[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 71 (Wednesday, May 19, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H3369-H3376]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2005
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 648 and rule
XVIII, the Chair declares the House in the Committee of the Whole House
on the State of the Union for the further consideration of the bill,
H.R. 4200.
{time} 2028
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 further consideration of
the bill (H.R. 4200) to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2005
for military activities of the Department of Defense, to prescribe
military personnel strengths for fiscal year 2005, and for other
purposes, with Mr. Sweeney (Chairman pro tempore) in the chair.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The CHAIRMAN pro tempore. When the Committee of the Whole rose
earlier today, amendment No. 2 printed in House Report 108-499 offered
by the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Davis) had been disposed of.
Amendment No. 3 Offered by Mr. Hunter
The CHAIRMAN pro tempore. The pending business is the demand for a
recorded vote on the amendment offered by the gentleman from California
(Mr. Hunter) on which further proceedings were postponed and on which
the ayes prevailed by voice vote.
The Clerk will redesignate the amendment.
The Clerk redesignated the amendment.
Recorded Vote
The CHAIRMAN. A recorded vote has been demanded.
A recorded vote was ordered.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--ayes 416,
noes 4, not voting 13, as follows:
[[Page H3370]]
[Roll No. 199]
AYES--416
Abercrombie
Ackerman
Aderholt
Akin
Alexander
Allen
Andrews
Baca
Bachus
Baker
Baldwin
Ballenger
Barrett (SC)
Bartlett (MD)
Barton (TX)
Bass
Beauprez
Becerra
Bell
Bereuter
Berkley
Berman
Berry
Biggert
Bilirakis
Bishop (GA)
Bishop (NY)
Bishop (UT)
Blackburn
Blumenauer
Blunt
Boehlert
Boehner
Bonilla
Bonner
Bono
Boozman
Boswell
Boucher
Boyd
Bradley (NH)
Brady (PA)
Brady (TX)
Brown (OH)
Brown (SC)
Brown, Corrine
Brown-Waite, Ginny
Burgess
Burns
Burton (IN)
Buyer
Calvert
Camp
Cannon
Cantor
Capito
Capps
Capuano
Cardin
Cardoza
Carson (IN)
Carson (OK)
Carter
Case
Castle
Chabot
Chandler
Chocola
Clay
Clyburn
Coble
Cole
Collins
Cooper
Costello
Cox
Cramer
Crane
Crenshaw
Crowley
Cubin
Culberson
Cummings
Cunningham
Davis (AL)
Davis (CA)
Davis (FL)
Davis (IL)
Davis (TN)
Davis, Jo Ann
Davis, Tom
Deal (GA)
DeFazio
DeGette
DeLauro
DeLay
DeMint
Deutsch
Diaz-Balart, L.
Diaz-Balart, M.
Dicks
Dingell
Doggett
Doolittle
Doyle
Dreier
Duncan
Dunn
Edwards
Ehlers
Emanuel
Engel
English
Eshoo
Etheridge
Evans
Everett
Farr
Fattah
Feeney
Ferguson
Filner
Flake
Foley
Forbes
Ford
Fossella
Frank (MA)
Franks (AZ)
Frelinghuysen
Frost
Gallegly
Garrett (NJ)
Gerlach
Gibbons
Gilchrest
Gillmor
Gingrey
Gonzalez
Goode
Goodlatte
Gordon
Goss
Granger
Graves
Green (TX)
Green (WI)
Greenwood
Grijalva
Gutierrez
Gutknecht
Hall
Harman
Harris
Hart
Hastings (FL)
Hastings (WA)
Hayes
Hefley
Hensarling
Herger
Hill
Hinchey
Hinojosa
Hobson
Hoeffel
Hoekstra
Holden
Holt
Honda
Hooley (OR)
Hostettler
Houghton
Hoyer
Hulshof
Hunter
Hyde
Inslee
Isakson
Israel
Issa
Istook
Jackson (IL)
Jackson-Lee (TX)
Jefferson
Jenkins
John
Johnson (CT)
Johnson (IL)
Johnson, E. B.
Johnson, Sam
Jones (OH)
Kanjorski
Kaptur
Keller
Kelly
Kennedy (MN)
Kennedy (RI)
Kildee
Kilpatrick
Kind
King (IA)
King (NY)
Kingston
Kirk
Kleczka
Kline
Knollenberg
Kolbe
LaHood
Lampson
Langevin
Lantos
Larsen (WA)
Larson (CT)
Latham
LaTourette
Levin
Lewis (CA)
Lewis (GA)
Lewis (KY)
Linder
Lipinski
LoBiondo
Lofgren
Lowey
Lucas (KY)
Lucas (OK)
Lynch
Majette
Maloney
Manzullo
Markey
Marshall
Matheson
Matsui
McCarthy (MO)
McCarthy (NY)
McCollum
McCotter
McCrery
McDermott
McGovern
McHugh
McInnis
McIntyre
McKeon
McNulty
Meehan
Meek (FL)
Meeks (NY)
Menendez
Mica
Michaud
Millender-McDonald
Miller (FL)
Miller (MI)
Miller (NC)
Miller, Gary
Miller, George
Mollohan
Moore
Moran (KS)
Moran (VA)
Murphy
Musgrave
Myrick
Nadler
Napolitano
Neal (MA)
Nethercutt
Neugebauer
Ney
Northup
Norwood
Nunes
Nussle
Oberstar
Obey
Olver
Ortiz
Osborne
Ose
Otter
Owens
Oxley
Pallone
Pascrell
Pastor
Paul
Payne
Pearce
Pelosi
Pence
Peterson (MN)
Peterson (PA)
Petri
Pickering
Pitts
Platts
Pombo
Pomeroy
Porter
Portman
Price (NC)
Pryce (OH)
Putnam
Quinn
Radanovich
Rahall
Ramstad
Rangel
Regula
Rehberg
Renzi
Reyes
Reynolds
Rodriguez
Rogers (AL)
Rogers (KY)
Rogers (MI)
Rohrabacher
Ros-Lehtinen
Ross
Rothman
Roybal-Allard
Royce
Ruppersberger
Rush
Ryan (OH)
Ryan (WI)
Ryun (KS)
Sabo
Sanchez, Linda T.
Sanchez, Loretta
Sanders
Sandlin
Saxton
Schakowsky
Schiff
Schrock
Scott (GA)
Scott (VA)
Sensenbrenner
Serrano
Sessions
Shadegg
Shaw
Shays
Sherman
Sherwood
Shimkus
Shuster
Simmons
Simpson
Skelton
Slaughter
Smith (MI)
Smith (NJ)
Smith (TX)
Snyder
Solis
Souder
Spratt
Stark
Stearns
Stenholm
Strickland
Stupak
Sullivan
Sweeney
Tancredo
Tanner
Tauscher
Taylor (MS)
Taylor (NC)
Terry
Thomas
Thompson (CA)
Thompson (MS)
Thornberry
Tiahrt
Tiberi
Tierney
Toomey
Towns
Turner (OH)
Turner (TX)
Udall (CO)
Udall (NM)
Upton
Van Hollen
Velazquez
Visclosky
Vitter
Walden (OR)
Walsh
Wamp
Waters
Watson
Watt
Waxman
Weiner
Weldon (FL)
Weldon (PA)
Weller
Wexler
Whitfield
Wicker
Wilson (NM)
Wilson (SC)
Wolf
Wu
Wynn
Young (AK)
Young (FL)
NOES--4
Conyers
Kucinich
Lee
Woolsey
NOT VOTING--13
Baird
Ballance
Burr
Delahunt
Dooley (CA)
Emerson
Gephardt
Hayworth
Jones (NC)
Leach
Murtha
Smith (WA)
Tauzin
Announcement by the Chairman Pro Tempore
The CHAIRMAN pro tempore (Mr. Sweeney) (during the vote). Members are
advised 2 minutes remain in this vote.
{time} 2045
So the amendment was agreed to.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
Stated for:
Mr. BAIRD. Mr. Chairman, on rollcall No. 199, the Hunter amendment,
had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''
The CHAIRMAN pro tempore (Mr. Simpson). It is now in order to
consider amendment No. 4 printed in House Report 108-499.
Amendment No. 4 Offered by Mr. Weldon of Pennsylvania
Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.
The CHAIRMAN pro tempore. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
Amendment No. 4 offered by Mr. Weldon of Pennsylvania:
At the end of subtitle A of title XII (page 424, after line
12), insert the following new section:
SEC. 12__. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON DESTRUCTION OF ABU GHRAIB
PRISON IN IRAQ.
(a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
(1) Under the regime of Saddam Hussein, the Abu Ghraib
prison in Iraq was one of the world's most notorious prisons.
(2) Under that regime, as many as 50,000 men and women were
jammed into the prison at one time in 12 feet by 12 feet
cells.
(3) Under that regime, many people were tortured and
executed in the Abu Ghraib prison.
(4) Recent activities have further highlighted the horrible
memories that Abu Ghraib stands for.
(b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of the Congress
that the Secretary of Defense should assist the Iraqi
Government, with the approval of that government, in
destroying the Abu Ghraib prison and replacing it with a
modern detention facility.
The CHAIRMAN pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 648, the
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Weldon) and a Member opposed each will
control 10 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Weldon).
{time} 2045
Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as
I may consume.
Mr. Chairman, I offer this amendment with my good friend and
colleague, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Murtha).
This amendment is a sense of Congress that gives the authority to the
administration and the Pentagon with the appropriate approval of the
new government of Iraq to dismantle the Abu Ghraib Prison that has been
the site of so much torture under Saddam's rule and the most recent
embarrassment we have had with our troops that have been administering
that prison.
In the era of Saddam Hussein, Mr. Chairman, Abu Ghraib, 20 miles west
of Baghdad, was one of the world's most notorious prisons with
tortures, weekly executions, and vile living conditions. As many as
50,000 men and women were jammed into Abu Ghraib at one time in 12-by-
12-foot cells that were little more than human holding pits.
Under Saddam Hussein, there were 4,000 prisoners executed in this
prison in 1984. In December of 1997 more than 800 prisoners were
executed, including 30 members of the Iraqi National Congress in an
effort to clean the prison. On April 27, 1998, between 6 a.m. and 9
p.m. 2,000 inmates were executed in mass firing squads and hanging
halls in an ongoing cleaning of the prison.
On December 13, 1998, there was an execution of 81 political
detainees, including 18 members of the armed services.
Between October and December of 2000, Qusay Hussein executed 1,000
prisoners at this site. The closed wing of the prison housed only
Shiite prisoners who were kept in 12-by-12-foot cells containing an
average of 40 prisoners each.
Many of the Kurdish prisoners who were held in this prison and were
out of sight were subjected to experimental chemical and biological
programs. If we look at the studies by Amnesty
[[Page H3371]]
International and other U.N. groups, under Saddam Hussein, torture
victims in Iraq in this prison were blindfolded, stripped, suspended
from their wrists for long hours. Electric shocks and probes were used,
including areas of the genitals, ears, the tongue and fingers. They
were beaten and whipped. Every type of treatment that was inhumane and
unimaginable was done in this prison.
It should have been closed down and it should have been torn down
when we liberated Iraq, and it was not done. Unfortunately, for several
months last year a small number of our soldiers, as yet to be
determined, were involved in embarrassing situations with Iraqi
prisoners that we detained.
Now, our justice system works very quickly. And I am proud to report
to our colleagues today that within 2 hours, the first soldier that was
involved in committing acts that many would call in violation of the
Geneva Final Accord was convicted, having pled guilty to crimes against
prisoners. This will follow very quickly a justice system that will not
drag out for months or years, but within a matter of weeks will hold
our American service personnel, a very small number of them,
accountable for acts that they committed at this same prison.
What we are saying in this amendment very simply, Mr. Chairman, is
assuming the new Iraqi Government, which will take place on July 1,
agrees, and it will be their decision because it will be their country,
then we are encouraging our Defense Department to work with that
government in tearing down this symbol of terrorism, in tearing down
this symbol of torture and hatred, to send a clear signal to the Iraqi
people that this era of terrible atrocities has really ended; and a new
prison will be constructed either at that site or some other site, to
allow Iraq to house the prisoners that they have to hold for proper
trial and for jurisprudence.
It is the sense of the Congress that the Secretary should assist the
Iraqi Government, with the approval of that government, in destroying
the prison and replacing it with a modern detention facility.
Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. McCOTTER. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment.
The CHAIRMAN pro tempore (Mr. Simpson). The gentleman is recognized
for 10 minutes.
Mr. McCOTTER. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Chairman, while I strongly support the underlying bill and fully
respect the intent of the esteemed Member's amendment, I reluctantly
rise in opposition to it, which I believe at present could potentially
result in the alacritous demolition of Iraq's Abu Ghraib Prison.
In so rising, I site the present disposition of another notorious
site of murder and repression, Ireland's Kilmainham Jail. Built in
Dublin by the British, from 1796 until the release of its last prisoner
and future Irish president, Eamon de Valera, in 1924, Kilmainham Jail
played a grim host to the incarceration, repression, and execution of
Irish prisoners by both the English and then, most tragically, by the
Irish themselves.
After initially falling into disrepair and dilapidation, the jail's
restoration was commenced in 1960 and eventually concluded in the 1980s
by the Irish Republic's Office of Public Works. Today, over 150,000
visitors a year come from all over the world to view Kilmainham Jail,
for it constitutes a historical mirror into the torturous times which
culminated in Irish independence.
In its present state, Kilmainham Jail has been wrested from its
inhuman captors' use as a paradigm of oppression and death, and has
instead been presented to humanity as an enduring testament to the
transcendence and ultimate triumph of the human spirit in the face of
evil.
Mr. Chairman, so too must stand Abu Ghraib Prison. For decades, Abu
Ghraib Prison housed the murder, torture and rape of Iraqi citizens at
the hands of a butcher, Saddam Hussein, and most tragically has seen
the inhumane treatment of Iraqi prisoners by an unrepresentative
smattering of despicable captors.
Thus, just as Irish suffering secured Irish ownership of Kilmainham
Jail's fate, Iraqi suffering has secured Iraqi ownership over Abu
Ghraib Prison's fate.
Abu Ghraib is not America's to obliterate as a site of evil. It is
Iraq's to elevate as a testament to history and a caution of the
future.
Yet, this is but my opinion, for not being an Iraqi, such is not my
decision to make. Nor, I caution, is this a decision to be made by the
Coalition Provisional Authority or the Iraqi Governing Council. The CPA
and IGC are transitory stewards of Iraqi sovereignty. They are not the
sovereign government comprised of the Iraqi people. Thus, if the CPA
and/or the IGC makes a determination on Abu Ghraib's future, especially
its demolition, such an action will be viewed by many Iraqis as having
been done at the behest of the U.S. and our allies and not on behalf of
the Iraqi people by the Iraqi people.
In a country and a time teeming with missed opportunities and
impending deadlines, let us not miss this chance to act presciently,
not precipitously.
I make then the following proposal: Immediately upon the transfer of
sovereignty from the Coalition Provisional Authority to the Iraqi
people on July 1, the United States must formally tender to the Iraqi
government Abu Ghraib Prison. Then the Iraqi people and their new
sovereign government, without external pressure and through free
speech, debate, assembly, petition and all lawful political processes,
the very political freedoms we are trying to impart to them, can justly
make their final determination upon Abu Ghraib's final fate.
Nothing could more clearly and fully exhibit our true and sustained
commitment to our own democratic principles and to the Iraqi people
that our manifest comprehension of a few depraved captors' shame does
not eclipse thousands of Iraqis' pain.
This is the sovereign Iraqis' decision to make. It is not ours to
insist upon or suggest but only to abide.
Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may
consume to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton).
Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I happen to think the gentleman has a good
amendment. In my opening statement on the bill in the committee, if the
gentleman will recall, I suggested this very, very strongly. And
without going into great detail, I will just reiterate what I said then
and I will agree with the amendment of the gentleman.
Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as
I may consume.
Mr. Chairman, I thank the distinguished ranking member and good
friend for his comments.
Just for the record, I would remind my good friend and colleague, the
gentleman from Michigan (Mr. McCotter) that there will no provisional
authority when this bill becomes law. The fact that we vote on this
tomorrow does nothing because this bill has to go through the process
of working with the other body and being signed by the President. That
cannot happen and will not happen until probably October or November of
this year.
By October or November of this year, there will be no more
provisional authority; it will not exist. There will be an Iraqi
Government. And that is what this amendment says; it says only if the
Iraqi Government suggests and approves that this action be taken is our
Defense Department encouraged to cooperate in that effort.
I would say to my friend and colleague, in the institution he cited
in Ireland, there was no U.S. involvement that I am aware of in
committing atrocities at that Irish prison. And so perhaps that prison
stands to the atrocities caused by those people in Ireland who
committed them.
In this case, as all Arabs know, there were in fact very serious
incidents caused by Americans. I do not want that prison to be a
testament to American atrocities when the greater symbol for the Iraqi
people should be the liberation of that country so that they can take
care of their own jurisprudence as we have called for and allow them to
move forward without the stigma of what was accomplished by a very
small number of American soldiers in that prison.
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?
[[Page H3372]]
Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania. I yield to the gentlewoman from Texas.
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I just want to join the
gentleman and join the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Murtha) for
what I think is a smart amendment that really brings all of us together
on this floor.
We just got through voting almost unanimously on a resolution, or a
sense of Congress, that we condemn the acts that occurred. The
gentleman just noted that procedures occurred earlier this morning that
addressed the question of some of those Reservists and National Guard.
Sometimes we disagree on how far up the chain this accountability
should be held, but we do not disagree, if you will, on the symbol that
that prison now represents; and as well, we do not disagree on the fact
that so many men and women are on the front lines, honorably serving,
whether it is in Iraq, whether it is in Bosnia or whether it is in
Afghanistan.
I believe this is a solid statement. We know, putting aside the
tragedies that happened, that we do not discard, I find them horrific,
that this is a place that Saddam Hussein used to cut off fingers, to
mutilate, to dehumanize, if you will, over the decades. And now, of
course, we have these horrific acts by soldiers which we do not uphold.
This is a forward step. And I would think that if we are moving to a
democracy, we do not need any more of the hanging prisons located in
Iraq, a new democracy that we are all trying to get to. So I would
argue beyond my plea for accountability at the very highest levels for
these terrible incidents.
I would say this is a very smart amendment. I ask my colleague to
support it.
Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania. Reclaiming my time, I thank the
gentlewoman for her comments.
I would say in closing, Mr. Chairman, this does not mandate one
thing. This does not require one action. This amendment simply says to
the Department of Defense, if the new Iraqi legitimate government
decides they want to proceed, we should assist in tearing down this
prison. If the new Iraqi regime and government decides they do not want
to proceed, then this amendment has no bearing.
I think it makes sense and I think it lets the new Iraqi Government
know that we will be there if they decide to destroy this symbol of
terrorism. That should be their decision. And if they make that
decision, we should authorize our Defense Department to assist them in
removing this symbol of terrorism and torture that has been there for
so long.
Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. McCOTTER. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
First, I am aware of America's not having a role in Kilmainham Jail
or grandpa would not have come here in the first place, quite likely. I
never implied that. It was never stated.
I think the fact that we are having this debate is a worthwhile
debate, but it is not what is reflected in the amendment. If the new
Iraqi Government applies, if the Iraqi Government referenced in the
amendment on line 17 applies to the new sovereign Iraqi Government, it
should say so. And since this seems to be the age of deadlines or
timelines, put July 1 or later.
It also should not suggest only one course of action. It should
suggest that after a new sovereign Iraqi Government decides what they
want to do with that facility, I cannot use that word, that evil site,
then we should be able to assist them in whatever decision they make.
I was talking to another Member today, it was kind of ironic, about
this situation, and he mentioned he had been to Dachau. And there are
two testaments to evil that I can right off think of, Dachau and
Auschwitz where America liberated.
Auschwitz, which is in Poland, still stands intact. Dachau is a fence
with pictures; Dachau is in Germany.
This is an intensely personal decision for the Iraqi people. It
should be done through their sovereign government. There should be no
external pressure or suggestions as to what they should do.
I believe that a better amendment would have been that we will assist
them and the new sovereign government after July 1 in whatever
disposition of that prison that they sought and saw fit, based upon the
suffering on that site.
Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?
Mr. McCOTTER. I yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania.
Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chairman, this legislation will pass
after July 1, so there is no way that this legislation can apply to a
government that exists today because, by the time this legislation is
completed, it will be the time frame of October or November or later
this year. So by the time this bill is signed into law, there will be
no provisional authority. There will be a legitimate Iraqi Government
duly elected by the Iraq people under their constitution.
So to reference a date is a moot point because by the time this
legislation is passed, that date will far have been over.
{time} 2100
Mr. McCOTTER. Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time, in a time of war
events often lead legislation and precede it.
I have the utmost respect for the sponsors of this amendment and
their intent. I believe him about the legislative process. It is my
concern that come July 1 Abu Ghraib prison may not stand anymore and
may not be there for a new sovereign Iraqi Government to make that
determination. That is my concern; and the drafting of the amendment,
as such, could arguably allow that to happen with the implicit consent
of a House that passed this amendment.
Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
The CHAIRMAN pro tempore (Mr. Simpson). The question is on the
amendment offered by the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Weldon).
The question was taken; and the Chairman pro tempore announced that
the ayes appeared to have it.
Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.
The CHAIRMAN pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further
proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Pennsylvania
(Mr. Weldon) will be postponed.
It is now in order to consider amendment No. 5 printed in House
report 108-499.
Amendment No. 5 Offered by Mr. Meek of Florida
Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.
The Chairman pro tempore. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
Amendment No. 5 offered by Mr. Meek of Florida:
At the end of title IX (page 348, after the matter
following line 21), insert the following new section:
SEC. 9__. SECRETARY OF DEFENSE GUIDANCE ON IDENTIFICATION AND
INTERNAL TRANSMISSION OF CRITICAL INFORMATION.
(a) Defense Guidance.--The Secretary of Defense shall
establish criteria for determining the types of critical
information required to be made known expeditiously to senior
decision makers in the Department of Defense. The types of
information specified should be matters of extraordinary
significance and potential strategic impact and should be
immediately necessary to facilitate timely information
management in the high-level, decision-making process
affecting successful mission accomplishment. The Secretary
may from time to time modify the list to suit the current
strategic situation, as necessary. The Secretary should
provide to the Secretaries of the military departments, the
commanders of deployed forces, and other elements of the
Department of Defense guidance for the purposes of
identifying those critical information requirements.
(b) Matters To Be Included.--The guidance under subsection
(a) shall include, at a minimum, requirement for
identification of the following:
(1) Any incident that may require a military contingency
based on the incident's nature, gravity, or potential for
significant adverse consequences to United States citizens,
military personnel, or assets, including an incident that
provides opportunities for significant adverse publicity of a
nature that could have a strategic impact.
(2) Any event, development, or situation that can be
reasonably assumed to escalate into a significant adverse
incident described in paragraph (1).
(3) Any deficiency or error in policy, standards, or
training that can be reasonably assumed to foster significant
adverse incidents described in paragraph (1).
(c) Policy for Transmission of Information to OSD.--The
Secretary of Defense
[[Page H3373]]
shall establish a policy for the transmission from any
element of the Department of Defense as expeditiously as
possible to the Secretary of Defense and the Joint Chiefs of
Staff of any report, assessment, or evaluation commissioned
from any level within the Department of Defense that results
in the identification of any of the items on the list
required by subsection (a). As part of that policy, the
Secretary should establish a timetable for transmission of
any such report, assessment, or evaluation to the responsible
major command upon receipt of the final document by the
commissioning authority.
(d) Time for Issuance of Guidance.--The Secretary of
Defense shall establish the list required by subsection (a)
and issue the guidance required by that subsection not later
than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
The CHAIRMAN pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 648, the
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Meek) and a Member opposed each will
control 10 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Meek).
Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself as much time as I
may consume.
First of all, I am so appreciative here tonight. I want to thank the
gentleman from California (Chairman Hunter) and also the gentleman from
Missouri (Ranking Member Skelton) for the work that both their staffs
have put on this amendment.
In the Committee on Armed Services we had great discussions about
some of the testimony we heard from Joint Chief of Staff Myers and also
from Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld about some of the issues that
happened in Iraq that did not necessarily make it to the top of the
chain of command, but they were committed to making sure that we
correct those inequities within the DoD chain of command.
What this amendment does that I am offering today is making sure that
the critical information from the theater moves up to the Pentagon when
that information warrants.
It requires the Secretary to make sure that he identifies what kind
of information he needs to know to determine the information that is
critical to the strategic plan in theater, giving instructions to
personnel on how to identify that information when they see it, and
allow it to make it to the Secretary for them to determine how to deal
with it in a timely manner.
The Secretary will also deem what is important information and what
is not important information. This is basically giving some level of
direction and a great deal of discretion to the Secretary, but making
sure that this information can get to the Secretary's desk as soon as
possible.
Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr.
Skelton).
Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, let me take a moment. I rise in support of
this amendment offered by my good friend from Florida.
When the Secretary of Defense appeared before the House Committee on
Armed Services testifying about the prison abuses, he stated he could
not possibly monitor each of the thousands of ongoing cases which might
be important enough to warrant his needed attention. He does not need
to do that. He needs to monitor only those ones that have potential
strategic impact; and during that hearing and in subsequent discussions
and investigations, it has become apparent that he has no mechanism to
lift those sorts of matters to his attention expeditiously.
The gentleman from Florida's (Mr. Meek) amendment does just that, and
I support it.
Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may
consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Hunter).
Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Chairman, I want to say I do not think we need to
take time on this side except to just say I think we have got a good
work product here, and I think this reflects some pretty good
bipartisan work in what are fairly useful sessions where we have
briefings by SEC DEF and the other relevant leadership in DoD.
He brought up the fact, and we talked about the fact, that in the Abu
Ghraib prison situation you had General Sanchez starting an
investigation immediately after the soldier came forward, and the
investigation proceeded apace; and under the UCMJ, the prosecutions
proceeded apace; but nobody flagged this as something of particularly
extraordinary or explosive impact. So we did not have a system that
flagged something.
In this age of television and instant communications, these pictures
were out in the press before SEC DEF knew about it or we knew about it
or other people knew about it.
So I think this is a good result of the gentleman understanding that,
talking it back and forth with DoD. The gentleman from Missouri (Mr.
Skelton) worked on it, and we looked at it and worked on it; and I
think the gentleman has a good work product here. It is a way in which
they can do essentially what I understand the Air Force has right now,
which is when you have something that could have enormous impact, it is
flagged up the line so the Secretary and the other leadership can act
on it.
I think the gentleman has done a good job, and I appreciate his
thoughtfulness and his hard work on the committee; and I think this is
a good amendment.
Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
I just want to say, Mr. Chairman, that I appreciate the insight, also
the insight from the gentleman's staff and the Democratic staff here.
This is working towards definitely troop protection in theater and
making sure that at the highest levels of the Pentagon that there are
some criteria of what is critical to strategic planning and troops in
theater.
So I want to thank the Chairman for his help.
Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
The CHAIRMAN pro tempore. Does any Member claim time in opposition to
the amendment?
The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from
Florida (Mr. Meek).
The amendment was agreed to.
The CHAIRMAN pro tempore. It is now in order to consider amendment
No. 6 printed in House Report 108-499.
Amendment No. 6 Offered by Mr. Hastings of Florida
Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.
The Chairman pro tempore. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
Amendment No. 6 offered by Mr. Hastings of Florida:
At the end of subtitle A of title XII (page 424, after line
12), insert the following new section:
SEC. . SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING LIMITATION ON USE OF
FUNDS FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF IRAQ.
It is the sense of Congress that--
No funds available to any department or agency of the
United States Government may be used to provide assistance
for the reconstruction of Iraq unless the President certifies
to Congress that the United States Government has entered
into an agreement with the Iraqi Governing Council or a
transitional government in Iraq under which Iraq agrees that
it will expend a significant portion of its revenues
generated from oil production for reconstruction activities
in Iraq.
The CHAIRMAN pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 648, the
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Hastings) and a Member opposed each will
control 10 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Hastings).
Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Dreier), the chairman of
the Committee on Rules, for working with me to make this amendment in
order; and I commend the gentleman from California (Mr. Hunter), the
chairman of the Committee on Armed Services; and the gentleman from
Missouri (Mr. Skelton), the distinguished ranking member, my very good
friend, for the work that they have done on this entire bill.
Mr. Chairman, we can all agree wholeheartedly that supporting our
soldiers and providing them what they need to get the job done is our
highest priority. However, there are some other important matters that
must also be addressed regarding the National Defense Authorization
Act, issues that the American people want to hear about.
From the President on down to many of us, we have the view that Iraq
could fund its own reconstruction. Prior to the war, the Secretary of
Defense and his deputy testified to Congress that a war in Iraq and
subsequent reconstruction costs could be financed by oil profits in
Iraq.
[[Page H3374]]
This was reconfirmed on March 27 when Deputy Secretary of Defense Mr.
Wolfowitz suggested that Iraqi oil revenues could pay for the cost of
reconstituting Iraq. To date, Congress has already appropriated $148
billion to fund the war and reconstruction efforts, and the President
is requesting an additional $25 billion for fiscal year 2005.
Moreover, Deputy Secretary Wolfowitz has suggested that between 50
and $60 billion is actually needed, and I, for one, agree with that;
but this funding has yet to be supplemented by Iraqi oil revenue.
My amendment expresses the sense of Congress that no funds available
for Iraqi reconstruction purposes may be used unless the President
certifies to Congress that the United States Government has entered
into an agreement with Iraq that it will expend a significant portion
of its revenues generated from oil production on its own
reconstruction.
This amendment is not intended to use Iraqi oil money to finance the
broader U.S. military campaign. Instead, it states that the United
States ought to share the cost of Iraqi reconstruction with the free
government of Iraq for the benefit of the Iraqi people.
The United States has a responsibility to finish what we are involved
in in Iraq. Iraq is an integral and critical ingredient in our recipe
for success in the entire region. Nevertheless, the American people
should not be expected to bear the full burden of these costs. American
tax dollars are building roads in Mosul, but not in my hometown of
Miramar.
We are building schools in Baghdad, but not in Boston; and we are
funding hospitals in Basra, but not Baltimore. I find this troubling,
especially in light of Iraq's vast natural resources and some of the
comments that have been made regarding the funding reconstruction
efforts with Iraqi oil revenue.
The fact is that if that is unhealthy for Iraq, it should not be
healthy for the United States. After all, we are not the ones sitting
on a $7 trillion oil reserve. At the very least, Iraqis should share
this economic burden. To finance this huge effort, we need partners;
and Iraq should be our first and foremost partner in the rebuilding of
their country. We cannot afford these efforts any other way, and I ask
for my colleagues' support for my amendment.
Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?
Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. I yield to the gentleman from Missouri.
Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I think this is a good amendment, and I
join the gentleman; and I urge its adoption.
We support the Iraqis. Everyone in America knows that, and we are
supporting them with nearly 140,000 troops, $87 billion-plus in
reconstruction funds, and I think the Americans expect this oil-rich
country to help pay for reconstruction. This is not unreasonable to
expect that they start investing in their own future as well.
As their oil sector recovers, they should be reinvesting those
revenues in their own future. I think all across our country people
will say why not, what is wrong with the Iraqis paying for their very
own reconstruction and helping us in the process.
So I congratulate the gentleman, and I urge the adoption of this.
Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I thank the ranking member for
his comments.
Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman
from California (Mr. Hunter), the chairman.
Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for the time, and let
me just add to the remarks made by my colleague, the gentleman from
Missouri (Mr. Skelton). I think it is absolutely appropriate that Iraqi
resources be used to rebuild Iraq, and we have no objection to this
amendment.
Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to yield back the
balance of my time.
The CHAIRMAN pro tempore. Who seeks time in opposition?
The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from
Florida (Mr. Hastings).
The amendment was agreed to.
The CHAIRMAN pro tempore. It is now in order to consider amendment
No. 14 printed in House Report 108-499.
Amendment No. 14 Offered by Mr. Skelton
Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, as the designee of the gentlewoman from
New York (Ms. Slaughter), I offer an amendment.
The Chairman pro tempore. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
Amendment No. 14 offered by Mr. Skelton:
At the end of title V (page 200, after line 24), insert the
following new section:
SEC. 598. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE POLICY AND PROCEDURES ON
PREVENTION AND RESPONSE TO SEXUAL ASSAULTS
INVOLVING MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES.
(a) Comprehensive Policy on Prevention and Response to
Sexual Assaults.--(1) Not later than January 1, 2005, the
Secretary of Defense shall develop a comprehensive policy for
the Department of Defense on the prevention of and response
to sexual assaults involving members of the Armed Forces.
(2) The policy shall be based on the recommendations of the
Department of Defense Task Force on Care for Victims of
Sexual Assaults and on such other matters as the Secretary
considers appropriate.
(b) Elements of Comprehensive Policy.--The policy developed
under subsection (a) shall address the following matters:
(1) Prevention measures.
(2) Education and training on prevention and response.
(3) Investigation of complaints by command and law
enforcement personnel.
(4) Medical treatment of victims.
(5) Confidential reporting of incidents.
(6) Victim advocacy and intervention.
(7) Oversight by commanders of administrative and
disciplinary actions in response to substantiated incidents
of sexual assault.
(8) Disposition of victims of sexual assault, including
review by appropriate authority of administrative separation
actions involving victims of sexual assault.
(9) Disposition of members of the Armed Forces accused of
sexual assault.
(10) Liaison and collaboration with civilian agencies on
the provision of services to victims of sexual assault.
(11) Uniform collection of data on the incidence of sexual
assaults and on disciplinary actions taken in substantiated
cases of sexual assault.
(c) Report on Improvement of Capability To Respond to
Sexual Assaults.--Not later than March 1, 2005, the Secretary
of Defense shall submit to Congress a proposal for such
legislation as the Secretary considers necessary to enhance
the capability of the Department of Defense to address
matters relating to sexual assaults involving members of the
Armed Forces.
(d) Application of Comprehensive Policy To Military
Departments.--The Secretary shall ensure that, to the maximum
extent practicable, the policy developed under subsection (a)
is implemented uniformly by the military departments.
(e) Policies and Procedures of Military Departments.--(1)
Not later than March 1, 2005, the Secretaries of the military
departments shall prescribe regulations, or modify current
regulations, on the policies and procedures of the military
departments on the prevention of and response to sexual
assaults involving members of the Armed Forces in order--
(A) to conform such policies and procedures to the policy
developed under subsection (a); and
(B) to ensure that such policies and procedures include the
elements specified in paragraph (2).
(2) The elements specified in this paragraph are as
follows:
(A) A program to promote awareness of the incidence of
sexual assaults involving members of the Armed Forces.
(B) A program to provide victim advocacy and intervention
for members of the Armed Force concerned who are victims of
sexual assault, which program shall make available, at home
stations and in deployed locations, trained advocates who are
readily available to intervene on behalf of such victims.
(C) Procedures for members of the Armed Force concerned to
follow in the case of an incident of sexual assault involving
a member of such Armed Force, including--
(i) specification of the person or persons to whom the
alleged offense should be reported;
(ii) specification of any other person whom the victim
should contact;
(iii) procedures for the preservation of evidence; and
(iv) procedures for confidential reporting and for
contacting victim advocates.
(D) Procedures for disciplinary action in cases of sexual
assault by members of the Armed Force concerned.
(E) Other sanctions authorized to be imposed in
substantiated cases of sexual assault, whether forcible or
nonforcible, by members of the Armed Force concerned.
(F) Training on the policies and procedures for all members
of the Armed Force concerned, including specific training for
members of the Armed Force concerned who process allegations
of sexual assault against members of such Armed Force.
(G) Any other matters that the Secretary of Defense
considers appropriate.
(f) Annual Assessment of Policies and Procedures.--Not
later than January 15, 2006, and each year thereafter, each
Secretary of a military department shall conduct an
assessment of the implementation during the preceding fiscal
year of the policies and procedures of such department on the
prevention of and response to sexual assaults involving
members of the Armed
[[Page H3375]]
Forces in order to determine the effectiveness of such
policies and procedures during such fiscal year in providing
an appropriate response to such sexual assaults.
(g) Annual Reports.--(1) Not later than April 1, 2005, and
January 15 of each year thereafter, each Secretary of a
military department shall submit to the Secretary of Defense
a report on the sexual assaults involving members of the
Armed Force concerned during the preceding year.
(2) Each report on an Armed Force under paragraph (1) shall
contain the following:
(A) The number of sexual assaults against members of the
Armed Force, and the number of sexual assaults by members of
the Armed Force, that were reported to military officials
during the year covered by such report, and the number of the
cases so reported cases that were substantiated.
(B) A synopsis of and the disciplinary action taken in each
substantiated case.
(C) The policies, procedures, and processes implemented by
the Secretary concerned during the year covered by such
report in response to incidents of sexual assault involving
members of the Armed Force concerned.
(D) A plan for the actions that are to be taken in the year
following the year covered by such report on the prevention
of and response to sexual assault involving members of the
Armed Forces concerned.
(3) Each report under paragraph (1) in 2006, 2007, and 2008
shall also include the assessment conducted by the Secretary
concerned under subsection (f).
(4) The Secretary of Defense shall transmit to the
Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of
Representatives each report submitted to the Secretary under
this subsection, together with the comments of the Secretary
on each such report. The Secretary shall transmit the report
on 2004 not later than May 1, 2005, and shall transmit the
report on any year after 2004 not later than March 15 of the
year following such year.
(h) Requirement To Develop Definition of Sexual Assault.--
Prior to developing policies and programs on the prevention
of and response to sexual assaults, the Department of
Defense, in consultation with the Service Secretaries, shall
develop a definition of sexual assault that is uniform for
all the Armed Forces, including but not limited to rape,
acquaintance rape, sexual assault, and other criminal
offenses.
The CHAIRMAN pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 648, the
gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton) and a Member opposed each will
control 5 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton).
Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I urge the adoption of this amendment.
Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time at this moment.
The CHAIRMAN pro tempore. Who seeks time in opposition to the
amendment?
Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to claim the time
in opposition, but I am not in opposition.
The CHAIRMAN pro tempore. Without objection, the gentlewoman from
West Virginia (Mrs. Capito) is recognized for 5 minutes.
There was no objection.
{time} 2115
Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Chairman, Americans are concerned about the welfare of the men
and women we send to defend our country. The American people understand
that war is violent. What the American people will not tolerate is the
assault or rape of a female soldier by a fellow soldier. Simply put,
this is unacceptable.
Recent reports of sexual assaults of female soldiers serving abroad,
along with numerous cases of assaults in or around military bases,
clearly demonstrate the need for the Department of Defense to change
their approach to this problem.
Women are serving in the military, and we are mighty proud of them.
Along with my colleagues today, the gentlewoman from New York (Ms.
Slaughter), the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Solis) and the
gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite), we offer this
amendment to help the military work through this problem, understand
its causes, and put in place measures that will prevent it from
happening.
The amendment calls for the Secretary of Defense to increase training
for officers so they are better equipped to deal with sexual assaults.
The amendment calls for a clear and precise protocol that protects
privacy and ensures safety and which women can follow to report an
attack. The amendment ensures access to the appropriate medical
treatment and counseling for women at all times during their service,
no matter where they are in the world. This policy is to be put in
place by January 1, 2005.
Members of both the House and Senate, including my colleagues on the
Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues, have examined this issue,
along with the Department of Defense's Task Force on Care For Victims
of Sexual Assault. We agree that the action called for in this
amendment is beyond necessary to deal with the multiple incidents of
sexual assaults in the military.
These steps, which are being mirrored in the Senate's version of the
legislation, will help the Armed Forces prevent attacks from happening,
as well as put proper procedures in place that bring aid and comfort to
those who have survived attacks.
I am hopeful the action by this Congress will help bring a change in
the attitude in the U.S. military. It needs to be made perfectly clear
that it is unacceptable to sexually assault a female soldier; and if
you choose to make that mistake, you will be held accountable for your
actions, no matter who you are, what your rank is, or what condition
you serve under. I am in full and hardy support of this amendment.
Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to yield the
balance of my time to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Slaughter),
the principal author of this amendment, and that she be allowed to
control that time.
The CHAIRMAN pro tempore (Mr. Simpson). Is there objection to the
request of the gentleman from Missouri?
There was no objection.
Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may
consume, and I thank the gentleman from Missouri very much for his
leadership.
Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of an amendment to the fiscal year
2005 DOD authorization bill which I am offering with the leadership of
the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues and my good friend, the
gentlewoman from West Virginia (Mrs. Capito).
This bipartisan amendment will help us take a first step in
addressing the problems of sexual assault within the military. Last
Thursday, the DOD Task Force on Care For Victims of Sexual Assault
released its report and recommendations concerning the problem based on
a 90-day study. The Slaughter/Capito/Solis/Brown-Waite amendment is
based on the report findings and will help to implement several of the
recommendations made by the DOD task force.
Specifically, it would require the Secretary of Defense to develop a
comprehensive policy for DOD on the prevention of and response to
sexual assaults involving members of the Armed Forces. This
comprehensive policy would be based on the recommendations of the task
force. In addition, the amendment would require the DOD to take related
measures to address sexual assaults in the military, such as reporting
the improvement of DOD's capability to respond to sexual assaults,
applying the comprehensive policy to all military departments instead
of each branch having its own, modifying the policies and procedures of
the military departments, annually assessing the policies and
procedures, and issuing reports to the Senate and the House Committee
on Armed Services.
On March 31 of this year, the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues
held a forum on sexual assaults in the military and submitted its
report from the caucus to the Secretary. The Congressional Caucus for
Women's Issues has committed to continuing to take a leadership role in
addressing this issue.
Mr. Chairman, 120 women have already come back from Iraq saying they
have been sexually assaulted by their fellow soldiers. Only 20 of them
reported it in the military because of the fact it would end their
career. We want to change this attitude and this culture.
Now, a similar version of this amendment has already been included in
the Senate version of the fiscal year 2005 DOD authorization bill and
has good bipartisan support in the Senate. It has been developed in
consultation with the Pentagon and is intended to help the Pentagon
start implementing the concrete proactive measures that are outlined in
the task force's report.
We want to help, because the Pentagon, in previous reports, has
stated
[[Page H3376]]
over and over again the problem; but very few solutions have come from
it. It is by no means intended to be a quick fix to the problem of
sexual assault, but, instead, is intended to be a positive first step
towards remedying this terrible problem.
Along with my colleagues on the Congressional Caucus for Women's
Issues, I also plan to introduce a comprehensive legislation package to
deal with other aspects of this issue based on the findings from the
Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues hearing, additional research
and information that we have been gathering, as well as the task force
report.
We look forward to continuing to work together in a productive manner
to eliminate sexual assaults of our United States servicewomen. Again,
it is a first step, and I encourage my colleagues to approve this
amendment to the fiscal year 2005 DOD authorization bill.
Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself 1 minute. Mr. Chairman, I
want to take this time to thank the members of the Congressional Caucus
for Women's Issues, and my co-chairwoman, the gentlewoman from New York
(Ms. Slaughter). Her work on this issue has been very valuable, and she
has been very aggressive; and I think the result of our hearings are
bearing fruit here in this amendment.
I would also like to thank the chairman of the committee and the
ranking member for their letting us offer this amendment and also,
hopefully, making it a part of the bill.
Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman
from California (Ms. Solis), the vice chair of the Congressional Caucus
for Women's Issues on the Democratic side.
Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Chairman, today I rise in support of the amendment as
vice chair of the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues. As we all
know, our dedicated military servicemen and -women dedicate and risk
their lives in order to protect our great Nation. We stand united on
both sides of the aisle today as the Congressional Caucus for Women's
Issues to bring awareness to an alarming trend of sexual assaults
against women in all branches of the military.
The Pentagon itself has reported more than 100 cases of sexual
assaults amongst troops deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan over the past
14 months. These numbers are not necessarily reflective of the actual
situation, because women are discouraged from seeking help or reporting
their assaults because of our military system, which has no
comprehensive policy to address sexual assaults.
We are in the midst of a growing problem of violence against women
that will not be tolerated. In March, the Congressional Caucus for
Women's Issues held a hearing on sexual assaults in the military, where
we heard directly from a courageous survivor, Captain Machmer. Her
message was very powerful and clear: the military has a pervasive
culture that needs to be aggressively addressed. She said, and I quote,
``My assailant received a reduction in rank to specialist, forfeited
$826 for 2 months, and had extra duty for 30 days. And, still, this
person works on the base I worked on.''
In fact, studies estimate that 75 to 84 percent of alleged offenders
are honorably discharged. What type of message are we sending to women
serving in our country, and, more importantly, the next generation of
women interested in joining the Armed Forces?
Last week, the DOD Task Force on Care For Victims of Sexual Assault
released a report with recommendations. In line with these
recommendations, this amendment that we are presenting here tonight
would require the Secretary of Defense to develop a comprehensive
policy to prevent and respond to sexual assaults in the Armed Forces.
This amendment would also require the Secretary to take steps to
improve the Defense Department's capacity to respond to sexual assaults
and restructure procedures on how assaults against women are to be
handled.
What we need is a commitment to taking action. At this time, when our
troops are valiantly committed to our country, I urge my colleagues on
both sides of the aisle to support this bipartisan effort.
The CHAIRMAN pro tempore. All time for debate on the amendment has
expired.
The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from
Missouri (Mr. Skelton).
The question was taken; and the Chairman pro tempore announced that
the ayes appeared to have it.
Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.
The CHAIRMAN pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further
proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Missouri
(Mr. Skelton) will be postponed.
Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Chairman, I move that the Committee do now rise.
The motion was agreed to.
Accordingly, the Committee rose; and the Speaker pro tempore (Mr.
Feeney) having assumed the chair, Mr. Simpson, Chairman pro tempore of
the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, reported
that that Committee, having had under consideration the bill (H.R.
4200) to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2005 for military
activities of the Department of Defense, to prescribe military
personnel strengths for fiscal year 2005, and for other purposes, had
come to no resolution thereon.
____________________