[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 122 (Tuesday, September 26, 2006)]
[House]
[Pages H7425-H7433]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 5631, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS
ACT, 2007
Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 1037,
I call up the conference report to accompany the bill (H.R. 5631)
making appropriations for the Department of Defense for the fiscal year
ending September 30, 2007, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 1037, the
conference report is considered read.
(For conference report and statement, see proceedings of the House of
September 25, 2006, at page H6996.)
The SPEAKER pro tempore. 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 of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise to support the conference report on H.R. 5631
which makes appropriations for the Department of Defense for fiscal
year 2007. The agreement provides $377.6 billion for the United States
military. In addition, $70 billion is provided in the so-called bridge
fund for the operations of the war against terror. Finally, $200
million is included in emergency funding to help the Department of the
Interior and the Forest Service combat wildfires.
Mr. Speaker, this conference report also carries a continuing
resolution which will fund other activities of the government through
November 17. It is a totally clean CR, and it merely establishes the
date.
The House passed the defense bill on June 20 by a vote of 407-19. The
other body completed its action on its version of the bill on September
7. By September 21, only 2 weeks after the Senate approval, we resolved
conference and present a good conference report.
There was some difficulty about the total number, the top line, the
302(b) allocation, and I want to compliment the chairman of the full
committee, Chairman Lewis, for having stuck to his guns. We were able
to get that top number up to the House number and this bill reflects
very closely the bill as passed by the House.
I will say that a statement has been prepared in writing of the
highlights of this legislation. I would advise the Members that there
were no new earmarks, no new Member projects added in conference, and
that in the bridge fund there are no Member projects whatsoever. It is
a good conference report. It was agreed to unanimously by the conferees
of both parties in both the House and the Senate.
Mr. Speaker, it is a good bill.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the conference report on
H.R. 5631, making appropriations for the Department of Defense for
fiscal year 2007. This agreement provides $377.6 billion for the United
States military. In addition, $70 billion is provided in the so-called
``Bridge Fund''. Finally, $200 million is included in emergency funding
to help the Department of the Interior and the Forest Service combat
wildfires.
This conference report also carries a continuing resolution, which
will fund other activities of the government through November 17th.
The House passed the Defense appropriations bill on June 20th by a
vote of 407 to 19. However, the Senate did not complete action on its
version until September 7th. We reached a conference agreement on
Thursday, September 21st, only two weeks after final approval by the
Senate, despite having to resolve some major funding differences.
The centerpiece of this legislation is the funding for the Global War
on Terror contained in title IX. This includes $17.1 billion to fully
cover the fiscal year 2007 reset needs of the United States Army, and
$5.8 billion to do the same for the Marine Corps.
The reset funding in this conference agreement will enable deploying
units to have all the equipment they require to face the enemy in Iraq
and Afghanistan. In addition, returning units can be reset and trained
in order to be at full readiness for any future deployment. We owe it
to our troops to ensure they have all the equipment they need to
perform their missions. This funding keeps that commitment.
In addition, the conference agreement provides operating expenses for
the services to conduct the Global War on Terror for the first half of
fiscal year 2007. Finally, we provide funding for 10 additional C-17
aircraft in the Bridge Fund, for a total of 22 in this conference
report.
Within the base bill, the conference agreement maintains the two
littoral combat ships provided for the Navy in the House bill but
eliminated by the Senate, as well one T-AKE ammunition ship. We have
reluctantly agreed to the proposal of the Administration and the Senate
to incrementally fund the two lead ships of the DDG-1000 destroyer
series, formerly DD(X). However, we expect them to stay within the
total funding envelop for both ships, which is currently projected at
$6,582,200,000. In the future, I do not believe Congress should
entertain any funding above this level.
The conference agreement also includes $2.7 billion to fully fund the
procurement of 20 F-22A fighter aircraft, and $687 million for advance
procurement of 20 aircraft in fiscal year 2008.
The Senate bill had eliminated procurement funding for the Joint
Strike Fighter program. However, in the conference agreement we were
able to restore full funding for 2 production aircraft and advance
procurement for 12 additional aircraft in fiscal year 2008. Including
research and development costs, the conference agreement contains $4.3
billion for the Joint Strike Fighter program, making it the largest
single program in the Department of Defense.
We also responded to the emerging threat posed by North Korea and
Iran by providing $9.4 billion for ballistic missile defense, an
increase of $1.6 billion over fiscal year 2006. This includes funds to
begin the establishment in Europe of a third ground-based interceptor
site.
Mr. Speaker, there are a number of other important programs addressed
in this conference report. Let me just conclude by stating that this
bill provides essential funding for the war fighter in Iraq,
Afghanistan, and around the world as we wage the Global War on Terror.
Every member of the conference committee signed the conference report.
It deserves the strong support of the House. I urge its adoption.
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Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. MURTHA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I hope as I see those pages fluttering over there it is not an
indication that we are going to have a long debate. I hope for the
record that we are not going to see that.
We worked assiduously for 6 months to get this bill together. It is
the tightest, toughest bill I have ever seen in the 25 years I have
been on this committee. We sure don't want a lot of rhetoric to
elucidate on what happened here. So I am prepared to yield back my
time.
Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I have two requests for time.
Mr. Speaker, I am happy to yield such time as he might consume to the
distinguished chairman of the full Appropriations Committee, the
gentleman from California (Mr. Lewis).
Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, at the admonition of my dear
friend from Pennsylvania, I am simply rising to compliment these two
gentleman for the fabulous work they have done and to make one single
point: this is the first conference report of 11 that we should have.
It is my intention before the year is over to complete all of those
reports.
But the point I really want to make and have the House understand, it
is not the committee's intention to have an omnibus of any form. An
omnibus only complicates the process, causes us to spend more money,
not less, and undermines the very fine work that has been done by this
committee.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the FY07 Department of Defense
Appropriations conference report. This is the first of 11 individual
conference reports I hope to bring to the House floor for consideration
this year.
The conference report funds the DoD at $377.6 billion plus a bridge
fund of $70 billion for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
In addition, the DoD conference report contains a clean continuing
resolution that funds government operations at the lower rate of House-
passed, Senate-passed, or last year's funding level through November
17th.
The underlying bill in this conference report--the DoD Appropriations
bill--is the most important of our annual appropriation bills for it
funds our national security. I would like to praise Chairman Young and
ranking member Murtha for their fine bipartisan work. Chairman Young
has spoken to the specifics of the conference report so I will direct
my attention to the need to complete our work this year.
As the body knows, the Appropriations Committee has made tremendous
strides over the last two years in reforming the process of adopting
our annual spending bills.
The Appropriations Committee has been strongly committed to bringing
to this floor individual conference reports for each and every bill. We
were successful in doing so last year and I hope to replicate that
success again this year.
Early in this process, I made it very clear to my leadership and to
our members that the Appropriations Committee would not entertain the
prospect of an omnibus spending bill. This Committee has done
everything in its power to ensure that this does not happen.
The Appropriations Committee passed each of the 11 spending bills
through full committee by June 20th, and passed 10 of 11 bills off the
House floor by June 30th. We remain ready to pass the final
appropriations bill at a moment's notice.
The Appropriations Committee made a commitment to move its spending
bills individually--in ``regular order''--and within the framework of
the Budget Resolution. We have done that. My colleagues, the
Appropriations Committee has kept its word.
Moving our spending bills individually is the only way for us to
maintain fiscal discipline. If history is any guide, an omnibus
spending bill would also become a vehicle for legislative mischief, a
proverbial Christmas tree for unrelated legislative proposals by
attaching the year's unfinished business onto must-pass legislation.
The pursuit of an omnibus strategy is a budget-buster and an invitation
to unrestrained spending.
Chairman Cochran and I urge our colleagues to avoid this approach and
move forward in passing individual conference reports.
Together, we remain committed to completing our work at the earliest
possible date.
I urge the adoption of this conference report.
Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may
consume to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Frelinghuysen), the vice
chairman of the subcommittee.
Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding.
Mr. Speaker, taking Mr. Murtha's admonition, I rise in strong support
of the bill and especially draw attention to the need to get the money
out the door through the bridge fund.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 5631, making
appropriations for the Department of Defense of FY '07.
I commend the leadership of the Committee--Chairmen Lewis and Young,
and Ranking Members Obey and Murtha--for their hard work in producing
well-balanced bill that meets the needs of our warfighters today and
lays the foundation for a strong national defense in the future.
This conference agreement provides $447.6 billion, including $70
billion in ``bridge funding'' to support our missions in Iraq,
Afghanistan, and global war on terrorism.
The total is about $4.1 billion less than the President's budget
request, but it is over $19 billion more than last year's DoD
appropriations act.
Yet still, within this limited allocation, the conference report
provides important resources for our warfighters:
aircraft
F/A-22 Raptor--$2.7 billion to procure 20 F-22s next year, nearly
double what was requested by the Administration.
F-35 Lightening Joint Strike Fighter--almost $5 billion for
development and procurement of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF).
Hercules Cargo Planes--$787 million for nine Air Force C-130Js, and
$243 million for Marine Corps KC-130Js.
ships
New Assault Ship--$2.6 billion for two of the Navy's next-generation
surface combat ship, the DD(X).
LHA Amphibious Assault Ship--$1.1 billion for the LHA Amphibious
Assault Ship.
Attack Submarine--$2.5 billion, equal to the administration's
request, for procurement of the next Virginia-class new attack-
submarine.
Missile Defense
The conference report provides $9.4 billion for missile defense
programs--$110 million more than the President's budget request, and
almost $1.6 billion (20%) more than current funding. We also provide
for the initial deployment of a national missile defense system based
in Alaska and California.
FCS
Future Combat System--Appropriates $3 billion for the Future Combat
System, the Army's most high profile weapons modernization program.
However, this figure is $320 million less than requested.
Force Protection
The bill provides funds for increased protection for U.S. troops in
Iraq, including $725 billion for personnel protective gear, such as
body armor; $5.6 billion for more up-armored Humvees, other tactical
wheeled-vehicles and other equipment expended in Iraq and Afghanistan;
and $1.5 billion to counter improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
Bridge
While these are the highlights of this important conference report, I
would like to focus on the ``Bridge Fund.'' The conference
recommendation includes $70 billion in emergency funding for military
operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
ied
My colleagues, the standoff-weapon of choice for the insurgents in
Iraq and Afghanistan is the IED--the roadside bomb, the suicide bomb,
and recently in Afghanistan, the ``bike'' bomb.
Our enemy is aggressive, creative, and dangerous and this bridge fund
contains $1.9 billion for the Joint IED Defeat Organization of the
Department of Defense in order to stay one step ahead in protecting our
warfighters.
CERP
The Commander's Emergency Response Program (CERP) is provided $500
million to help combatant commanders secure the peace by addressing
emergency civilian needs in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Another $3.2 billion is provided to train and equip Iraqi and Afghan
security forces--a vital mission that will allow American forces to
hand over security responsibilities as soon as possible.
Reset--Army and Marines
Mr. Speaker, all of the resources in the ``bridge fund'' are
important. But I would like to highlight the $5.8 billion to ``reset''
the Marines and the $17.1 billion provided to reset the Army. This
funding is needed to fully equip deploying forces and to provide new
and refurbished equipment for returning units.
Of the funds provided for the Army, $2.94 billion is for the Army
Guard and Reserve, including $500 million to continue the effort
initiated last year to outfit the Army National Guard with the
equipment it needs for homeland defense and disaster response.
Mr. Speaker, the battle we wage in Iraq and Afghanistan is a tough
battle. We're proud of the job of the Army and the Marines who are
carrying the fight. But our forces are tearing up equipment at an
alarming rate and without
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this re-set funding, we run the risk of witnessing the return of a
``hollow Army'' that cannot serve our national interests.
Warfighters
Mr. Speaker, the very foundation of our national security is not
weapons systems or vehicles or munitions. No, our primary asset in the
global war against terrorism is our warfighter--the brave young men and
women of our armed forces who are protecting our homeland every day.
This conference report supports an active-duty force of 482-thousand
Army soldiers, 340-thousand Navy personnel, 334-thousand Air Force
pilots and airmen and 175-thousand Marines.
I am pleased this bill provides for another pay hike (2.2%) for our
warfighters.
Summary
This House should be proud of this legislation. It provides our
fighting men and women with the resources they need to be: more
deployable; more agile; more flexible; more interoperable; and more
lethal in the execution of their missions.
It provides for: better training; better equipment; better weapons;
and better paychecks for the troops and support for their families at
home.
I am pleased to support this legislation and the warfighters who
proudly wear our Nation's uniform.
Mr. MURTHA. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my
time. I want to say thank you very much to the members on both sides of
the aisle of the subcommittee. They worked diligently in a lengthy
series of hearings, oversight hearings, justification hearings. I would
like to compliment the staff who have worked many, many long, hard
hours in resolving the differences between the House version of this
bill and the Senate version of the bill. It is a great honor to work
with all of these members, men and women.
I would say that this, as has been suggested, is a good bill. I urge
its passage.
Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, this year's Defense Appropriations
Conference Report is a step up from previous defense spending bills. It
contains funding for some very inventive programs and industries
located in my district and throughout Oregon that will prove vital to
strengthening our national security and military preparedness.
This conference report also provides funding to the Department of
Defense to begin researching and expanding its unexploded ordnance
cleanup capabilities. Recently a pilot program has been implemented for
the first wide area assessment which has already yielded valuable
information for improving our ordnance removal methods. It is my hope
that this is only the beginning of what will hopefully become a
comprehensive approach to cleaning up unexploded bombs here at home as
well as abroad.
Another important program that will receive funding from this bill is
the Northwest Manufacturing Initiative, which gives small businesses
from my area involved with defense and military applications the
ability to contract on a level playing field with the rest of the
defense industry. Through this program, a coordinated effort between
state, local, and the private industry, the Pacific Northwest is able
to make its contributions to our Nation's security. From this we can
ensure that the inventive and cost-effective solutions generated
locally are implemented into our national defense strategy.
Mr. JEFFERSON. Mr. Speaker, I wish to express my support for the
fiscal year 2007 Defense Appropriations bill.
Today we reaffirm our support and appreciation for the members of the
armed services. We have fully funded an across-the-board pay raise of
2.2 percent and increased military housing allowances. $2 billion in
funding will go to countering one of the gravest threats our soldiers
face in combat, the use of IEDs. An additional $3 billion will go to
outfitting our service members and their combat vehicles with stronger
armor. These are undoubtedly important priorities, and I support the
funding levels in the conference report.
I am pleased with the commitment we have shown to both the Navy and
to our Nation's shipbuilding industrial base. By funding five new ships
this fiscal year, as well as continuing to adequately fund ships
currently under construction like the LPD-17 and the LHA Replacement,
we are ensuring the Navy will maintain its prominence on the world
stage.
As our Nation is currently involved in a long-term war on multiple
fronts, the importance of this defense funding cannot be understated. I
am in favor of the conference report and I thank the Defense
appropriations subcommittee for its hard work.
Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to oppose the conference report for
the Fiscal Year 2007 Defense Appropriations Act.
Among other things, this bill contains $50 billion for the war in
Iraq, pushing the total amount U.S. taxpayers have paid for the Iraq
war and the war in Afghanistan to more than $500 billion. The vast
majority of these costs are for the Iraq war.
This conference report throws billions of dollars into the sands of
Iraq, while at the same time this Administration and the Republican
Congress call for drastic cuts to dozens of vital domestic programs.
This is immoral and wrong. We should be investing in schools and
health care for all Americans. Certainly, we should fully fund the
Department of Veterans Affairs, which the Republican-controlled
Congress has under-funded by $9 billion over the past 6 years.
In 2002, in the lead-up to the war, the Administration assured the
Congress and the American people that this war would be affordable.
How wrong they were! Not only is the Iraq war devastating the lives
of thousands of U.S. service members and Iraqis, it is devastating our
Nation's finances. The Administration must develop a plan to not only
pay for this misguided endeavor but also to bring our troops home.
Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my
time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the previous question is
ordered on the conference report.
There was no objection.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the conference report.
Pursuant to clause 10 of rule XX, the yeas and nays are ordered.
Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this question
will be postponed.
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