[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 91 (Friday, July 14, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6832-S6834]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2001

  Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, I rise today in support of S. 2549, the 
National Defense Authorization Act for FY2001. Included in the bill 
that passed today are several amendments that will significantly 
improve the lives of active duty members, reservists, military 
retirees, veterans, and their families.
  These amendments greatly improved the version of the bill that came 
out of the Armed Services Committee. I had voted against reporting the 
bill out of the Committee because it did not include important measures 
for military personnel and neglected the issue of defense reform.
  The critical amendments that were included in the legislation that 
passed today will: remove servicemembers from food stamps; increase pay 
for mid-grade Petty Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers; assist 
disabled veterans in claims processing; restore retirement pay for 
disabled military retirees; provide survivor benefit plan enhancements; 
authorize a low-cost life insurance plan for spouses and their 
children; enhance benefits and retirement pay for Reservists and 
National Guardsmen; authorize back-pay for certain WWII Navy and Marine 
Corps Prisoners of War; and provide for significant acquisition reform 
by eliminating domestic source restrictions on the procurement of 
shipyard cranes.
  One of the areas of greatest concern among military retirees and 
their families is the ``broken promise'' of lifetime medical care, 
especially for those over age 65. While the Committee had included some 
key health care provisions, it failed to meet the most important 
requirement, the restoration of this broken promise.
  With severe recruitment and retention problems still looming, we must 
better compensate our mid-grade enlisted servicemembers who are 
critical to leading the junior enlisted force. We have significantly 
underpaid enlisted servicemembers since the beginning of the All-
Volunteer Force. The value of the mid-grade NCO pay, compared to that 
of the most junior enlisted, has dropped 50% since the All-Volunteer 
Force was enacted by Congress in 1973. This pay provision for the mid-
grade enlisted ranks, up to $700 per year, plus the food stamp pay 
provision of an additional $180 per month for junior enlisted 
servicemembers, provides a significant increase in pay for enlisted 
servicemembers.
  The National Guard and Reserves have become a larger percentage of 
the Total Force and are essential partners in a wide range of military 
operations. Due to the higher deployment rates of the active duty 
forces, the Reserve Components are being called upon more frequently 
and for longer periods of time than ever before. We must stop treating 
them like a ``second-class'' force.
  I would like to emphasize the importance of enacting meaningful 
improvements for our servicemembers, their families and their 
survivors. They risk their lives to protect our freedom and preserve 
democracy. We should compensate them adequately, improve the benefits 
to their families and survivors, and enhance the quality of life for 
the Reserves and National Guard in a similar manner as the active 
forces.
  Each year the number of disabled veterans appealing their health care 
cases continues to increase. It is Congress' duty to ensure that the 
disability claims process is less complex, less burdensome, and more 
efficient. Likewise, we should restore retirement pay for disabled 
military retirees.
  I would also like to point out that this year's defense authorization 
bill contained over $1.9 billion in pork-- unrequested add-ons to the 
defense

[[Page S6833]]

budget that robs our military of vital funding on priority issues. 
While this year's total is less than previous years' it is still $1.9 
billion too much. We need to, and can do better. I ask that the 
detailed list of pork on this bill be included in the Congressional 
Record following my remarks.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  (See Exhibit 1.)
  Mr. McCAIN. In conclusion, I would like to emphasize the importance 
of enacting meaningful improvements for active duty and Reserve 
members. They risked their lives to defend our shores and preserve 
democracy and we can not thank them enough for their service. But we 
can pay them more, improve the benefits for their families, and support 
the Reserve Components in a similar manner as the active forces.
  We must ensure that the critical amendments that I have outlined 
survive the Conference process and are enacted into law. Our 
servicemembers past, present, and future need these improvements, and 
the bill that we passed today is just one step on the road to reform.

                               Exhibit 1

  DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT (S. 2549) FOR FY2001 ADD-ONS, INCREASES AND
                                EARMARKS
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Dollars
                                                                  (in
                                                               millions)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          TITLE I, PROCUREMENT
 
Army Procurement (none)
Navy Procurement:
  Airborne Low Frequency Sonar (ALFS)........................          6
  Allegany Ballistics Lab GOCO...............................        7.7
  LHD-8 Advanced Procurement.................................         46
  Adv Procurement DDG 51.....................................         79
  MSC Thermal Imaging Equipment..............................          4
  Integrated Condition Assessment System (ICAS)..............          5
  Side-Scan Sonar............................................          5
  Joint Engineering Data Management & Info Control (JEDMICS).          4
  AN/SPQ-9B Gun Fire Control Radar...........................          4
  NULKA Anti-Ship Missile Decoy..............................        4.3
Marine Corps Procurement: Improved Night/Day Fire Control            2.7
 Observation Device (INOD)...................................
Air Force Procurement:
  C-17 Cockpit System Simulation.............................       14.9
  C-17 A/C Maintenance System Trainer (AMST).................       11.5
  Combat Training Ranges.....................................         20
 
                         TITLE II R, D, T, and E
 
Army R, D, T & E:
  Composite Materials........................................          6
  Advanced missile composite component.......................          5
  Ballistics Technology......................................        3.5
  Portable Hybrid Electric Power Research....................        1.5
  Thermoelectric Power Generation for Military Applications..          1
  Operational Support........................................          4
  Equipment Readiness........................................          8
  Fuel Cell Auxiliary Power Units............................          4
  Enabling Technologies for Future Combat Vehicle............       46.3
  Big Crow...................................................          7
  Simulation Centers Upgrades................................        4.5
  Family of Systems Simulators...............................          3
  Army Space Control.........................................          5
  Acoustic Technology........................................          4
  Radar Power Technology.....................................          4
  Scramjet Acoustic Combustion Enhance.......................          2
  Aero-Acoustic Instrumentation..............................          4
  Supercluster distributed Memory............................          2
  SMDC Battlelab.............................................          5
  Anti-malaria Research......................................          2
  SIRFC/ATIRCM...............................................       38.5
  Threat Virtual Mine Simulator..............................        2.5
  Threat Information Operations Attack Simulator.............        2.1
  Cost Reduction Effort MLRS/HIMARS..........................         16
  Design and Manufacturing Program...........................          2
  Center for Communications and Networking...................          5
Navy R, D, T & E:
  Free Electron Laser........................................          5
  Biodegradable Polymers.....................................       1.25
  Bioenvironmental Hazards Research..........................          3
  Nontraditional Warfare Initiatives.........................          2
  Hyperspectral Research.....................................          3
  Cognitive Research.........................................          3
  Nanoscale Sensor Research..................................          3
  Ceramic and Carbon Based Composites........................          2
  Littoral Area Acoustic Demo................................          3
  Computational Engineering Design...........................          2
  Supply Chain Best Practices................................          2
  Virtual Tested for Reconfigurable Ship.....................          2
  Modular Composite Hull.....................................          4
  Composite Helo Hangar Door.................................          5
  Advanced Waterjet-21.......................................          4
  Laser Welding and Cutting..................................        2.8
  Ocean Modeling for Mine and Expeditionary Warfare..........          3
  USMC ATT Initiative........................................         15
  Minesweeper Integrated Combat Weapons Systems..............          5
  Electric Motor Brush Technology............................          2
  Advanced Composite Sail Technology.........................        2.5
  Shipboard Simulation for Marine Corps Operations...........         20
  Common Command and Decision Functions......................         10
  Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicles.......................       27.5
  High Mobility Artillery Rocket System......................       17.3
  Extended Range Guided Munition.............................         10
  Nonlethal Research and Technology Development..............          8
  NAVCIITI...................................................          4
  Parametric Airborne Dipping Sonar..........................         10
  Advanced Threat Infrared Countermeasures...................          8
  Power Node Control Center..................................          3
  Advanced Food Service Technology...........................          2
  SPY-3 and Volume Search Radar..............................          8
  Multi-purpose Processor....................................         15
  Antenna Technology Improvements............................          5
  Submarine Common Architecture..............................          5
  Advanced Tactical Software Integration.....................          4
  CVN-77, CVN(X), and Nimitz Class Smart Product Model.......         10
  NULKA Dual Band Spatially Distributed Infrared Signature...        2.1
  Single Integrated Human Resources Strategy.................          3
  Marine Corps Research University...........................          3
  Reentry System Application Program.........................          2
  Joint Tactical Combat Training System......................          5
  SAR Reconnaissance System Demonstrator.....................          9
  Interoperability Process Software Tools....................          2
  SPAWAR SATCOM Systems Integration Initiative...............          2
  Distributed Engineering Plant..............................          5
Air Force R, D, T & E:
  Resin Systems for Engine Applications......................          2
  Laser Processing Tools.....................................          4
  Thermal Protection Systems.................................        1.5
  Aeronautical Research......................................          6
  Variable Displacement Vane Pump............................          3
  PBO Membrane Fuel Cell.....................................          5
  Aluminum Aerostructures....................................          3
  Space Survivability........................................        5.6
  HAARP......................................................          7
  Integrated Demonstration & Applications Laboratory (IDAL)..          6
  Fiber Optic Control Technology.............................          2
  Miniature Satellite Threat Reporting System (MSTRS)........          5
  Upper Stage Flight Experiment..............................          5
  Scorpius...................................................          5
  Space Maneuver Vehicle.....................................         15
  Solar Orbital Transfer Vehicle (SOTV)......................          5
  Micro-Satellite Technology (XSS-10)........................         12
  Composite Payload Fairings and Shrouds.....................          2
  SBL Integrated Flight Experiment (IFX).....................         30
  Airborne Laser Program.....................................       92.4
  RSLP GPS Range Safety......................................       19.2
  SATCOM Connectivity........................................          5
  BOL Integration............................................        7.6
  Hyperspectral Technology...................................          2
  Extended Range Cruise Missile..............................       86.1
  Global Air Traffic Management..............................        7.2
  Lighthouse Cyber-Security..................................          5
  B-2 Connectivity...........................................          3
  U-2 Syers..................................................          6
  Improved Radar for Global Hawk.............................          6
  Global Hawk Air Surveillance Demonstration.................         12
Defense Wide R, D, T & E:
  Personnel Research Institute...............................          4
  Infrasound Detection Basic Research........................        1.5
  Program Increase...........................................         15
  Chemical Agent Detection-Optical Computing.................          2
  Thin film Technology.......................................          3
  Wide Band Gap..............................................          2
  Bio-defense Research.......................................        2.1
  Hybrid Sensor Suite........................................          8
  High Definition Systems....................................          7
  Three-Dimensional Structure Research.......................          3
  Chem-Bio Detectors.........................................          5
  Blast Mitigation Testing...................................          3
  Facial Recognition Access Control Technology...............          2
  Magdalena Ridge Observatory................................          9
  Wide Band Gap..............................................         10
  Excalibur..................................................          3
  Atmospheric Interceptor Technology.........................         15
  Chem-Bio Individual Sampler................................        2.7
  Consequence Management Information System..................        6.4
  Chem-Bio Advanced Materials Research.......................        3.5
  Small Unit Bio Detector....................................        8.5
  Complex System Design......................................          5
  Competitive Sustainment Initiative.........................          8
  WMD simulation Capability..................................          5
  HAARP......................................................          5
  Integrated Data Environment (IDE)..........................          2
  Advanced Optical Data and Sensor Fusion....................          3
  Advanced Research Center...................................        6.5
  KE-ASAT....................................................         20
  WMD Response System........................................        1.6
  Information Operations Technology Center Alliance..........          5
  Trust Rubix................................................        1.8
  Cyber Attack Sensing and Warning...........................         20
  Virtual Worlds Initiative..................................          2
  Smart Maps.................................................          2
  NIMA Viewer................................................          5
  JCOATS-IO..................................................          5
  Information Assurance Testbed..............................          5
  Advanced Lightweight Grenade Launcher......................        5.6
Operational Test & Evaluation, Defense, RDT & E:
  Central T & E Investment Development (CTEIP) Program                20
   Increase..................................................
  Reality Fire-Fighting Training.............................        1.5
 
                   TITLE III OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE
 
Army O&M:
  Range Upgrade..............................................         50
  Battlefield Mobility Enhancement System....................         10
  Clara Barton Center for Domestic Preparedness..............        1.5
Navy O&M:
  Navy Call Center--Cutler, Maine............................          3
  Operational Meteorology and Oceanography...................          7
  Nulka Training.............................................        4.3
  Range Upgrades.............................................         25
  MTAPP......................................................          2
  Information Technology Center--New Orleans, LA.............          5
  Nansemond Ordnance Depot Site--Suffolk, VA.................        0.9
USMC O&M (none)
USAF O&M (none)
O&M Defense Wide:
  JCS Mobility Enhancements..................................         50
  Defense Acquisition University.............................          2
  DLA MOCAS Enhancements.....................................        1.2
  Joint Spectrum Center Data Base Upgrade....................         25
  Legacy Project, Nautical Historical Project--Lake                  6.1
   Champlaign, NY............................................
  Information Security Scholarship Program...................         20
  Command Information Superiority Architecture...............          2
  Information Protection Research Institute..................         10
  Impact Aid.................................................         20
 
                              MISCELLANEOUS
 
Defense Health Program.......................................         98
Kaho'olawe Island Conveyance.................................         25
Alkali Silica Reactivity Study...............................          5
Sec. 373 Reimbursement by Civil Air Carriers for Johnston
 Atoll Support
Sec. 1041 Inst. for Defense Computer Sec. & Info. Protection.         10
Sec. 2831 Land Conveyance, Price Support Center, Granite
 City, IL
Sec. 2832 Land Conveyance Hay Army Res. Center, Pittsburgh,
 PA
Sec. 2833 Land Conveyance, Steele Army Res. Center,
 Pittsburgh, PA
Sec. 2834 Land Conveyance Fort Lawton, WA
Sec. 2835 Land Conveyance Vancouver Barracks, WA
Sec. 2851 Land Conveyance MCAS Miramar, CA
Sec. 2852 Land Conveyance, Defense Fuel Supply Point, Casco
 Bay, ME
Sec. 2853 Land Conveyance Former NTC Bainbridge, Cecil
 County, MD
Sec. 2854 Land Conveyance Naval Computer & Telecomm. Station,
 Cutler, ME
Sec. 2871 Land Conveyance, Army & Air Force Exchange, Farmers
 Branch, TX
 
                               AMENDMENTS
 
Amdt. 3219 To modify authority to carry out a fiscal year            8.5
 1990 military construction project at Portsmouth Naval
 Hospital, VA................................................
Amdt. 3235 To authorize a land conveyance, Ft. Riley, KS
Amdt. 3242 To modify authority for use of certain Navy
 property by the Oxnard Harbor District, Port Hueneme, CA
Amdt. 3383 To provide with an offset, $5 million for R,D,T,&           5
 E Defense wide for strategic environment Research &
 Development Program for technologies for detection &
 transport of pollutants from live-fire activities...........
Amdt. 3385 To set aside for weatherproofing facilities at            2.8
 Keesler Air Force Base, MS, $2.8 million of amount
 authorized to be appropriated for USAF operation &
 maintenance.................................................
Amdt. 3389 To treat as veterans individuals who served in the
 Alaska Territorial Guard during W.W.II
Amdt. 3400 To authorize a land conveyance, former National
 Ground Intelligence Center, Charlottesville, VA
Amdt. 3401 To authorize a land conveyance, Army Reserve
 Center, Winona, MN
Amdt. 3404 To authorize acceptance and use of gifts from Air
 Force Museum Foundation for the construction of a third
 building for the Museum at Wright-Patterson USAF Base, OH
Amdt. 3407 To permit the lease of the Naval Computer
 Telecomm. Center, Cutler, ME, pending its conveyance
Amdt. 3408 To modify the authorized conveyance of certain
 land at Ellsworth Air Force Base, SD
Amdt. 3415 To provide for the development of a USMC Heritage
 Center at Marine Corps Base, Quantico, VA
Amdt. 3423 To authorize SecNav to convey to the city of
 Jacksonville N.C., certain land for the purpose of
 permitting the development of a bike/green way trail
Amdt. 3424 To authorize, with an offset, $1.45 million for a
 contribution by the Air National Guard, the construction of
 a new airport tower at Cheyenne Airport, WY
Amdt. 3460 P-3/H-1/SH-60R Gun Modifications..................         30
Amdt. 3462 CIWS MODS.........................................         30
Amdt. 3465 Land Conveyance, Los Angeles AFB..................
Amdt. 3466 Procurement of AV-8B aircraft.....................         92
Amdt. 3467 Information Technology Center, LA.................          5
Amdt. 3468 USMC Trucks, tilting brackets and mobile                   10
 electronic warfare support system...........................
Amdt. 3477 Joint Technology Information Center Initiative....         20
Amdt. 3481 Tethered Aerostat Radar System Sites..............         33
Amdt. 3482 Special Warfare Boat Integrated Bridge Systems....          7
Amdt. 3483 R,D,T & E for Explosive Demilitarization                    5
 Technology..................................................
Amdt. 3488 Procurement of AGM-65 Maverick missiles...........        2.1
Amdt. 3489 Procurement of Rapid Intravenous Infusion Pumps...          6
Amdt. 3490 Training Range Upgrades, Fort Knox, KY............          4
Amdt. 3490 (cont.) Overhaul of MK-45 5 inch guns.............         12

[[Page S6834]]

 
Amdt. 3770 National Labs Partnership Improvements............         10
Amdt. 3801 National Energy Technology Lab, Fossil Energy R&D.          4
Amdt. 3802 Florida Restoration Grant.........................          2
Amdt. 3812 Indian Health Care for Diabetes...................      7.372
Amdt. 3807 Salmon restoration and conservation in Maine......          5
Amdt. 3795 Forest System Land Review Committee...............          1
 
      Total = $1,981,522,000.00
------------------------------------------------------------------------



                          ____________________