[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 88 (Monday, June 14, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1084-E1086]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2011

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. IKE SKELTON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 27, 2010

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 5136) to 
     authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2011 for military 
     activities of the Department of Defense, to prescribe 
     military personnel strengths for such fiscal year., and for 
     other purposes:
  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chair, I would like to submit the following exchange 
of letters:

         House Committee on Armed Services, House of 
           Representatives,
                                     Washington, DC, May 21, 2010.
     Hon. John Conyers Jr.,
     Chairman, Committee on the Judiciary, House of 
         Representatives, Rayburn Office Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for your letter regarding H.R. 
     5136, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
     2011. I agree that the Committee on the Judiciary has valid 
     jurisdictional claims to certain provisions in this important 
     legislation, and I am most appreciative of your decision not 
     to schedule a mark-up of this bill in the interest of 
     expediting consideration. I agree that by agreeing to waive 
     consideration of certain provisions of the bill, the 
     Committee on the Judiciary is not waiving its jurisdiction 
     over these matters. Should this bill or similar legislation 
     be the subject of a House-Senate conference, I will support 
     the appointment of conferees from the Committee on the 
     Judiciary.
       This exchange of letters will be included in the committee 
     report on the bill.
                                                      Ike Skelton,
                                                         Chairman.
                                  ____
                                  
                                         House of Representatives,


                                   Committee on the Judiciary,

                                     Washington, DC, May 21, 2010.
     Hon. Ike Skelton,
     Chairman, Committee on Armed Services, House of 
         Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Skelton: This is to advise you that, as a 
     result of your having consulted with us on provisions in H.R. 
     5136, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
     2011, that fall within the rule X jurisdiction of the 
     Committee on the Judiciary, we are able to agree to waive 
     seeking a formal referral of the bill, in order that it may 
     proceed without delay to the House floor for consideration.
       The Judiciary Committee takes this action with our mutual 
     understanding that by foregoing consideration of H.R. 5136 at 
     this time, we do not waive any jurisdiction over subject 
     matter contained in this or similar legislation, and that our 
     Committee will be appropriately consulted and involved as the 
     bill or similar legislation moves forward, so that we may 
     address any remaining issues in our jurisdiction. Our 
     Committee also reserves the right to seek appointment of an 
     appropriate number of conferees to any House-Senate 
     conference involving this or similar legislation, and 
     requests your support for any such request.
       I would appreciate your including this letter in the 
     Congressional Record during consideration of the bill on the 
     House floor. Thank you for your attention to this request, 
     and for the cooperative relationship between our two 
     committees.
           Sincerely,
                                                John Conyers, Jr.,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                         House of Representatives,


                               Committee on Natural Resources,

                                     Washington, DC, May 20, 2010.
     Hon. Ike Skelton,
     Chairman, Committee on Armed Services,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for the opportunity to review 
     the text of H.R. 5136, the National Defense Authorization Act 
     for Fiscal Year 2011, for provisions which are within the 
     jurisdiction of the Committee on Natural Resources. Among 
     these provisions are those dealing with compensation and 
     benefits for the NOAA Corps, as well as a report on civilian 
     infrastructure needs for Guam in light of the upcoming 
     military realignment in the Pacific.
       Because of the continued cooperation and consideration that 
     you have afforded me and my staff in developing these 
     provisions, I will not seek a sequential referral of H.R. 
     5136 based on their inclusion in the bill. Of course, this 
     waiver is not intended to prejudice any future jurisdictional 
     claims over these provisions or similar language. I also 
     reserve the right to seek to have conferees named from the 
     Committee on Natural Resources on these provisions, and 
     request your support if such a request is made.
       Please place this letter into the committee report on H.R. 
     5136 and the Congressional Record during consideration of the 
     measure on the House floor. Thank you for the cooperative 
     spirit in which you have worked regarding this matter and 
     others between our respective committees.
       With warm regards, I am
           Sincerely,
                                               Nick J. Rahall, II,
     Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources.
                                  ____

         House Committee on Armed Services, House of 
           Representatives,
                                     Washington, DC, May 21, 2010.
     Hon. Nick J. Rahall II,
     Committee on Natural Resources, House of Representatives, 
         Longworth Office Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for your letter regarding H.R. 
     5136, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
     2011. I agree that the Committee on Natural Resources has 
     valid jurisdictional claims to certain provisions in this 
     important legislation, and I am most appreciative of your 
     decision not to schedule a mark-up of this bill in the 
     interest of expediting consideration. I agree that by 
     agreeing to waive consideration of certain provisions of the 
     bill, the Committee on Natural Resources is not waiving its 
     jurisdiction over these matters. Should this bill or similar 
     legislation be the subject of a House-Senate conference, I 
     will support the appointment of conferees from the Committee 
     on Natural Resources.
       This exchange of letters will be included in the committee 
     report on the bill.
           Very truly yours,
                                                      Ike Skelton,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

         House of Representatives, Committee on Oversight and 
           Government Reform,
                                     Washington, DC, May 21, 2010.
     Hon. Ike Skelton,
     Chairman, Committee on Armed Services, Rayburn House Office 
         Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Skelton: I am writing about H.R. 5136, the 
     National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011. I 
     appreciate your efforts to consult with the Committee on 
     Oversight and Government Reform regarding those provisions of 
     H.R. 5136 that fall within the Oversight Committee's 
     jurisdiction. These provisions involve the federal civil 
     service and federal acquisition policies, among other things.
       In the interest of expediting consideration of H.R. 5136, 
     the Oversight Committee will not request a sequential 
     referral of this bill. I would, however, request your support 
     for the appointment of conferees from the Oversight Committee 
     should H.R. 5136 or a similar Senate bill be considered in 
     conference with the Senate. Moreover, this letter should not 
     be construed as a waiver of the Oversight Committee's 
     legislative jurisdiction over subjects addressed in H.R. 5136 
     that fall within the jurisdiction of the Oversight Committee.
       Finally, I request that you include our exchange of letters 
     on this matter in the Committee Report on H.R. 5136 and in 
     the Congressional Record during consideration of this 
     legislation on the House floor. Again, I appreciate your 
     willingness to consult the Committee on these matters.
           Sincerely,
                                                   Edolphus Towns,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

         House Committee on Armed Services, House of 
           Representatives,
                                     Washington, DC, May 21, 2010.
     Hon. Edolphus Towns,
     Chairman, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, House 
         of Representatives, Rayburn Office Building, Washington, 
         DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for your letter regarding H.R. 
     5136, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
     2011. I agree that the Committee on Oversight and Government 
     Reform has valid jurisdictional claims to certain provisions 
     in this important legislation, and I am most appreciative of 
     your decision not to schedule a mark-up of this bill in the 
     interest of expediting consideration. I agree that by 
     agreeing to waive

[[Page E1085]]

     consideration of certain provisions of the bill, the 
     Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is not waiving 
     its jurisdiction over these matters. Should this bill or 
     similar legislation be the subject of a House-Senate 
     conference, I will support the appointment of conferees from 
     the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
       This exchange of letters will be included in the committee 
     report on the bill.
           Very truly yours,
                                                      Ike Skelton,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

         House of Representatives, Permanent Select Committee on 
           Intelligence,
                                     Washington, DC, May 21, 2010.
     Hon. Ike Skelton,
     Chairman, House Armed Services Committee, Rayburn House 
         Office Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: I write concerning the jurisdictional 
     interest of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence in 
     matters being considered in H.R. 5136, the National Defense 
     Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011.
       The Committee recognizes the importance of H.R. 5136 and 
     the need for the legislation to move expeditiously. 
     Therefore, while the Permanent Select Committee on 
     Intelligence has valid claim to jurisdiction over the bill, I 
     do not intend to request a sequential referral. My decision 
     to waive further consideration of H.R. 5136 is conditional on 
     the mutual understanding that no part of this legislation 
     waives, reduces, or otherwise affects the jurisdiction of the 
     Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
       I respectfully request that a copy of this letter and your 
     response acknowledging this Committee's jurisdictional 
     interest will be included in the Committee Report and as part 
     of the Congressional Record during consideration of this bill 
     by the House.
       The Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence also asks 
     that you support my request to include conferees on the 
     provisions over which we have jurisdiction during any 
     conference between the House and the Senate.
       I thank you for your continued leadership.
           Sincerely,
                                                  Silvestre Reyes,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

         House Committee on Armed Services, House of 
           Representatives,
                                     Washington, DC, May 21, 2010.
     Hon. Silvestre Reyes,
     Chairman, Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, House 
         of Representatives, The Capitol, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for your letter regarding H.R. 
     5136, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
     2011. I agree that the Permanent Select Committee on 
     Intelligence has valid jurisdictional claims to certain 
     provisions in this important legislation, and I am most 
     appreciative of your decision not to schedule a mark-up of 
     this bill in the interest of expediting consideration. I 
     agree that by agreeing to waive consideration of certain 
     provisions of the bill, the Permanent Select Committee on 
     Intelligence is not waiving its jurisdiction over these 
     matters. Should this bill or similar legislation be the 
     subject of a House-Senate conference, I will support the 
     appointment of conferees from the Permanent Select Committee 
     on Intelligence.
       This exchange of letters will be included in the committee 
     report on the bill.
           Very truly yours,
                                                      Ike Skelton,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

         House of Representatives, Committee on Science and 
           Technology,
                                     Washington, DC, May 19, 2010.
     Hon. Ike Skelton,
     Chairman, Committee on Armed Services, House of 
         Representatives, Rayburn House Office Building, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Skelton: I am writing to you concerning the 
     jurisdictional interest of the Committee on Science and 
     Technology in H.R. 5136, the National Defense Authorization 
     Act for Fiscal Year 2011.
       Our committee recognizes the importance of H.R. 5136 and 
     the need for the legislation to move expeditiously. 
     Therefore, while we have a valid claim to jurisdiction over 
     the bill, I do not intend to request a sequential referral. 
     This, of course, is conditional on our mutual understanding 
     that nothing in this legislation or my decision to forego a 
     sequential referral waives, reduces or otherwise affects the 
     jurisdiction of the Committee on Science and Technology, and 
     that a copy of this letter and your response acknowledging 
     our jurisdictional interest will be included in the Committee 
     Report and as part of the Congressional Record during 
     consideration of this bill by the House.
       The Committee on Science and. Technology also asks that you 
     support our request to be conferees on the provisions over 
     which we have jurisdiction during any House-Senate 
     conference.
       Thank you for your consideration in this matter.
           Sincerely,
                                                      Bart Gordon,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

         House Committee on Armed Services, House of 
           Representatives,
                                     Washington, DC, May 21, 2010.
     Hon. Bart Gordon,
     Chairman, Committee on Science and Technology, House of 
         Representatives, Rayburn Office Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for your letter regarding H.R. 
     5136, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
     2011. I agree that the Committee on Science and Technology 
     has valid jurisdictional claims to certain provisions in this 
     important legislation, and I am most appreciative of your 
     decision not to schedule a mark-up of this bill in the 
     interest of expediting consideration. I agree that by 
     agreeing to waive consideration of certain provisions of the 
     bill, the Committee on Science and Technology is not waiving 
     its jurisdiction over these matters. Should this bill or 
     similar legislation be the subject of a House-Senate 
     conference, I will support the appointment of conferees from 
     the Committee on Science and Technology.
       This exchange of letters will be included in the committee 
     report on the bill.
           Very truly yours,
                                                      Ike Skelton,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

         House of Representatives, Committee on Transportation and 
           Infrastructure,
                                     Washington, DC, May 21, 2010.
     Hon. Ike Skelton,
     Chairman, House Armed Services Committee, Rayburn House 
         Office Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Skelton: I write to you regarding H.R. 5136, 
     the ``National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
     2011''.
       H.R. 5136 contains provisions that fall within the 
     jurisdiction of the Committee on Transportation and 
     Infrastructure. I recognize and appreciate your desire to 
     bring this legislation before the House in an expeditious 
     manner and, accordingly, I will not seek a sequential 
     referral of the bill. However, I agree to waive consideration 
     of this bill with the mutual understanding that my decision 
     to forgo a sequential referral of the bill does not waive, 
     reduce, or otherwise affect the jurisdiction of the Committee 
     on Transportation and Infrastructure over H.R. 5136.
       Further, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 
     reserves the right to seek the appointment of conferees 
     during any House-Senate conference convened on this 
     legislation on provisions of the bill that are within the 
     Committee's jurisdiction. I ask for your commitment to 
     support any request by the Committee on Transportation and 
     Infrastructure for the appointment of conferees on H.R. 5136 
     or similar legislation.
       Please place a copy of this letter and your response 
     acknowledging the Committee on Transportation and 
     Infrastructure's jurisdictional interest in the Committee 
     Report on H.R. 5136 and in the Congressional Record during 
     consideration of the measure in the House.
       I look forward to working with you as we prepare to pass 
     this important legislation.
           Sincerely,
                                          James L. Oberstar, M.C.,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

         House Committee on Armed Services, House of 
           Representatives,
                                     Washington, DC, May 21, 2010.
     Hon. James L. Oberstar,
     Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, 
         House of Representatives, Rayburn Office Building, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for your letter regarding H.R. 
     5136, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
     2011. I agree that the Committee on Transportation and 
     Infrastructure has valid jurisdictional claims to certain 
     provisions in this important legislation, and I am most 
     appreciative of your decision not to schedule a mark-up of 
     this bill in the interest of expediting consideration. I 
     agree that by agreeing to waive consideration of certain 
     provisions of the bill, the Committee on Transportation and 
     Infrastructure is not waiving its jurisdiction over these 
     matters. Should this bill or similar legislation be the 
     subject of a House-Senate conference, I will support the 
     appointment of conferees from the Committee on Transportation 
     and Infrastructure.
       This exchange of letters will be included in the committee 
     report on the bill.
           Very truly yours,
                                                      Ike Skelton,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                         House of Representatives,


                               Committee on Veterans' Affairs,

                                     Washington, DC, May 20, 2010.
     Hon. Ike Skelton,
     Chairman, Committee on Armed Services, Rayburn Building, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Skelton: I am writing to you concerning H.R. 
     5136, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
     2011. There are certain provisions in the legislation which 
     fall within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Veterans' 
     Affairs.
       In the interest of permitting your Committee to proceed 
     expeditiously to floor consideration of this important bill, 
     the Committee on Veterans' Affairs agrees not to request a 
     sequential referral. By waiving consideration of H.R. 5136, 
     the Committee on Veterans' Affairs does not waive any future 
     jurisdictional claim over any subject matter contained in the 
     bill which falls within its jurisdiction. The Committee on 
     Veterans' Affairs reserves its right to seek conferees on any 
     provisions within its jurisdiction which are considered in a 
     House-Senate conference,

[[Page E1086]]

     and requests your support if such a request is made.
       Please place this letter into the committee report on H.R. 
     5136 and into the Congressional Record during consideration 
     of the measure on the House floor. Thank you for the 
     cooperative spirit in which you have worked with the 
     Committee on Veterans' Affairs regarding this matter and 
     others between our respective committees.
           Sincerely,
                                                       Bob Filner,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

         House Committee on Armed Services, House of 
           Representatives,
                                     Washington, DC, May 21, 2010.
     Hon. Bob Filner,
     Chairman, Committee on Veterans' Affairs, House of 
         Representatives, Cannon Office Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for your letter regarding H.R. 
     5136, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
     2011. I agree that the Committee on Veterans' Affairs has 
     valid jurisdictional claims to certain provisions in this 
     important legislation, and I am most appreciative of your 
     decision not to schedule a mark-up of this bill in the 
     interest of expediting consideration. I agree that by 
     agreeing to waive consideration of certain provisions of the 
     bill, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs is not waiving its 
     jurisdiction over these matters. Should this bill or similar 
     legislation be the subject of a House-Senate conference, I 
     will support the appointment of conferees from the Committee 
     on Veterans' Affairs.
       This exchange of letters will be included in the committee 
     report on the bill.
           Very truly yours,
                                                      Ike Skelton,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                         House of Representatives,


                                  Committee on Ways and Means,

                                     Washington, DC, May 20, 2010.
     Hon. Ike Skelton,
     Chairman, Committee on Armed Services, House of 
         Representatives, Rayburn House Office Building, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: I am writing to you concerning the 
     jurisdictional interest of the Committee on Ways and Means in 
     matters being considered in H.R. 5136, the National Defense 
     Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011.
       Our Committee recognizes the importance of H.R. 5136 and 
     the need for the legislation to move expeditiously. 
     Therefore, while we have valid claims to jurisdiction over 
     the bill, I do not intend to request a sequential referral. 
     This, of course, is conditional on our mutual understanding 
     that nothing in this legislation or my decision to forego a 
     sequential referral waives, reduces, or otherwise affects the 
     jurisdiction of the Committee on Ways and Means, and that a 
     copy of this letter and your response acknowledging our 
     jurisdictional interest will be included in the Committee 
     Report and as part of the Congressional Record during 
     consideration of this bill by the House.
       I also wish to commend you for including in H.R. 5136, a 
     requirement that the Secretary of Defense, in consultation 
     with the U.S. Trade Representative, consider the effect that 
     other countries' trade policies have on the ability of the 
     United States to obtain rare earth minerals. Not only are 
     those minerals critically important for many defense 
     applications, they are also critical for many other high-tech 
     applications such as wind turbine and hybrid gasoline-
     electric automobiles--and, as a result, to U.S. manufacturing 
     competitiveness.
       Thank you for your consideration in this matter.
           Sincerely,
                                                  Sander M. Levin,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

         House Committee on Armed Services, House of 
           Representatives,
                                     Washington, DC, May 21, 2010.
     Hon. Sander M. Levin,
     Chairman, Committee on Ways and Means, House of 
         Representatives, Longworth Office Building, Washington, 
         DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for your letter regarding H.R. 
     5136, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
     2011. I agree that the Committee on Ways and Means has valid 
     jurisdictional claims to certain provisions in this important 
     legislation, and I am most appreciative of your decision not 
     to schedule a mark-up of this bill in the interest of 
     expediting consideration. I agree that by agreeing to waive 
     consideration of certain provisions of the bill, the 
     Committee on Ways and Means is not waiving its jurisdiction 
     over these matters. Should this bill or similar legislation 
     be the subject of a House-Senate conference, I will support 
     the appointment of conferees from the Committee on Ways and 
     Means.
       This exchange of letters will be included in the committee 
     report on the bill.
           Very truly yours,
                                                      Ike Skelton,
     Chairman.

                          ____________________