Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of former Alabama Republican Congressman Bill Dickinson who passed away last night at the age of 82 after an extended illness. As many of my colleagues will remember, Bill Dickinson represented Alabama's Second Congressional District for 28 years. Barbara and I send our heartfelt condolences to Bill's wife, Barbara, their children, Christopher, Michael, Tara and Bill, Jr. and the entire Dickinson family at this time of personal loss.

A native of Opelika, Alabama, and a former city, county and state judge before coming to Congress, Bill Dickinson was a Republican in the Deep South when being a Republican was not popular. Bill Dickinson came to Washington in 1964 as part of the Goldwater sweep of the Deep South and gained a reputation as a formidable legislator and a strong conservative voice for southeast Alabama. He served during a time of momentous change in this House, from civil rights movements and political upheavals of the 1960s, through Vietnam, Watergate, and the Reagan Revolution.

A Navy veteran, Bill Dickinson was a stalwart in national defense and was Ronald Reagan's point man on the House Armed Services Committee where he was ranking member for over a decade. As the committee's leading Republican he gave his support to President Reagan's defense build-up of the 1980s which made America more secure. Upon his retirement after 14 terms on the Hill, Congressman Dickinson listed his greatest accomplishments. After nearly three decades in office you can be sure the list is long, but here are some of the things he was proudest of. He saw aviation become a permanent full-fledged branch of the Army and Fort Rucker become the permanent home of Army Aviation. Furthermore, he secured Federal funding to help construct the U.S. Army Aviation Museum at Fort Rucker which bears his name. He was credited with getting Pentagon approval for the use of the Apache attack helicopter in the first gulf war. The Apache fired the first shot in the war. He oversaw the transformation of Gunter Air Force Station in Montgomery to an Air Force base before merging it with Maxwell to strengthen it. He also saw Maxwell restored to a major 3 star command and the establishment of the Air Force School of Law and the Senior NCO Academy for the entire Air Force at Maxwell-Gunter.

Bill Dickinson also took pride in securing the initial funding for the ongoing Outer Loop Interstate Connector south of Montgomery linking I-65 to I-85. This project is still underway. With the collapse of the Berlin Wall, the Warsaw Pact and the entire Soviet Union, he witnessed the validation of the concept of ``Peace Through Strength'' for which he always worked. Bill Dickinson's legacy is still felt on many fronts, but today he is often credited with having laid the political foundation that kept the Second Congressional District in Republican hands for so long. I add my voice to those who mourn his passing and remember the dedication of this exemplary congressman.

Members, it is my sad duty to notify the House that a former colleague, Bill Dickinson, passed away last night at age 82. Bill represented Alabama's Second District prior to me, from 1964 to 1992. He served as the ranking Republican on the House Armed Services Committee during the Reagan military build-up years.

His death marks a loss to Alabama and to the Nation, and I now ask for a moment of silence from the body.

Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to the conference report to the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008. The process and the substance of the bill fall sadly short. As one of the crossover Members who serves on both the Select Intelligence and the House Armed Services

Committees, it's critical that the House Armed Services Committee and Select Committee on Intelligence work together on national security programs that serve both the military and national intelligence. Regretfully, the Armed Services Committee's ranking member, Republican, Mr. Hunter of California, was denied any input into the joint programs that are shared by both committees.

On substance, I had hoped the bill would have improved from the House-passed measure in May. That didn't happen. The conference report includes even more politically charged provisions from the Senate bill that micromanage and politicize the interrogation techniques of the intelligence community.

In case anyone in the Chamber has forgotten, we're at war with terrorists. Should we really be publishing our interrogation manuals for the entire world and for terrorists to see?

On a positive note, I would like to mention two specific program areas that are important to both the military and intelligence communities: the U-2 aircraft and space radar programs. The conference report language keeps the U-2 and its critical intelligence capabilities flying until we are truly transitioned over to the Global Hawk.

And I am also pleased that the bill authorizes funding for space radar capabilities, though at a lower funding level than I would like. This is an essential capability that combat commanders and service intelligence chiefs have continuously requested.

Madam Speaker, we can do better than this, and I urge all my colleagues to vote ``no'' on the conference report.

Mr. Speaker, I want to start by recognizing the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton) and my great friend from California (Mr.

Hunter) for their work on this bill. I also want to recognize the fact that the gentleman from Missouri, this is not his first bill but it's his first Defense bill as chairman of the committee, and I congratulate him.

I rise in support of this conference report to accompany the Fiscal Year 2008 National Defense Authorization Act.

The bill includes funds for European missile defense interceptors and radars and encourages the administration to seek a reprogramming request once agreements with host countries are reached.

The bill establishes policy to defend against Iranian ballistic missile threats and seeks greater missile defense cooperation with Israel. It also authorizes an increase of $65 million for the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense. The bill authorizes GMD, THAAD, and KEI at the budget request, and airborne laser funding is increased to just $35 million below the budget request.

In the area of military space, the bill requires the Secretary of Defense and the Director of National Intelligence to develop a space protection strategy. The importance of space to the economy and to modern-day warfighting is often overlooked. In light of the Chinese antisatellite test last January and other threats to space, we must place a greater priority on the protection of our Nation's space capabilities.

Within the area of atomic energy defense activities, the bill reflects general bipartisan agreement, particularly in its authorization of the Reliable Replacement Warhead Program cost and design activities.

And finally, Mr. Speaker, I would be remiss if I didn't recognize the gentlelady from California, who chairs the Strategic Forces Subcommittee. She demonstrates skillful leadership in her first year as chairman, and I want to congratulate her. This bill would not be what it is without her leadership.

I also must recognize my fellow subcommittee chairmen, Members on both sides of the aisle, and their staffs. I think this subcommittee handles some of the most difficult policy decisions in the House Armed Services Committee, and I want to express my appreciation for their hard work in protecting our Nation's security.

At this time, Mr. Speaker, I would like to have a colloquy between myself and Chairman Skelton.

Mr. Speaker, as you know, the government has eliminated the use of non-GSA-approved lock bar file cabinets and outdated mechanical locks for storage of classified information in accordance with national security policy. However, under current Federal regulations, contractors are not required to phase out this old equipment until 2012. This results in less robust security and more government spending to protect classified information handled by contractors.

Although the Department of Defense has taken measures to meet these requirements internally, it is evident that the defense contractor community is behind the implementation of the required locks and safes. The committee has taken an interest in this matter of securing classified information now for several years. Rather than wait another 5 years, I believe DOD should have a plan in place to ensure that contractors are in full compliance with the regulations.

I yield to the gentleman from Missouri.

Mr. Speaker, if the gentleman would yield further, I thank him for his commitment to work with me on the matter.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the contributions of Dr. Cameron Martindale who is retiring from Troy University on December 13. Her record of accomplishments for the university, the students and our community at large is impressive.

On April 13, 2000, Dr. Martindale was named third president of Troy University Montgomery and in May 2001, she was also named vice chancellor for advancement for the Troy University System. Prior to these appointments, she served the university for more than 14 years in a number of positions including interim president, vice president for institutional advancement, and project officer for Troy's Rosa Parks Museum. In August 2003, Dr. Martindale was appointed senior vice chancellor for advancement and external relations for Troy University.

At Troy, Dr. Martindale stabilized the institution's finances and, during a period of proration of State funds, was able to carry over a

balance of $2 million. She totally renovated classrooms to include state-of-the-art equipment and built a new bilevel parking deck for university students and visitors.

Her contributions extended, however, to more than balancing budgets and improving campus facilities. She authored the case statement for Alabama higher education for the 2000 legislative session, she led Troy's development of a new institutional strategic plan, and activated two compressed master's programs--master of science in management and master of science in public administration, and began a civil rights concentration and technical writing program.

Dr. Martindale also oversaw completion and dedication of the landmark Rosa Parks Library and Museum in downtown Montgomery, which has hosted more than 70,000 visitors since December 1, 2000, and was named Alabama Event of the Year in 2001 by the Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel.

An extremely active member of the Montgomery and Alabama educational, business and civic communities. Dr. Martindale has been a tremendous asset to the advancement of Troy University. I join her colleagues and many friends in wishing Dr. Martindale and her family all the best in the future.

Madam Speaker, on the occasion of her retirement from the Department of the Air Force, I want to take this opportunity to honor Mrs. Helen R. Willis for 32 years of dedicated service to our country.

Mrs. Willis, the daughter of an uneducated man who exuded a lot of wisdom inspired her to pursue her education and graduate from Tuskegee Institute, ``the pride of the swift, growing south.''

Since her arrival at Maxwell Air Force Base in 1975, Mrs. Willis has trained over 1,000 active duty military members to become Air Force Medical Laboratory Technicians. Her demonstrated technical expertise, proficiency and ceaseless dedication to her profession resulted in 16 ``Superb'' ratings, considered exceptional by the College of American Pathologists' standards. Mrs. Willis' determination and passion for the profession she believed in was always perfectly packaged by her charm and eloquence. She has been an inspiration to thousands and her legacy will never be forgotten.

Madam Speaker, I join my colleagues in expressing our sincere appreciation to Mrs. Willis for her outstanding service to Maxwell Air Force Base and our country. We wish her and her husband Dr. Edward Willis the best as Mrs. Willis transitions into a new life. Mrs. Willis is a true professional and a credit to herself and the United States Air Force.

Madam Speaker, I rise in tribute to a man who for a generation symbolized great class and professionalism in Alabama political journalism, Bob Ingram.

Alabamians statewide, and, in particular, in the political and journalism communities, were saddened to learn of the passing of Bob Ingram on October 18 at the age of 81. To all those who knew him, Bob was an unquestioned authority on State politics. He possessed a comfortable familiarity with the historical and personal side of Alabama government and the key players who shaped it going back some 6 decades. He was unequalled in his political wisdom because he was a witness to and participant in government. He covered our State through both tough and brighter times but he never lost his love for Alabama and its often colorful political figures.

Bob began his career as a reporter for the Cherokee Herald in his hometown of Centre. His mother, the town librarian, instilled in him a passion for writing which not only pointed him on his way to a remarkable journalism career, but also to authoring several insightful books on the Alabama political scene.

A World War II Marine Corps veteran, reporter for the Montgomery Advertiser, writer of a statewide political column for nearly 50 years, State Finance Director for Governor Albert Brewer, and respected television political commentator in central and southeast Alabama--Bob Ingram was a man of many talents, unified by his love of politics.

There were no sacred cows with Bob's political commentary. That's why we trusted him. You knew his opinions were well-researched and from the heart.

From Big Jim Folsom to Gordon Persons, Patterson, Wallace, Brewer, James, Hunt, Baxley, Siegelman, Riley--he knew them all. Whatever occurred in Alabama politics, you wanted to get Bob's thoughts. He also brought touches of grace, humor, and humility to his commentary--always realizing the pressures and vicissitudes of human nature in the political arena.

Thank you, Bob, for your love of Alabama and her political institutions. Your indelible mark will be felt as strongly as any public servant. And that's the way we see it.

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of this privileged resolution to censure Representative Pete Stark (CA), offered by the Republican Leader. Like many of my colleagues, I was disgusted by the comments of the gentleman from California, Mr. Stark.

Regardless of his personal feelings on the war in Iraq or any other issue before Congress, Mr. Stark's comments were distasteful and not in keeping with the traditions of the House of Representatives. His despicable statements on October 18, 2007 .about the Commander in Chief, his colleagues in Congress, and the men and women who are serving our Nation in Iraq and Afghanistan should be condemned.

Mr. Stark just doesn't get it. The service and sacrifice of our men and women in uniform deserve to be honored and applauded in Congress-- not chided and denigrated by his senseless remarks. I found his recent actions on the floor of the House to be extremely disrespectful of our military and our Commander in Chief. We face serious challenges at home and abroad and Mr. Stark should consider the impact of these comments before opening his mouth in the future.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my opposition to this attempt to override the President's veto of the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (H.R. 976). This bill expands a good program far beyond its original intent, and opens the door to government controlled healthcare. The SCHIP program was created 10 years ago under a Republican led Congress to fill a gap of uninsured, low-income children whose families fell into a salary bracket too high to receive funds under Medicaid. This bill, however, takes this money and gives it to adults, illegal immigrants, and children whose parents are currently making up to $82,000 a year. This bill would encourage more and more children to move from private health care to health care coverage from the Federal government. According to the Congressional Budget Office, as many as two million children would make this shift.

The Liberal spin machine has tried to frame the veto as ``anti- children'', while denying the American people the facts. This bill would cost the American people $60 billion over 5 years. This is a $35 billion increase over the current program, and is $30 billion more than the President said he would support. Even the funding sources of this bill have been hidden from the general public. This bill would add a 61 cent tax to every pack of cigarettes, which the Democrats claim will curb smoking among children. This line of thought, however, is intrinsically flawed by the fact that 22 million new smokers will be required to pay for the cost of this bill. How can anyone be anti smoking when they need the very revenue it creates to pay for the healthcare of children? In addition, in 2012, the funding for this program will all but disappear. After a 5-year campaign of signing up as many middle-class children, adults and illegal immigrants as possible, program funds will be cut by 80 percent. This will cause millions of children to be dropped from their healthcare programs, or require an even more extensive funding expansion and burden on the taxpayers.

While supporters of H.R. 976 claim the bill does not allow Federal payments for illegal residents, it severely weakens Federal law to leave those individuals a gaping loophole. Existing law requires documentation proving one's citizenship in order to be covered under Medicaid and SCHIP, however, this bill would merely require a name and social security number. According to Social Security Administration Commissioner Michael Astrue, a Social Security number would not keep someone from fraudulently receiving coverage under Medicaid of SCHIP if they claimed they were someone that they were not.

Two weeks after the President vetoed the bill the Democrat Leadership has decided to play politics and gamble on the health of these children before having this override vote. This stalling tactic has done nothing but shorten the time we have until this program expires. I am proud to sustain the President's veto and I sincerely hope that my friends on the other side of the aisle care about these children enough to create a bill that everyone can stand behind, as it was when the program first began. I urge a ``no'' vote on the motion to override the President's veto.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to the RESTORE Act, which reauthorizes the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance program. As a Member of the Select Committee on Intelligence, I am deeply troubled that the majority has determined to handcuff the ability of the Intelligence Community (IC) to collect foreign intelligence information.

Forgive me for stating the obvious, but ladies and gentleman, we are at war. We should be helping the IC in their efforts to protect Americans and fight the war on terror; this legislation needlessly ties our hands in collecting foreign intelligence information.

Here are a few of the problems with this bill: No liability protection for the telecommunications companies who have responded to the IC's call for help since the 9/11 attacks; extends constitutional (4th Amendment) protections for terrorists by requiring FISA court approval to monitor individuals outside the U.S.; new and cumbersome FISA court guidelines for IC operations; Justice Department audits of IC activities and operations; onerous and duplicative reporting requirements by the DNI; and the list goes on . . . .

Mr. Speaker, under this legislation, the Majority has made it clear that our Intelligence agencies should be guided by the tenants of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) when monitoring terrorist activity.

This policy is reckless and I urge a ``no'' vote.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Concurrent Resolution 207 recognizing the 60th anniversary of the United States Air Force. Sixty years ago today, the National Security Act of 1947 established what we know as the premiere Air Force in the world. Since that time, thousands of airmen have served our Nation with pride and honor, and I am proud to recognize their service today.

The mission of the U.S. Air Force is to deliver sovereign options for the defense of the United States of America and its global interests-- to fly and fight in air, space, and cyberspace. Air Force aircraft, tankers, and cargo planes play key roles in nearly every combat operation our Nation undertakes. Additionally, their capabilities in space have become critical to air, land, and sea combat operations and are a benefit to our entire Nation.

For the past 60 years, Air Force aircraft, missiles, and satellites have kept our Nation safe. While the many technologies and advancements have certainly contributed to our national defense, it is the most prized resource of the Air Force--its airmen--that truly make a difference for our Nation and the world. As a member of the Air Force Caucus, I am pleased to recognize the service of both current and former Air Force personnel on this 60th anniversary.

As we consider this resolution, our Nation's airmen are serving in every corner of the world, including many in Alabama's Second Congressional District. I am proud to represent Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base, home of Air University, along with the 42nd Air Base Wing, the Operations and Sustainment Support Group, the 908th Airlift Wing, the 754th Electronic Systems Group, the Air Force Logistics Management Agency, and the newest squadron in the Air Force, the 100th Fighter Squadron. The 100th Fighter Squadron is special because it was the squadron of the famed Tuskegee Airmen during World War II, and I am pleased that this squadron will call Montgomery home.

Air University is a major component of Air Education and Training Command and is the Air Force's center for professional military education. Air University provides the full spectrum of Air Force education, from pre-commissioning to the highest levels of professional military education, including degree granting and professional continuing education for officers, enlisted and civilian personnel throughout their careers.

Air University's Professional Military Education programs educate airmen on the capabilities of air and space power and its role in national security. These programs focus on the knowledge and abilities needed to develop, employ, command, and support air and space power at the highest levels. Additionally, Air University conducts research in air and space power, education, leadership, and management and contributes to the development and testing of Air Force doctrine, concepts and strategy.

This year the Air Force also celebrates the 25th birthday of Air Force Space Command. As Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Strategic Forces Subcommittee, I am privileged to work with some of the finest in the Air Force on a set of programs that I believe will only become more important to our future security. Our world is becoming increasingly dependent on assets and platforms in space, and America's Air Force is meeting the challenges of the 21st Century security environment.

During the cold war, Air Force U-2 reconnaissance aircraft kept us safe by keeping watch on the Soviets. I am proud to note that I served as an Intelligence Analyst supporting this platform from 1955-1959 in West Germany. These aircraft performed a number of critically important missions and made a vital contribution to our National defense.

Air and missile crews manning nuclear bombers and ICBMs provided our Nation with a powerful strategic deterrent. These capabilities were a major component of our ``Peace Through Strength'' policy that enabled the United States to win the cold war, and I think it is appropriate for Congress to recognize the dedicated service of countless numbers of airmen who protected our Nation during this time.

As the Air Force ushers in its next 60 years, we can be assured it will be postured to meet new challenges in air, space, and cyberspace. As a member of the Air Force Caucus, I am proud to provide for the needs of current and future force. Although the service is the youngest of the branches of our Armed Forces, there is no question that the Air Force has made, is making, and will continue to make an extraordinary contribution to our nation's defense.

As a nation, we are indebted to the Air Force for its commitment and sacrifice. I congratulate Secretary Wynne, General Moseley, and the entire Air Force team for 60 years of dedicated service and defense of our freedom.

Madam Chairman, I rise in strong opposition to the 2007 farm bill. The budget resolution that we were forced to work with was woefully inadequate for production agriculture. Moreover, the Ways and Means Committee, regardless of what the chairman says, included a tax increase on companies to pay for this bill.

I have great concerns for Southeast peanut producers, who grow almost 85 percent of all peanuts grown in this Nation. They are the number one losers in this bill. There is included, in the manager's amendment, an important new initiative that will not only help all peanut producers address rising input costs, but will ensure greater yields and better stewardship of the land through enhanced crop rotation. But the $10 million annually allocated for this program is not enough to ensure this program is successful.

The ``Farm Bill'' is called the farm bill for one reason--to address agricultural needs of our farmers and ranchers. However, the bill before us seems to forget the farmer and rural America--specifically at a time when many of them are facing difficult times.

I understand the financial constraints that we had to work on this bill. But in light of those constraints, significant funding increases were given to conservation and nutrition programs at the expense of production agrculture. Additionally, I oppose the last minute developments that have occurred to attach a provision to increase taxes to pay for some of these increases.

I strongly oppose these actions, they should not be in the Farm Bill, and overall it will hurt Americans.

I am also concerned over how this additional funding is being allocated. Specifically, $1.6 billion was specified for specialty crops--most of this money going to California--a state that is ranked 10th nationally in receiving federal subsidies. Additionally, $150 million was set aside in the bill for air pollution in California.

Secondly, conservation funding receives a $1.35 billion increase in funding. A significant amount of that money has been set aside for specific watersheds. In particular, the Chesapeake Bay Region is receiving $400 million alone for conservation programs for this watershed.

Historically, the Chesapeake Bay and other watersheds specified in the bill have received billions of dollars in the past for these efforts and should not be given special preference in this bill. Chesapeake Bay has received over $700 million annually for conservation programs addressing the watershed. Why do they need preference throughout the program when the rest of the nation is also addressing similar issues?

I am specifically concerned over the preference being given to several watersheds under the new Regional Water Enhancement Program. I was pleased that this new program was included in the bill--it is an issue very close and dear to my heart. I have been working on this legislation for several years and I am pleased that much of the language of my Farm Reservoir Act has been included in this program. This program will provide cost-share assistance to agricultural producers for projects like the construction of on-site reservoirs. It upsets me that specific watersheds were given priority consideration under this program.

Fortunately, an amendment during full mark-up was included to limit these watersheds in receiving no more than half of the funding. However, I believe that the Regional Water Enhancement Program should not be a place for ``earmarks'' but open to all regions of the country--all who are dealing with water issues that are important to their region.

For my part of the country, farmers in the Southeast are facing a devastating drought and farmers are faced with the loss of most--if not all--of their crops. Many ranchers are being forced to sell their herds since they have no feed for them. This program would help many of these farmers to build farm reservoirs that will help farmers during these difficult times and could help save many of their crops--a savings to taxpayers in the future in crop insurance and disaster payments.

Some would try and argue that my state is guilty of also receiving large subsidies that I have just spoken against. Many of you may be surprised to know that Alabama is in the bottom half of the nation in receiving federal subsidies--27th out of 50. I like to also point out that 72 percent of all farmers and ranchers in Alabama do not collect government subsidies.

These are the same farmers and ranchers that are struggling with severe drought conditions and are hoping for some federal assistance to help them get through these difficult times--whether through disaster payments or federal programs like the Regional Water Enhancement Act. However, a permanent disaster payment was not incorporated in this bill because there was not enough money.

All of the programs in the Farm Bill are important but to receive such a drastic increase while producers are struggling does not seem right. Claiming there is no money to include a permanent disaster payment program for farmers who face significant financial loss of crops due to natural disasters like hurricanes, drought, wild fires, disease, pests and tornadoes--is wrong!

I look forward to continually working with the Chairman and Ranking Member to address many of these concerns as we move forward.

Madam Speaker, during consideration of the Labor/HHS/ Education Appropriations Bill (H.R. 3043), I incorrectly voted no on the Pence Amendment. During the rapidity of voting on the series of 13 amendments to this bill, I mistakenly voted against Congressman Pence's amendment that would have prohibited funds in the bill from funding the Planned Parenthood Federation of America or any of its affiliates. It was my full intention to vote for this amendment, as I have been and continue to be a strong advocate of pro-life issues and legislation. My voting record makes it apparently clear that I have never wavered in my support of pro-life legislation. In closing, I fully support Congressman Pence's amendment to H.R. 3043, and I will continue to vote in favor of pro-life legislation as I have done throughout my 14 years in Congress.

Madam Chairman, I thank my good friend Mr. Hunter for yielding to me and thank him for his work and leadership on this legislation. And I would be remiss if I didn't thank the chairman of the committee, my good friend, the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton).

Madam Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 1585, the fiscal year 2008 National Defense Authorization Act. I would like to congratulate the chairman of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee, the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Tauscher), on her first mark as chairman. She has been cooperative and straightforward, and that I appreciate. The effort has resulted in a product where we agree on far more than we disagree.

This subcommittee tackles complex and often partisan issues, such as ballistic missile defense and nuclear weapons policy. This year's process has been further complicated due to the fact that our subcommittee allocation was cut by over $1 billion from the administration's request.

In the area of missile defense, the bill continues a policy set forth by this committee last year that places a priority on near-term missile defense capabilities. The bill increases the request for Patriot PAC-3 by $11.8 million to buy four additional interceptors and adds $78 million to the President's request for Aegis ballistic missile defense and fully funds the request for THAAD.

The measure also contains a reduction in funding for the proposed Third Site in Europe. I understand the chairman's rationale and her concern about moving forward without formal agreements with the host nations in place. However, I am pleased that my amendment was accepted during the full committee markup, which encourages DOD to seek a reprogramming request in the event that we reach agreements with the host nations in fiscal year 2008.

While I support most of the provisions in this legislation, like many on my side of the aisle, I remain concerned about the $776 million top- line cut levied on the Missile Defense Agency, especially when progress is being made in so many areas of these programs. Now is not the time to have a further reduction in funding or slow down the development and fielding of these missile defense elements that are critical to our Nation's defense and the protection of our deployed forces and allies.

In the time since last year's bill, we have seen a clear demonstration of the threat to our Nation, including North Korea's test of several short-range missiles and a longer-range Taepo-Dong-2 missile; Iran's continued development and test of short- and medium- range ballistic missiles; North Korea's nuclear test; and Iran's effort to continue uranium enrichment in the face of international criticism.

I understand the need to focus on near-term capabilities, but as we move the bill forward, we need to work together to identify the right balance between investments in our near-term systems and our future capabilities.

In the area of space, the legislation contains a provision I strongly support which places a priority on protecting our space assets and increases funding for space situational awareness and operationally responsive space capabilities. Consistent with previous bipartisan efforts to improve space acquisition, H.R. 1585 continues its emphasis on program execution. The bill reflects a measured approach to space acquisition that overlaps new modernization programs with continuing legacy programs.

H.R. 1585 fully funds Transformational Satellite, or TSAT, which has made significant progress in measuring and maturing critical technologies and following GAO's knowledge-based approach. It also supports Space Radar. Though the program details are classified, I believe Space Radar's all-weather, day-and-night, 24/7 surveillance and reconnaissance capability is vital for the protection of our forces and supporting intelligence users.

The measure reflects a bipartisan agreement on the Atomic Energy Defense Activities, particularly on RRW, the Reliable Replacement Warhead program. RRW has the potential to increase the reliability, safety, and security of our nuclear weapons stockpile and reduce the likelihood of testing. RRW funding is reduced but maintained at a level to allow NNSA to take a measured, knowledge-based approach by focusing on detailed design and cost estimates.

This is a good bill. We agree on more than we disagree, and I would urge Members on my side to support the bill.

Madam Chair, you know, you can attack this a number of ways. Basically what the proponents of this amendment say is that they simply don't like missile defense. I would like to go to where the gentleman from New Jersey and the chairman of the committee went.

There have been 27 successful kills; ground-based missile defense, 5 of 8; Aegis, 8 of 10; THAAD, 3 of 4; Predator, PAC-3, 11 of 14.

A key theme of our bill is we should not proceed with some missile defense programs without robust testing, but testing and systems engineering are always the first to go when cuts are levied on programs. How can you test without money?

I think that is a point of their amendment. They know you can't test without money, and they are against testing and against the missile defense system.

I urge a ``no'' vote on the amendment.