Congressional Record, Volume 142 Issue 87 (Thursday, June 13, 1996)

[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 87 (Thursday, June 13, 1996)]
[House]
[Pages H6333-H6341]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 1997

The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Hastings of Washington). Pursuant to
House Resolution 453 and rule XXIII, the Chair declares the House in
the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union for the
consideration of the bill, H.R. 3610.

{time} 1420

in the committee of the whole

Accordingly the House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole
House on the State of the Union for the consideration of the bill (H.R.
3610) making appropriations for the Department of Defense for the
fiscal year ending September 30, 1997, and for other purposes, with Mr.
Camp in the chair.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to the rule, the bill is considered as having
been read the first time.
Under the rule, the gentleman from Florida [Mr. Young] and the
gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. Murtha] each will control 30 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida [Mr. Young].
Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Chairman, I am very happy to present to the House what I think is
an excellent national defense appropriations bill. There will be those
who disagree with that statement, but I have to say this, that this
bill was created by Members of both parties in a bipartisan fashion and
the bill that we bring to the floor is agreed to by the vast majority
of the subcommittee and the full Committee on Appropriations.
We did this because of the tremendous cooperation that the Members
showed toward each other in dealing with the issues. And those issues
were decided based on the merit, based on whether or not they
contributed something to our national security, and based on whether or
not there actually was a requirement for what we included in the bill.
There was no question about who did it help politically or where did
it create jobs or not create jobs. The decisions were based on what is
good to provide for the security of this Nation, and our interests,
wherever they might be.
And not only the Members who are outstanding members of this
committee on both sides, I wanted to take just a minute and call
attention to those who serve us at the staff level, those staffers who
work here hours and hours late at night after we have done our work and
gone home.
And I want to point out Kevin Roper, for whom this Congress is his
first time as the chief clerk of this subcommittee and has done such an
outstanding job. His brain is like a computer. He is able to call up
information without any hesitation when he is called upon to do that.
John Plashal, Dave Kilian, Alicia Jones, Juliet Pacquing, Greg
Walters, Trish Keenan, Doug Gregory, Paul Juola, Tina Jonas, Steve
Nixon, Stacy Trimble; Paige Schreiner, who by the way is on maternity
leave, just having had a lovely new daughter; and Cynthia Hill, who was
a detailee from Navy; and Mr. Greg Dahlberg, who works as a partner
with Kevin Roper, who also is a tremendous asset to the work of this
subcommittee; and Carmen Scialabba, who is in Mr. Murtha's office.
These ladies and gentlemen have all made tremendous contributions to
helping this subcommittee do its work with the thousands and thousands
of items and thousands and thousands of decisions that we have make
during our markup.
Mr. Chairman, I wanted to say this: This bill that we present, we
started with the President's budget request. There are those who say
that, ``Well, you are a Republican Congress. When the President's
budget gets there, it is going to be dead on arrival.'' And we assured
them all that is not the case.
We worked in cooperation with the administration. We began with the
President's budget. We believed then, and we still believe, that it was
short in a number of areas; so we made some additions. But basically
and budget requested by the President is provided for in this bill.
But I will call to the attention of the Members some of the adds that
we included, but let me tell Members about the numbers. We began with a
602(b) allocation of $246.6 billion and we marked to that amount, and
we did the best we could to get the most for the money that we possibly
could. At that, based on real growth, counting for inflation, is
actually $4 billion under last year's bill.
By the time we got to the full committee, we had to make another $800
million reduction. So again we stood up to the plate, and we made that
$800 billion reduction based on what the leadership thought would be
the budget split between the House number and the Senate number.

Well, now we come to the floor, and that number is not low enough,
based on the budget resolution we passed yesterday. So we will have to
offer an amendment today that will cut an additional $500 million out
of this bill. and that amendment has been prepared with the cooperation
and work of all of the members of the subcommittee. By the time we
finish with that amendment, this bill will be down to $245.3 billion.
That is $4.7 billion under last year if we adjust for inflation, which
is the realistic thing to do, and it is $1.6 billion under the
authorized levels.
We have worked closely with the authorizers, with the chairman of the
Committee on National Security and with the chairman of the Permanent
Select Committee on Intelligence, to fashion this bill. We have worked
in lock step. We cannot provide everything that they authorize because
we do not have that much money available. But the bill we are going to
vote on today is very close to the bill that Members have already voted
in large numbers to support for the intelligence authorization bill and
as well as the national security authorization bill. As we get into the
amendments, we will then get into more debate about the bill.
Mr. Chairman, I submit the following tabular material for the Record:

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Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. MURTHA. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. POMEROY. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the fiscal year 1997
Department of Defense appropriations bill.
The bill before contains many valuable provisions that will enhance
the readiness of our Armed Forces and improve the quality of life for
the men and women who serve in our Nation's military. The 3 percent pay
raise for military personnel, the additional funding for medical care
for active duty members and military retirees, and the resources
dedicated to repair and upgrade substandard military barracks are three
important provisions that will strengthen troop morale and in turn
improve the combat readiness of our military.
I also take this opportunity to highlight two items in this bill that
are critically important to the Nation's defense and to my State of
North Dakota. First, this bill fully funds the Minuteman III life
extension/modernization program to preserve the viability and
reliability of our ICBM force well into the next century as recommended
by the Nuclear Posture Review. Second, the legislation maintains the
number of fighters assigned to the Nation's general purpose Air
National Guard fighter units at 15 Primary Assigned Aircraft. Given the
increasing reliance on the National Guard to defend our national
interest, it makes good sense to maintain current fighter force levels.
Mr. Chairman, I am disappointed that this bill does not include a
provision similar to Section 1302 of the fiscal year 1997 Defense
Authorization bill to strictly prohibit the retirement of B-52 bombers.
The B-52 remains our Nation's most combat capable bomber and should not
be prematurely retired as proposed by the administration. While I
understand that the Appropriation bill provision may suffice in
blocking the retirement of B-52s, I am hopeful and confident that the
final Defense Appropriations will include a similar provision.
Finally, Mr. Chairman, I do have concern regarding the $10.2 billion
increase this bill provides over and above the Pentagon's request. I
voted in favor of both the Schroeder and the Shays amendments to reduce
bill's funding and make it more consistent with our effort to balance
the Federal budget. Although I am disappointed that these amendments
failed, I will support passage of the bill because, in the final
analysis, it fulfills an important commitment to our troops and the
Nation's defense.
I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
Mr. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 3610, the
National Security Appropriations bill, and to thank my friend and
colleague from the great State of Florida, Chairman Bill Young, for all
his good work on this bill that is so important to U.S. interests at
home and abroad.
Defense spending, adjusted for inflation, has been cut each and every
year since 1985. Despite this decline, the President's budget called
for a $10 billion cut in fiscal year 1997. During testimony before the
House Committee on National Security, all of the Joint Chiefs have
suggested the President's budget was not adequate to address the needs
of our national defense.
Mr. Chairman, H.R. 3610 provides the funds needed to ensure that we
have the best equipped troops in the world prepared to defend our
Nation. Chairman Young has made great strides at increasing military
readiness by increasing the quality of life for our troops. The world
remains a dangerous place at the same time the U.S. force structure has
hit its lowest level in 50 years. The frequent deployment of our troops
has created many problems for our soldiers and their families. To
address this situation, this bill provides a needed 3 percent pay raise
for the brave men and women who have volunteered to defend our Nation.
Another important issue addressed in this bill is the need to
maintain adequate health care for our soldiers. By adding $475 million
to the President's request for defense health care, we are insuring
that our troops will be ready for whatever mission might surface. If
this House had not supported a higher level of health care funding, the
services would have had to make deep reductions in the medical care we
promised our service members.
This bill also adds $400 million for the repair and upgrade of
military barracks. Two-thirds of this housing is currently rated by the
DOD as substandard. This is an important component of maintaining a
high level of readiness for our Armed Forces. Our sailors and soldiers
make many personal sacrifices to provide for our Nation's defense. We
owe it to them to provide a decent place for these men and women and
their families to live.
H.R. 3610 also addresses the concerns of the Joint Chiefs by adding
necessary funds for the weapons procurement needs identified by our
field commanders. The Joint Chiefs and the Chairman know that funding
for weapons procurement has declined by nearly 75 percent in real terms
over the past 11 years. With a smaller force structure, our troops will
have an even greater need for the most modern and capable weapons
available. This bill ensures that our troops will be equipped with
these weapons.
I will gladly support this bill and urge my colleagues to do the
same. Again, thank you, Mr. Chairman, for your hard work on this bill
that balances the need for a fiscally sound defense program with the
needs our men and women who serve our great Nation. Your work is truly
appreciated.
Mr. MONTGOMERY. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 3610, and
particularly want to commend the Committee for including funds for
cooperative DOD/VA medical research. In providing $25 million in
funding for this important activity, the Committee is helping foster
valuable research that serves not only our active duty personnel, but
veterans as well.
These moneys will help fund research into such areas as combat
casualty care, Persian Gulf veterans' illnesses, and post-traumatic
stress disorder.
Members may not be fully aware of the kind of bang Congress and the
Nation have gotten from putting bucks into VA research. By way of
example, the contributions VA research program has given us over the
years include such developments as:
Surgical transplanting of kidneys using drugs to suppress organ
rejection; an artificial foot that allows amputees to jog and play
sports; drugs for the treatment of diseases including tuberculosis; and
a taking computer for the blind.
The military and this Nation will benefit by providing funds that
encourage cooperative VA and DOD research efforts.
Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my
time.
The CHAIRMAN. All time for general debate has expired.
Pursuant to the rule, the bill shall be considered for amendment
under the 5-minute rule.
Before consideration of any other amendment, it shall be in order to
consider the amendment printed in House Report 104-619 if offered by
the gentleman from Florida [Mr. Young] or his designee. That amendment
shall be considered read, may amend portions of the bill not yet read
for amendment, shall be debatable for 20 minutes, equally divided and
controlled by the proponent and an opponent, shall not be subject to
amendment, and shall not be subject to a demand for division of the
question.
If that amendment is adopted, the bill, as amended, shall be
considered as an original bill for the purpose of further amendment.
During consideration of the bill for amendment, the Chair may accord
priority in recognition to a Member offering an amendment that he has
printed in the designated place in the Congressional Record. Those
amendments will be considered read.
The Chairman of the Committee of the Whole may postpone until a time
during further consideration in the Committee of the Whole a request
for a recorded vote on any amendment and may reduce to not less that 5
minutes the time for voting by electronic device on any postponed
question that immediately follows another vote by electronic device
without intervening business, provided that the time for voting by
electronic device on the first in any series of questions shall not be
less than 15 minutes.
After the reading of the final lines of the bill, a motion that the
Committee of the Whole rise and report the bill to the House with such
amendments as may have been adopted shall, if offered by the majority
leader or a designee, have precedence over a motion to amend.

amendment offered by mr. young of florida

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment made in
order by the rule.
The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:

Amendment offered by Mr. Young of Florida: On page 17, line
9, strike ``$1,044,767,000'' and insert ``$988,567,000''.
On page 17, line 10, strike all after ``1999'' through the
end of line 12, except the period.
On page 22, line 6, strike ``$4,719,930,000'' and insert
``$4,469,930,000''.
On page 24, line 17, strike ``$7,326,628,000'' and insert
``$7,274,628,000''.
On page 24, line 19, strike ``$54,700,000'' and insert
``$2,700,000''.
On page 29, line 10, strike ``$14,969,573,000'' and insert
``$14,869,573,000''.
On page 29, line 15, strike ``$1,698,486,000'' and insert
``$1,598,486,000''.

[[Page H6338]]

On page 82, line 6, strike ``$350,000,000''' and insert
``$400,000,000''.
On page 82, line 11, strike ``$226,400,000'' and insert
``$276,400,000''.

The CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Florida [Mr.
Young] and a Member opposed will each control 10 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida [Mr. Young].
Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Chairman, as I explained during general debate, in order to
conform this bill to the budget resolution that was adopted yesterday
in the House, it was necessary to cut another $500 million, actually
$508 million, over a half billion, from this bill, and that is the
purpose of the amendment that I just offered, and I will submit a
statement that will explain in detail how we had to arrive at this
point. But I wanted to point out for the Record so that it would be
clear exactly what it is that we are doing so that no one has any
questions.
We have reduced the MLRS launcher line by $56.2 million. That leaves
an increase over the budget of $10 million. We eliminate, basically
eliminate the TAGS ship. We leave $4 million in that account but we
take $50 million. The third Seawolf, we reduce by $100 million. That
still leaves $599 million in the budget. The new attack submarine
program line, we have reduced by $100 million; that still leaves $704
million in that account.

{time} 1430

The C-130, the airborne command and control version of that aircraft,
we would eliminate one that we had added. That is $52 million. And then
we have a classified item that we are not able to discuss on the floor
but those Members cleared for the information are aware of it. That is
another $100 million cut. That comes to $508 million. I would hope that
we could expedite the consideration of this amendment. It is necessary
to conform this bill to the budget request or to the budget resolution
as passed.
Mr. Chairman, pursuant to the rule, I send to the desk an amendment
made in order by the rule.
Mr. Chairman, as I explained during general debate, in order to
conform this bill to the conference agreement on the budget resolution,
it is necessary to cut the funds in this bill by an additional $500
million.
That is the purpose of the amendment I just offered--to bring this
bill in line with the budget resolution.
In the budget resolution process, the House originally recommended a
total for Defense which was $1.6 billion higher than the Senate.
The House position was higher. And when we passed the Defense
authorization bill 4 weeks ago, that bill was marked to the higher
House level.
And when we marked up this bill, we also went to the original House-
passed level.
We brought this bill to the full Appropriations Committee last week.
Based on tentative discussions in the budget conference, we were led to
believe the House and Senate would split the difference in the defense
number. That meant the House number would come down by $800 million.
So in full committee, I offered an amendment which cut our
subcommittee bill by $800 million.
So the bill before the House right now is already $800 million under
our original target.
But when the final budget agreement was reached, it turns out we did
not get a split, we went all the way to the lower Senate figure.
That means we have to cut this bill, again.
So, I find myself in the somewhat awkward position of offering this
amendment.
For those of you who know me, I think if you had approached me a few
years ago, or even a few weeks ago, and said Bill, we want you to offer
amendments to cut your committee's Defense appropriations bill by $1.3
billion, I probably would have told you not on your life.
Our subcommittee wrote a good bill. Floyd Spence, and his committee,
and Larry Combest and the Intelligence Committee, they wrote good
bills.
We are trying to take care of the troops and their families. We are
trying to make sure our personnel have the best equipment, the best
training, the best intelligence to do their jobs around the world.

So when as chairman of this subcommittee, I get the pleasure of
trying to find $1.3 billion in cuts to what we thought was a pretty
good Defense appropriations bill, it is not a job I enjoy.
But we all have to deal with the hand we have been dealt. So here we
are, cutting half a billion dollars out of the Defense bill.
Finding this money has not been easy. We have been working over a
week to come up with a balanced package, one that does not do
irreparable harm.
And when I say we, I mean myself and our ranking minority member, Mr.
Murtha. I worked with Mr. Murtha from the start on this. We went back
and forth, and believe me, neither of us enjoyed it because we had to
make some tough decisions. Everybody had to give something.
We also ran this past our subcommittee, getting their input as well
as the members of the committee.
So this is not a perfect amendment, but it is one we tried to develop
on a bipartisan basis, one that was fair and that did the least harm.
This amendment cuts a total of $508.2 million.
We propose cutting $50 million out of excess spare parts inventories.
This a cut we found based on audit work done at the Pentagon that shows
in certain instances we have overbudgeted for spare parts.
That was the easy one. To find the other $458 million, we had to cut,
or trim back, money we recommended in modernization programs, each one
important to the services.
The amendment cuts $56.2 million from Army missile procurement, which
we recommend to come from the total in the bill for MLRS launchers.
We originally proposed an add over the President's budget of $66.2
million--we would cut that back by $56 million.
We take out $52 million from Air Force aircraft procurement, that
being for one airborne command, control, and communications aircraft--
or A-B-Triple C.
This was on the Air Force shortfall list, as a top unfunded item. We
originally added funds for three A-B-Triple C's, but the amendment
takes out money for one of the three.
Navy shipbuilding--there would be a reduction of $250 million.
This comes in three pieces.
Fifty million dollars is from an oceanographic ship, the TAGS ship.
Again, this was on the Navy's shortfall list so we had $54 million in
the bill. We take out $50 million in the amendment, which leaves $4
million which could be used with money we provided last year for long-
lead purchases needed to build a TAGS ship.
One hundred million dollars comes from the new attack submarine line.
Right now the bill has $800 million for the new attack submarine,
providing long lead money for the first sub, which is being built in
Groton, CT, and the second sub which will be done at Newport News, VA.
The amendment cuts this back by $100 million. It does not specify
which sub it will come out of. This leaves $700 million, still an
increase of $404 million over the budget which we think is enough to
keep this program underway.
And the final shipbuilding piece comes from the SSN-23, the third
Seawolf.
Before this year, we had appropriated $1.6 billion for the third
Seawolf.
The budget for this year requested $699 million. The last increment
for the Seawolf is budgeted for next year, at $100 million for a total
cost of $2.4 billion.
We think we can take $100 million out from the $699 million in the
bill, without really disrupting the program.
Most of the money in the request this year is for Government-
furnished equipment, or GFE, which means components like pumps and
valves, and electronics. These go into the submarine after it is
basically built and so we think taking this money out will not really
impact the construction schedule.
That brings us to one last item, a $100 million reduction in Air
Force research and development.
This is for classified activities, and I'm constrained from
describing what this is because of the sensitivity of the issues.
Let me just say the bill had recommended additions over the budget to
accelerate certain activities. This reduction of $100 million will not
stop this effort, and in fact still allows these projects to move out.
On all these items, we know we may need to make adjustments down the
line and I expect if we have taken out too much we will have another
chance to deal with them in conference.

That's our proposal, a $508.2 million cut.
If adopted, this would bring the bill down to a total of $245.3
billion.
This level is significantly less than last year, if you adjust for
inflation.
We would be 2 percent less than fiscal year 1996, or about $4.7
billion less than 1996 when adjusted for inflation.
In fact, if this amendment is adopted, we will be at a level which
you could consider as being below the 1996 enacted level, if you back
out the pay raise and the extra $475 million for medical care we have
in the bill to restore the cuts for medical care proposed by the
President.

[[Page H6339]]

I mention all this because you will hear throughout the debate today
that this bill is over last year's level--and you will be asked to vote
on any number of cutting amendments to bring the bill down even
further.
I want to say again--if you vote for this amendment, then we will be
nearly $5 billion less than last year, adjusting for inflation. The DOD
will be asked to operate with $4.7 billion less in terms of buying
power. This will be the twelfth straight year Defense budgets will have
lost ground.
And we will actually be below a hard freeze, if you give us credit
for the pay raise and the medical funding in the bill.
The CHAIRMAN. Does any Member seek time in opposition to the
amendment?
Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my
time.
The CHAIRMAN. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Florida [Mr. Young].
The question was taken; and the Chairman announced that the ayes
appeared to have it.
Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.
The CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to the rule, further proceedings on the
amendment offered by the gentleman from Florida [Mr.Young] will be
postponed.
The Clerk will read.
The Clerk read as follows:

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the
following sums are appropriated, out of any money in the
Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the fiscal year
ending September 30, 1997, for military functions
administered by the Department of Defense, and for other
purposes, namely:

TITLE I

MILITARY PERSONNEL

Military Personnel, Army

For pay, allowances, individual clothing, subsistence,
interest on deposits, gratuities, permanent change of station
travel (including all expenses thereof for organizational
movements), and expenses of temporary duty travel between
permanent duty stations, for members of the Army on active
duty (except members of reserve components provided for
elsewhere), cadets, and aviation cadets; and for payments
pursuant to section 156 of Public Law 97-377, as amended (42
U.S.C. 402 note), to section 229(b) of the Social Security
Act (42 U.S.C. 429(b)), and to the Department of Defense
Military Retirement Fund; $20,692,838,000.

Military Personnel, Navy

For pay, allowances, individual clothing, subsistence,
interest on deposits, gratuities, permanent change of station
travel (including all expenses thereof for organizational
movements), and expenses of temporary duty travel between
permanent duty stations, for members of the Navy on active
duty (except members of the Reserve provided for elsewhere),
midshipmen, and aviation cadets; and for payments pursuant to
section 156 of Public Law 97-377, as amended (42 U.S.C. 402
note), to section 229(b) of the Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. 429(b)), and to the Department of Defense Military
Retirement Fund; $17,000,856,000.

Military Personnel, Marine Corps

For pay, allowances, individual clothing, subsistence,
interest on deposits, gratuities, permanent change of station
travel (including all expenses thereof for organizational
movements), and expenses of temporary duty travel between
permanent duty stations, for members of the Marine Corps on
active duty (except members of the Reserve provided for
elsewhere); and for payments pursuant to section 156 of
Public Law 97-377, as amended (42 U.S.C. 402 note), to
section 229(b) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 429(b)),
and to the Department of Defense Military Retirement Fund;
$6,103,808,000.

Military Personnel, Air Force

For pay, allowances, individual clothing, subsistence,
interest on deposits, gratuities, permanent change of station
travel (including all expenses thereof for organizational
movements), and expenses for temporary duty travel between
permanent duty stations, for members of the Air Force on
active duty (except members of reserve components provided
for elsewhere), cadets, and aviation cadets; and for payments
pursuant to section 156 of public Law 97-377, as amended (42
U.S.C. 402 note), to section 229(b) of the Social Security
Act (42 U.S.C.(b)), and to the Department of Defense Military
Retirement Fund; $17,099,550,000.

Reserve Personnel Army

For pay, allowances, clothing, subsistence, gratuities,
travel, and related expenses for personnel of the Army
Reserve on active duty under sections 10211, 10302, and 3038
of title 10, United States Code, or while serving on active
duty under section 12301(d) of title 10, United States Code,
or while serving on active duty under section 12301(d) of
title 10, United States Code, in connection with performing
duty specified in section 12310(a) of title 10, United States
Code, or while undergoing reserve training, or while
performing drills or equivalent duty or other duty, and for
members of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps, and expenses
authorized by section 16131 of title 10, United States Code;
and for payments to the Department of Defense Military
Retirement Fund; $2,083,379,000.

Reserve Personnel, Navy

For pay, allowances, clothing, subsistence, gratuities,
travel, and related expenses for personnel of the Navy
Reserve on active duty under section 10211 of title 10,
United States Code, or while serving on active duty under
section 12301(d) of title 10, United States Code, in
connection with performing duty specified in section 12310(a)
of title 10, United States Code, or while undergoing reserve
training, or while performing drills or equivalent duty, and
for members of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps, and
expenses authorized by section 16131 of title 10, United
States Code; and for payments to the Department of Defense
Military Retirement Fund; $1,392,406,000.

Reserve Personnel, Marine Corps

For pay, allowances, clothing, subsistence, gratuities,
travel, and related expenses for personnel of the Marine
Corps Reserve on active duty under section 10211 of title 10,
United States Code, or while serving on active duty under
section 12301(d) of title 10, United States Code, in
connection with performing duty specified in section 12310(a)
of title 10, United States Code, or while undergoing reserve
training, or while performing drills or equivalent duty, and
for members of the Marine Corps platoon leaders class, and
expenses authorized by section 16131 to title 10, United
States Code; and for payments to the Department of Defense
Military Retirement Fund; $387,943,000.

Reserve Personnel, Air Force

For pay, allowances, clothing, subsistence, gratuities,
travel, and related expenses for personnel of the Air Force
Reserve on active duty under sections 10211, 10305, and 8038
of title 10, United States code, or while serving on active
duty under section 12301(d) of title 10, United States
Code, in connection with performing duty specified in
section 12310(a) of title 10, United States Code, or while
undergoing reserve training, or while performing drills or
equivalent duty or other duty, and for members of the Air
Reserve Officers' Training Corps, and expenses authorized
by section 16131 of title 10, United States Code; and for
payments to the Department of Defense Military Retirement
Fund; $780,497,000.

National Guard Personnel, Army

For pay, allowances, clothing, subsistence, gratuities,
travel, and related expenses for personnel of the Army
National Guard while on duty under section 10211, 10302, or
12402 of title 10 or section 708 of title 32, United States
Code, or while serving on duty under section 12301(d) of
title 10 or section 502(f) of title 32, United States Code,
in connection with performing duty specified in section
12310(a) of title 10, United States Code, or while undergoing
training, or while performing drills or equivalent duty or
other duty, and expenses authorized by section 16131 of title
10, United States Code; and for payments to the Department of
Defense Military Retirement Fund; $3,279,393,000.

National Guard Personnel, Air Force

For pay, allowances, clothing, subsistence, gratuities,
travel, and related expenses for personnel of the Air
National Guard on duty under section 10211, 10305, or 12402
of title 10 or section 708 of title 32, United States Code,
or while serving on duty under section 12301(d) of title 10
or section 502(f) of title 32, United States Code, in
connection with performing duty specified in section 12310(a)
of title 10, United States Code, or while undergoing
training, or while performing drills or equivalent duty or
other duty, and expenses authorized by section 16131 of title
10, United States Code; and for payments to the Department of
Defense Military Retirement Fund; $1,294,490,000.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida (during the reading). Mr. Chairman, I ask
unanimous consent that title I of the bill be considered as read,
printed in the Record, and open to amendment at any point.
The CHAIRMAN. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from
Florida?
There was no objection.
The CHAIRMAN. Are there any amendments to title I?
If not, the Clerk will read.
The Clerk read as follows:

TITLE II

OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE

Operation and Maintenance, Army

(including transfer of funds)

For expenses, not otherwise provided for, necessary for the
operation and maintenance of the Army, as authorized by law;
and not to exceed $11,437,000 can be used for emergencies and
extraordinary expenses, to be expended on the approval or
authority of the Secretary of the Army, and payments may be
made on his certificate of necessity for confidential
military purposes; $18,365,679,000 and, in addition,
$50,000,000 shall be derived by transfer from the National
Defense Stockpile Transaction Fund: Provided, That of the
funds appropriated in this paragraph, not less than
$300,000,000 shall be made available only for conventional
ammunition care and maintenance: Provided further, That of
the funds appropriated in this paragraph,

[[Page H6340]]

$12,084,000 shall not be obligated or expended until
authorized by law.

Operation and Maintenance, Navy

(including transfer of funds)

For expenses, not otherwise provided for, necessary for the
operation and maintenance of the Navy and the Marine Corps,
as authorized by law; and not to exceed $3,995,000, can be
used for emergencies and extraordinary expenses, to be
expended on the approval or authority of the Secretary of the
Navy, and payments may be made on his certificate of
necessity for confidential military purposes; $20,390,397,000
and, in addition, $50,000,000 shall be derived by transfer
from the National Defense Stockpile Transaction Fund:
Provided, That of the funds appropriated in this paragraph,
$39,933,000 shall not be obligated or expended until
authorized by law.

Operation and Maintenance, Marine Corps

For expenses, not otherwise provided for, necessary for the
operation and maintenance of the Marine Corps, as authorized
by law; $2,465,077,000.

Operation and Maintenance, Air Force

(including transfer of funds)

For expenses, not otherwise provided for, necessary for the
operation and maintenance of the Air Force, as authorized by
law; and not to exceed $8,362,000 can be used for emergencies
and extraordinary expenses, to be expended on the approval or
authority of the Secretary of the Air Force, and payments may
be made on his certificate of necessity for confidential
military purposes; $17,938,755,000 and, in addition,
$50,000,000 shall be derived by transfer from the National
Defense Stockpile Transaction Fund: Provided, That of the
funds appropriated in this paragraph, $39,133,000 shall not
be obligated or expended until authorized by law.

Operation and Maintenance, Defense-Wide

For expenses, not otherwise provided for, necessary for the
operation and maintenance of activities and agencies of the
Department of Defense (other than the military departments),
as authorized by law; $10,212,985,000, of which not to exceed
$25,000,000 may be available for the CINC initiative fund
account; and of which not to exceed $28,500,000 can be used
for emergencies and extraordinary expenses, to be expended
on the approval or authority of the Secretary of Defense,
and payments may be made on his certificate of necessity
for confidential military purposes.

Operation and Maintenance, Army Reserve

For expenses, not otherwise provided for, necessary for the
operation and maintenance, including training, organization,
and administration, of the Army Reserve; repair of facilities
and equipment; hire of passenger motor vehicles; travel and
transportation; care of the dead; recruiting; procurement of
services, supplies, and equipment; and communications;
$1,116,436,000.

Operation and Maintenance, Navy Reserve

Operation and Maintenance, Marine Corps Reserve

For expenses, not otherwise provided for, necessary for the
operation and maintenance, including training, organization,
and administration, of the Marine Corps Reserve; repair of
facilities and equipment; hire of passenger motor vehicles;
travel and transportation; care of the dead; recruiting;
procurement of services, supplies, and equipment; and
communications; $108,467,000: Provided, That of the funds
appropriated in this paragraph, $2,000,000 shall not be
obligated or expended until authorized by law.

Operation and Maintenance, Air Force Reserve

For expenses, not otherwise provided for, necessary for the
operation and maintenance, including training, organization,
and administration, of the Air Force Reserve; repair of
facilities and equipment; hire of passenger motor vehicles;
travel and transportation; care of the dead; recruiting;
procurement of services, supplies, and equipment; and
communications; $1,491,553,000.

Operation and Maintenance, Army National Guard

For expenses of training, organizing, and administering the
Army National Guard, including medical and hospital treatment
and related expenses in non-Federal hospitals; maintenance,
operation, and repairs to structures and facilities; hire of
passenger motor vehicles; personnel services in the National
Guard Bureau; travel expenses (other than mileage), as
authorized by law for Army personnel on active duty, for Army
National Guard division, regimental, and battalion commanders
while inspecting units in compliance with National Guard
Bureau regulations when specifically authorized by the Chief,
National Guard Bureau; supplying and equipping the Army
National Guard as authorized by law; and expenses of repair,
modification, maintenance, and issue of supplies and
equipment (including aircraft); $2,268,477,000.

Operation and Maintenance, Air National Guard

For operation and maintenance of the Air National Guard,
including medical and hospital treatment and related expenses
in non-Federal hospitals; maintenance, operation, repair, and
other necessary expenses of facilities for the training and
administration of the Air National Guard, including repair of
facilities, maintenance, operation, and modification of
aircraft; transportation of things; hire of passenger motor
vehicles; supplies, materials, and equipment, as authorized
by law for the Air National Guard; and expenses incident to
the maintenance and use of supplies, materials, and
equipment, including such as may be furnished from stocks
under the control of agencies of the Department of Defense;
travel expenses (other than mileage) on the same basis as
authorized by law for Air National Guard personnel on active
Federal duty, for Air National Guard commanders while
inspecting units in compliance with National Guard Bureau
regulations when specifically authorized by the Chief,
National Guard Bureau; $2,671,373,000.

United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces

For salaries and expenses necessary for the United States
Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces; $6,797,000, of which
not to exceed $2,500 can be used for official representation
purposes.

Environmental Restoration, Defense

(including transfer of funds)

For the Department of Defense; $1,333,016,000, to remain
available until transferred: Provided, That the Secretary of
Defense shall, upon determining that such funds are required
for environmental restoration, reduction and recycling of
hazardous waste, removal of unsafe buildings and debris of
the Department of Defense, or for similar purposes (including
programs and operations at sites formerly used by the
Department of Defense), transfer the funds made available by
this appropriation to other appropriations made available to
the Department of Defense, as the Secretary may designate, to
be merged with and to be available for the same purposes and
for the same time periods as the appropriations of funds
to which transferred: Provided further, That upon a
determination that all or part of the funds transferred
from this appropriation are not necessary for the purposes
provided herein, such amounts may be transferred back to
this appropriation.

Overseas Humanitarian, Disaster, and Civic Aid

For expenses relating to the Overseas Humanitarian,
Disaster, and Civic Aid programs of the Department of Defense
(consisting of the programs provided under sections 401, 402,
404, 2547, and 2551 of title 10, United States Code);
$60,544,000, to remain available until September 30, 1998.

Former Soviet Union Threat Reduction

For assistance to the republics of the former Soviet Union,
including assistance provided by contract or by grants, for
facilitating the elimination and the safe and secure
transportation and storage of nuclear, chemical and other
weapons; for establishing programs to prevent the
proliferation of weapons, weapons components, and weapon-
related technology and expertise; for programs relating to
the training and support of defense and military personnel
for demilitarization and protection of weapons, weapons
components and weapons technology and expertise;
$302,900,000, to remain available for obligation until
September 30, 1999.

QUALITY OF LIFE ENHANCEMENTS, DEFENSE

(including transfer of funds)

For expenses, not otherwise provided for, resulting from
unfunded shortfalls in medical programs and the repair and
maintenance of real property of the Department of Defense
(including military housing and barracks); $975,000,000, of
which--
(1) $475,000,000 shall be transferred to funds made
available under the heading ``Defense Health Program'' in
title VI of this Act and be available for operation and
maintenance; and
(2) $500,000,000 shall be available for the maintenance of
real property of the Department of Defense (including minor
construction and major maintenance and repair) and shall
remain available for obligation until September 30, 1998, as
follows:
Army, $165,000,000;
Navy, $75,000,000;
Marine Corps, $40,000,000;
Air Force, $120,000,000;
Army Reserve, $20,000,000;
Navy Reserve, $20,000,000;
Marine Corps Reserve, $2,000,000;
Air Force Reserve, $16,000,000;
Army National Guard, $29,000,000; and
Air National Guard, $13,000,000.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida (during the reading). Mr. Chairman, I ask
unanimous consent that title II be considered as read, printed in the
Record, and open to amendment at any point.
The CHAIRMAN. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from
Florida?
There was no objection.

Amendment Offered by Ms. Furse

Ms. FURSE. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

[[Page H6341]]

The Clerk read as follows:

Amendment offered by Ms. Furse: At the end of title II
(page 16, after line 3), add the following new paragraph:

Reduction of Funds

Amounts appropriated in other paragraphs of this title are
hereby reduced as follows:
From Operation and Maintenance, Army, $12,950,000.
From Operation and Maintenance, Navy, $3,500,000.
From Operation and Maintenance, Marine Corps, $1,750,000.
From Operation and Maintenance, Air Force, $7,700,000.
From Operation and Maintenance, Defense-Wide, $9,100,000.

Mr. MURTHA (during the reading). Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous
consent that the amendment be considered as read and printed in the
Record.
The CHAIRMAN. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from
Pennsylvania?
There was no objection.
Ms. FURSE. Mr. Chairman, I am just going to thank the chairman and
the ranking member for accepting the amendment. I will not take any
more of the time.
Mr. Chairman, I rise to offer an amendment that makes sense for the
U.S. taxpayer and that makes sense for our military transportation
system. First, however, I want to express my appreciation for the
excellent leadership of Chairman Young and Ranking Member Murtha. Their
collegiality is the hallmark of this fine institution in which we work.
My amendment reduces funding for USTRANSCOM--the transportation
command--by an additional $35 million. It will cut out layers of
unnecessary wasteful bureaucracy so that the Department of Defense
transportation system can operate more efficiently and adopt practices
more similar to those utilized in the private sector.
The U.S. Transportation Command budget is estimated at $4 billion for
fiscal year 1997. The General Accounting Office recommended reducing
that budget in order to encourage making needed organizational changes.
Our defense transportation costs are much higher than necessary. The
Department of Defense frequently pays double or triple the cost of the
basic transportation, ocean freight, for example, because of redundant
bureaucratic structures.
DOD's transportation system is organized in substantially the same
way it was more than a decade ago before the era of containerization.
Containers are a much more efficient means of moving cargo
intermodally--a container can be trucked overland, shipped across the
ocean and then trucked to its ultimate destination without being
unpacked at transfer points.
Mr. Chairman, my State of Oregon that is perched on the Pacific rim
knows about trade. Our industries know how to move our products around
the world in an efficient manner. I know that we can create a seamless,
intemodal transportation system that best serves our national security
needs. DOD has begun to make some efforts in that direction, but I
believe organizational changes are needed in order to achieve real
savings.
I urge support for my amendment which will build upon the outstanding
work of the subcommittee in implementing those changes.
The CHAIRMAN. The Committee will rise informally in order that the
House may receive a message.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. McCrery) assumed the chair.

____________________