Department to retire up to 25 percent of those bombs but prohibited any further retirements until the Department completed the study on how to replace that capability.

As of this date, the Biden Pentagon is still studying the problem, and we are not any closer to the B83 replacement.

The language included in our bill repeats the bipartisan compromise struck in last year's NDAA--nothing more and nothing less.

I also note this amendment would prohibit all sustaining funding to the B83. Not even the Biden administration thinks this is a good idea. Stockpile sustainment includes the safety and surveillance activities necessary to keep nuclear weapons safe and secure.

There is no exception in this amendment to allow for those activities to continue. Completely cutting off funds is irresponsible.

Mr. Chair, I urge Members to oppose this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Lamborn), my friend and colleague from the Armed Services Committee and the chair of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee.

Mr. Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Strong), who is an outstanding freshman member of the Armed Services Committee.

Mr. Chair, I believe this amendment is bad policy. Not even the Biden administration is proposing to zero out this funding. It would also be dangerous from a safety point of view.

Mr. Chair, I urge all Members to oppose this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

This amendment would strike a provision in the bill that prohibits the Nation's ICBM fleet from falling below its current size of 400.

In 2014, the Obama administration decided to reduce the ICBM fleet to 400 missiles to comply with the New START Treaty. Ever since 2016, the Congress has included provisions in the defense authorization bill to effectively prohibit any further reduction.

The reason is simple. Nuclear threats are growing. In fact, just this year, the commander of U.S. Strategic Command notified Congress that China now possesses more ICBM launchers than the United States.

Now is not the time to be considering cuts to our ICBM fleet, which remains central to our deterrent.

I want to quote former Vice Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff John Hyten, whom many of us know and respect. When asked specifically about reducing the ICBM force, he replied: ``I don't understand how, with the threats that we face today, which are growing, not shrinking, we would make a decision today as a nation to lessen our overall strategic deterrent. That makes no sense to me, and my best military advice is that we do not do that.''

Mr. Chair, I urge all Members to oppose the amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Lamborn).

Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bacon), an outstanding member of the Armed Services Committee.

Mr. Chair, this amendment will strike commonsense provisions that have been consistent policies since 2016.

Mr. Chair, I urge Members to oppose the amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

I would ask my friend and colleague from South Carolina, does he believe his amendment is intended to impact uniformed personnel who work in these offices?

I yield to the gentleman from South Carolina.

It is not?

It is not. That is what I was hoping to hear.

Mr. Chairman, I thank my friend from Virginia for yielding. I urge adoption of this amendment. I will remind people that this commission was established for the purpose of renaming our major military installations that had been named after Confederate officers. That mission is complete.

There is no reason for us to continue to spend funding on this commission to hunt for things to do. We were told it was going to cost only a million dollars, but they have gone over $30 million. We need to just let them complete their job, which they have done. Stop this funding and adopt this amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I urge a favorable vote on my colleague's amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I thank my friend from California. I support the gentleman's intentions, but I have concerns with the impacts if this amendment were enacted as written.

Lumber is a sustainable building product. Innovative timber products are currently being used in military construction projects throughout the country. I don't think anyone wants to limit the use of these timber products.

The American Wood Council and the Southeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association are opposed to this amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to oppose it.

Mr. Chair, this amendment would prohibit the Department of Defense from spending any research and development funding on solar cells and other technologies on Earth or in orbit.

Most people who know me know that I spend a lot of time on national security space. Mr. Chair, 100 percent of our U.S. satellites, both government and commercial, rely on secure communications. Missile warning and global positioning are powered by solar cells.

Ending research and development on cutting-edge solar technology does not advance national defense. In fact, it would limit our ability to confront China in space as they seek to challenge our superiority.

I agree that DOD shouldn't waste time on fake green initiatives, but advancing key space capabilities with these technologies makes our military more lethal. I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I support the amendment and believe it will help the Armed Services and Foreign Affairs Committees in their ongoing investigations of the war in Afghanistan.

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

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to insert extraneous material on H.R. 2670.

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

Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2670, the fiscal year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act.

H.R. 2670 represents a truly bipartisan bill. I thank Ranking Member Smith for his tremendous help in moving this bill through committee. Congress has the constitutional duty to provide for our common defense. Every year, we fulfill this duty by passing the National Defense Authorization Act.

The fiscal year 2024 NDAA provides our warfighters the resources and authorities they need to provide for the defense of our Nation and the security of our allies around the world.

That is critical because the threats we face today are more complex and serious than they have been at any point in the last 30 years. Topping that list is an increasingly aggressive China.

Ranking Member Smith and I recently led a bipartisan delegation to Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines. What was clear from our meetings was that the threat posed by the Chinese Communist Party is real and represents the most pressing national security challenge we have faced in decades.

The fiscal year 2024 NDAA was built with that underlying goal of deterring the Chinese Communist Party in mind.

It provides new authorities and speeds the fielding of innovative new technologies like artificial intelligence and hypersonics that will give us the advantage in a conflict with China. It strengthens our security partnerships with Taiwan and other Pacific allies.

It fully funds and expedites the modernization of the nuclear deterrent and builds a stronger and more capable missile defense. It protects the U.S. military bases, critical infrastructure, and academic research from Chinese encroachment and espionage.

It builds the logistics networks that the Pacific military needs to carry out the operations against China. It includes new authorities to retool and revitalize the industrial base to ensure they can deliver the systems we need to prevail in any conflict.

Reorienting our defense to deter the threat from China will be an expensive endeavor. We knowledge there are limits on what we can afford to spend, that is why this NDAA is hyperfocused on rooting out waste in the DOD. If weapons systems are not responsive to the threats we face, we cut them.

In fact, the NDAA includes nearly $40 billion in savings from cutting systems that can't survive a conflict with China and by reining in programs that have grown out of control.

We also require the DOD Inspector General to review major defense programs for waste, and we create a new special inspector general to oversee all

Ukraine aid. In the face of growing threats from China, it is critical we restore the military's focus on lethality.

The fiscal year 2024 NDAA does so by bringing to an end divisive policies implemented by this administration that have hurt recruiting, unit cohesion, and military readiness.

While I believe this will go a long way toward resolving the recruiting crisis we face, we also need to improve the quality of life for our servicemembers and their families. The NDAA does that by providing for the largest pay raise in 30 years and authorizes bonuses for junior enlisted personnel.

It increases allowances for housing and basic needs to counteract the growing costs for food and housing. It authorizes $200 million more than the President requested to build new barracks and family housing.

The bill expands access and significantly reduces the cost of childcare for military families. It makes it easier for military spouses to find jobs when servicemembers transfer stations.

Finally, it improves the quality of military healthcare, especially mental health services for our servicemembers and their families.

This bill passed out of committee 58-1. That is the definition of a bipartisan bill. It will enhance congressional oversight of DOD and it will improve the quality of life of our servicemembers. It will help build the ready, capable, and lethal fighting force we need to deter the Chinese Communist Party and our other adversaries.

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

House of Representatives,

Committee on Agriculture,

Washington, DC, June 28, 2023.

Hon. Mike Rogers,

Chairman, Committee on Armed Services,

Washington, DC.

Dear Chairman Rogers: I am writing to you concerning H.R.

2670, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year

2024. There are certain provisions in the legislation that

fall within the Rule X jurisdiction of the Committee on

Agriculture.

In the interest of permitting your committee to proceed

expeditiously to floor consideration of this important bill,

I am willing to waive this committee's right to sequential

referral. I do so with the understanding that by waiving

consideration of the bill, the Committee on Agriculture does

not waive any future jurisdictional claim over the subject

matters contained in the bill that fall within its Rule X

jurisdiction. I request that you urge the Speaker to name

members of this committee to any conference committee that is

named to consider such provisions.

Please place this letter into the committee report on H.R.

2670 and into the Congressional Record during consideration

of the measure on the House floor. Thank you for the

cooperative spirit in which you have worked regarding this

matter and others between our respective committees.

Sincerely,

Glenn ``GT'' Thompson,

Chairman.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wittman), the vice chairman of the full committee.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Lamborn), who is the chairman of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Kelly), who is the chairman of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Gallagher), who is the chairman of the Cyber, Information Technologies, and Innovation Subcommittee.

Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Bergman), the chairman of the Intelligence and Special Operations Subcommittee.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Waltz), my friend and chairman of the Readiness Subcommittee.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Banks), my good friend, and the chairman of the Military Personnel Subcommittee.

Mr. Chairman, may I inquire as to how much time is remaining on each side?

Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Jackson), my friend and colleague.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Gaetz), my friend and colleague.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Alford), my friend and colleague.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. McCormick), my friend and colleague, and a freshman member of the committee who is doing an outstanding job.

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

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

Mr. Chair, the ranking member did a great job of outlining how important this bill is and emphasizing the fact that we don't all agree with what is in this bill. It is a compromise process.

We are in an institution where we have divided government. Neither side is going to get everything they like.

I represent a rural, very conservative district. If all I had to worry about was my perspective, this bill would look a lot different, but I am not the only person that gets a say-so.

We have a history, and a very proud history in this body of finding a way,

for 62 consecutive years, to come together, no matter which party is in control of the White House, no matter which party is in control of the House or Senate, to find a way to put our men and women in uniform ahead of everything else and get a national defense authorization bill passed.

Our committee demonstrated, once again this year, with a 58-1 vote, that that priority is still the priority.

I am very proud of this bill. It is not everything I like. I hope that, in fact, once we finish this amendment process, it looks a lot like it does right now because the ranking member is correct. If this bill were put on the floor for a vote today, it would get much more than 350 votes in my opinion, so I am proud of it.

I do want to take a minute to thank our staff. I can't overstate how much work has gone into this process. As the ranking member mentioned, we had over 1,200, 12 or 1,300 amendments filed in committee. We had, I believe, over 1,400 filed here for the floor.

The staff has done an incredible job over recent months to get us to where we are. They continue to work in a great bipartisan fashion to advance this product.

The Rules Committee has been very helpful to work with, and I appreciate all of these individuals and what they do for our country.

This is a good bill. I urge Members to vote for it.

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

Mr. Chair, pursuant to House Resolution 582, I offer amendments en bloc.

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

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

I was just going to tell the gentleman that I have speakers that aren't here, so I am ready to move on, as well. I appreciate the ranking member. He has done a great job. He has been a great partner in this process, and I can't overstate how highly I think of him.

Mr. Chairman, I encourage my colleagues to support the en bloc package, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, pursuant to House Resolution 582, I offer amendments en bloc.

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

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Strong), my friend and colleague.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Hill), my friend and colleague.

Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support the en bloc package, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, pursuant to House Resolution 582, I offer amendments en bloc.

Mr. Chairman, I have no speakers. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I have no additional speakers.

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

Mr. Chairman, I have no additional speakers, and I urge my colleagues to vote for the en bloc amendments.

Mr. Chair, pursuant to House Resolution 582, I offer amendments en bloc.

Mr. Chairman, I have no speakers. I encourage my colleagues to support the en bloc package, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, pursuant to House Resolution 582, I offer amendments en bloc.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Strong), my friend and colleague and an outstanding member of the Armed Services Committee.

Mr. Chairman, the gentleman from Alabama does not wish to seek recognition.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Norman).

Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Rose).

Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Donalds), a friend and colleague.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Cammack), another outstanding member of the Florida congressional delegation.

Mr. Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Puerto Rico (Mrs. Gonzalez-Colon).

Mr. Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Missouri (Mrs. Wagner), my friend and colleague.

Mr. Chair, I encourage support of the en bloc package, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Col. Eric A. McCoy on completing his assignment as the 37th Commander of the Anniston Army Depot.

Colonel Eric A. McCoy, a native of Baltimore. Maryland, was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Ordnance Corps on May 15, 1998. He is a distinguished military graduate of Morgan State University. Colonel McCoy's civilian education includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Mental Health, a Master of Science in Administration from Central Michigan University, a Master of Science in Policy Management from Georgetown University, and a Master of Arts in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College. His military education includes the U.S. Army Ordnance Officer Basic Course, U.S. Army Combined Logistics Captains' Career Course, U.S. Army Combined Arms Staff and Services School, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, and the U.S. Army War College.

Prior to his assignment at Anniston Army Depot, Colonel McCoy served as the Director of the Subsistence Supply Chain, Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, and Meritorious Unit Commendation. He is authorized to wear the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Army Staff Identification Badges.

Colonel McCoy commanded a 15,319 acre organic industrial base installation with an annual budget of over $750 million and 2,284 building/structures. As ANAD commander, he was responsible for force sustainment through the depot's repair, overhaul, and modification of combat vehicles, artillery systems, howitzers, bridging, small arms, components and subassemblies. locomotives, and rail equipment.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Col. Eric A. McCoy on completing his assignment as the 37th Commander of the Anniston Army Depot.