[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 148 (Friday, November 15, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2081-E2082]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


      CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 4546, BOB STUMP NATIONAL DEFENSE 
                 AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2003

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. KEN BENTSEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 12, 2002

  Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Fiscal Year 2003 
Defense Authorization Conference Report, legislation which will provide 
our military forces with the resources needed to counter threats abroad 
while strengthening the security of our homeland.
  This conference report provides crucial funding in several critical 
areas, among them: weapons procurement, research and development, 
operations and maintenance, and efforts against the proliferation of 
weapons of mass destruction. At $393 billion, the conference report 
matches the President's request, and represents a 13 percent increase 
over current spending levels. As the largest national defense budget in 
inflation-adjusted terms since fiscal year 1990, this conference report 
confronts the changing security environment faced by our country and 
helps our armed services in coping with the new challenges facing them. 
I believe this legislation will provide the appropriate budgetary 
foundation to allow the President and Congress to pay for the war on 
terrorism as well as fulfill critical military needs that may arise.
  Our military forces are today called upon to confront a host of wide-
ranging challenges across every continent and hemisphere of the

[[Page E2082]]

world. This conference report will ensure that our military remains the 
best-trained, best-equipped, and best prepared force to continue 
confronting these evolving challenges. To that end, I am pleased that 
this legislation authorizes an across-the-board 4.1 percent pay 
increase, along with targeted increases of up to 6.5 percent for 
N.C.O.s and officers. This represents the fourth largest increase for 
military personnel since 1982. In addition, this legislation also 
includes provisions for improvements to health care and education for 
our service members, provisions I consider crucial to increasing the 
recruiting and retention rates of highly qualified military personnel.
  As a member of the House Budget Committee, I have fought to recognize 
the immeasurable contributions of America's disabled veterans by being 
a strong proponent for concurrent receipt. I believe disabled military 
retirees deserve both disability and retirement benefits, therefore I 
am pleased that this defense authorization changes current law to allow 
veterans who earned a Purple Heart or who suffered a severe injury in a 
combat-related incident to receive both retirement and disability 
benefits. Although this provision targets only those specific veterans 
who are 60 percent disabled and I believe this benefit should be 
extended to additional veterans, I find this legislation a good first 
step in the right direction and urge my colleagues to continue 
supporting further efforts expanding concurrent receipt coverage in the 
future.
  This conference report provides $7.3 billion to support DoD efforts 
to combat global terrorism, including funds for counterterrorism, force 
protection, counter-intelligence, and anti-terrorism programs. To guard 
against the threat weapons of mass destruction pose to the United 
States, this report authorizes $993 million for advanced chemical-
biological detection, protection, and decontamination programs, $148.2 
million for biowarfare defense technology, and $416.7 million funding 
efforts securing weapons of mass destruction and dismantling their 
facilities in the former Soviet Union. With respect to homeland 
defense, this legislation will require the DoD to work with the 
Department of Homeland Security and other federal agencies to share 
promising new technology, as well as assist local ``first responders'' 
improve their ability to respond to domestic terrorist actions.
  While I will vote in support of this legislation, I have concerns 
regarding the process of base closures. With regard to base closures, I 
am concerned that language contained in this defense authorization 
would allow base closures to take place without adequate consultation 
with Members of Congress and affected communities. While I have a 
consistent record of supporting cost-savings in all areas of the 
federal budget, I do not believe another round of base closures should 
be conducted until the DoD makes a thorough evaluation as to whether 
its current infrastructure is in a position to cope with the changing 
security environment. The threats facing our nation require that 
infrastructure on the local, state, and certainly the federal level be 
prepared and adequate to confront any possible scenarios. Due to 
language that would require 7 of 9 members of the Defense Base Closure 
and Realignment Commission (BRAC) approve any base closure, I strongly 
encourage the DoD to consult closely with Members of Congress. I 
believe the concerns of potentially affected areas must be closely 
considered. The loss of a military base can prove potentially 
devastating for defense-dependent local economies, such is the case in 
my home state of Texas. Not only that, but in many cases, the 
additional level of disaster and emergency assistance provided by 
nearby military facilities can prove extremely helpful to local 
communities. As such, I believe the DoD and Congress should be cautious 
and prudent in planning the closure of bases that will be carrying our 
military's mission in the coming months and years.
  While I have concerns about these provisions, I strongly support this 
Conference Report because it is important Congress speak with one voice 
in support of our armed services. On balance, the initiatives included 
in this bipartisan legislation are appropriate, and will provide our 
dedicated men and women in uniform with the necessary resources to cope 
with the demanding security challenges facing our nation. I urge my 
colleagues to vote in support of this important legislation.

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