[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 76 (Tuesday, May 31, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1003-E1004]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2012

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. LAURA RICHARDSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 24, 2011

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 1540) to 
     authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2012 for military 
     activities of the Department of Defense and for military 
     construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for 
     fiscal year 2012, and for other purposes:

  Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of H.R. 1540, the 
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012, which provides 
$690 billion in budget authority for the Department of Defense and the 
national security programs of the Department of Energy.
  I thank Chairman McKeon and Ranking Member Smith for their hard work 
in bringing this bipartisan piece of legislation to the floor.
  Mr. Chair, I support this bill for three reasons: (1) it restores and 
enhances the readiness of our troops, equipment, and defense 
infrastructure; (2) it takes care of our military personnel and their 
families; and (3) it authorizes the needed investments to keep our 
nation strong, safe, and respected in the world.
  Let me briefly highlight some of the key provisions. This 
legislation:


                SUPPORTING OUR TROOPS AND THEIR FAMILIES

  Observes the President's request to provide a 1.6 percent pay raise 
for all service members.
  Provides new rights and protections for victims of sexual assault in 
the military by ensuring that victims have access to a military lawyer 
and makes certain that conversations between victims and DOD Safe 
Helpline counselors are maintained confidential.
  Allows sexual assault victims to transfer out of their base or unit.
  Requires more training of personnel for sexual assault prevention and 
recovery at all levels of our armed forces.
  This bill would also make students who are enrolled in a course of 
study that results in a degree in clinical psychology or social work 
eligible to receive a stipend.
  Protects against disproportionate increases in TRICARE Prime fees by 
stipulating that the percentage fee increase in any future year may not 
exceed the percentage increase in military retired pay for that year.


          PROTECTING OUR TROOPS AND SUPPORTING TROOP READINESS

  Provides $2.8 billion for measures to counter IED activities in Iraq 
and Afghanistan.
  Provides $3.2 billion for Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) 
vehicles.
  Provides an increase of $425 million for modernization of Abrams 
tanks and Bradley fighting vehicles.
  Authorizes $23 billion for the training of all active-duty and 
reserve forces to increase troop readiness.
  Provides $4.5 billion for Army and Marine Corps equipment reset and 
depot maintenance.
  Authorizes $6.6 billion to fund Navy ship and aircraft depot 
maintenance for both the active and reserve components.


                        RICHARDSON AMENDMENT #1

  I also support this bill because it includes an amendment that I 
offered to increase the effectiveness of the Northern Command 
(``NORTHCOM'') in fulfilling its critical mission of protecting the 
U.S. homeland in the event of war and in providing support to local, 
state, and federal authorities in times of national emergency. 
Specifically, my amendment would ensure that NORTHCOM (1) develops and 
has in place a leadership strategy that will strengthen and foster 
institutional and interpersonal relationships with state and local 
governments and (2) develops an instructional program to train key 
personnel how to lead effectively in the event of a disaster when they 
do not have command authority to dictate actions.
  The purpose for NORTHCOM is to bring the capabilities and the 
resources of the U.S. military to the assistance of the American people 
during a catastrophic disaster. NORTHCOM leaders will be much more 
effective in saving lives, protecting assets, and enhancing resilience 
after the disaster has occurred if they are trained in the techniques 
of effective engagement with civilian leadership. My amendment would 
ensure that such training will be available.


                        RICHARDSON AMENDMENT #2

  However, I am disappointed that a different amendment I offered to 
this bill was not made in order. This amendment would have instructed 
the TRANSPORTATION COMMAND (TRANSCOM) to update and expand the PORT 
LOOK 2008 Strategic Seaports study. This study remains a crucial tool 
to ensure that our ports are ready to respond in the case of an 
emergency. As we strive to improve our

[[Page E1004]]

infrastructure in and around our strategic ports, we must fully 
understand how the entire port area can serve our defense forces and 
what improvements are necessary.
  Although this amendment was not made in order, I will continue to 
work with my colleagues to ensure that port infrastructure receives the 
support it deserves.


                               CONCLUSION

  Mr. Chair, let me express my thanks to the Rules Committee for making 
the Richardson Amendment in order and to the Armed Services Committee 
for accepting it.
  In conclusion, I support H.R. 1540 because it restores and enhances 
the readiness of our troops, equipment, and defense infrastructure. It 
takes care of our military personnel and their families. And it 
authorizes the needed investments to keep our nation strong, safe, and 
respected in the world. I urge my colleagues to join me in voting for 
the bill on final passage.

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