[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 76 (Tuesday, May 31, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E993-E997]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2012

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                     HON. HOWARD P. ``BUCK'' McKEON

                             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:

  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chair, I would like to submit the following exchange 
of letters:

                                         House of Representatives,


                               Committee on Homeland Security,

                                      Washington, DC, May 4, 2011.
     Hon. Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon,
     Chairman, House Armed Services Committee, Rayburn House 
         Office Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman McKeon: I write to you regarding H.R. 1540, 
     the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012. 
     I am aware that there are certain provisions in the 
     legislation which fall within the Rule X jurisdiction of the 
     Committee on Homeland Security.
       In the interest of permitting your committee to proceed 
     expeditiously with consideration of this important 
     legislation, I am waiving the Committee on Homeland 
     Security's jurisdiction pertaining to a sequential referral. 
     However, I do so with the understanding that the committee's 
     jurisdictional claims over subject matters contained in this 
     and similar legislation are in no way diminished or altered. 
     I request that you urge the Speaker to name members of this 
     committee to any conference committee which is named to 
     consider such provisions.
       Please place this letter into the committee report on H.R. 
     1540 and into the Congressional Record during consideration 
     of the measure on the House floor. Thank you for your 
     consideration of this matter.
           Sincerely,
                                                    Peter T. King,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                      Committee on Armed Services,


                                     House of Representatives,

                                     Washington, DC, May 16, 2011.
     Hon. Peter King,
     Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security, House of 
         Representatives, Ford Office Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for your letter regarding H.R. 
     1540, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
     2012. I am most appreciative of your decision not to request 
     a referral in the interest of expediting consideration of the 
     bill. I agree that by foregoing a sequential referral, the 
     Committee on Homeland Security is not waiving its 
     jurisdiction. Further, this exchange of letters will be 
     included in the committee report on the bill.
           Sincerely,
                                        Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                         House of Representatives,


                                 Committee on Foreign Affairs,

                                     Washington, DC, May 13, 2011.
     Hon. Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon,
     Chairman, Committee on Armed Services, House of 
         Representatives, Rayburn House Office Building, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman McKeon: I write to confirm our mutual 
     understanding regarding H.R. 1540, the National Defense 
     Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012. This legislation 
     contains subject matter within the jurisdiction of the 
     Foreign Affairs Committee. However, in order to expedite 
     Floor consideration of this important legislation, the 
     Committee will not markup this bill.
       The Committee takes this action with the mutual 
     understanding that the Committee's jurisdiction over this, 
     and similar legislation, is in no way diminished or altered. 
     That understanding includes the agreement reached with the 
     Armed Services Committee on the provisions provided under 
     separate cover.
       However, of particular concern to the Committee is Section 
     1034: Affirmation of Armed Conflict with al-Qaeda, the 
     Taliban, and associated Forces.
       The Committee agrees to the language in this provision. The 
     Armed Services Committee has recognized, and reaffirmed in 
     this exchange of letters, that the War Powers Resolution and 
     associated Authorizations for the Use of Military Force, such 
     as those contained in Public Law 107-40 (post-9/11) and 
     Public Law 107-243 (Iraq), are within the primary 
     jurisdiction of the Foreign Affairs Committee.
       Clause 1(i)(9) of Rule X of the Rules of the House of 
     Representatives states that the Foreign Affairs Committee is 
     assigned jurisdiction over ``Intervention abroad and 
     declarations of war.'' Authorizations for the use of military 
     force (such as H.J. Res. 64 and H.J. Res. 114 in the 107th 
     Congress) have been referred by the Parliamentarian solely to 
     the Foreign Affairs Committee.
       The Foreign Affairs Committee therefore requests that it be 
     included in any briefing by any Executive Branch agency, 
     including the Department of Defense, relating to the 
     Authorization for the Use of Military Force, including 
     operations or activities conducted pursuant to the 
     Authorization of Use of Military Force.
       The Committee reserves the right to seek appointment to any 
     House-Senate conference on this legislation, and requests 
     your support if such a request is made. I would appreciate 
     your including this letter in the Congressional Record during 
     consideration H.R. 1540 on the House Floor.
           Sincerely,
                                              Ileana Ros-Lehtinen,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                      Committee on Armed Services,


                                     House of Representatives,

                                     Washington, DC, May 16, 2011.
     Hon. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen,
     Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of 
         Representatives, Rayburn Office Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Ms. Chairman: Thank you for your letter regarding H.R. 
     1540, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
     2012. I agree that the Committee on Foreign Affairs has valid 
     jurisdictional claims to certain provisions in this important 
     legislation, and I am most appreciative of your decision not 
     to request a referral in the interest of expediting 
     consideration of the bill. I agree that by foregoing a 
     sequential referral, the Committee on Foreign Affairs is not 
     waiving its jurisdiction. Further, this exchange of letters 
     will be included in the committee report on the bill.
           Sincerely,
                                        Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                      Committee on Ways and Means,


                                     House of Representatives,

                                     Washington, DC, May 12, 2011.
     Hon. Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon,
     Chairman, Committee on Armed Services, Rayburn House Office 
         Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman McKeon: I am writing concerning H.R. 1540, 
     the ``National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
     2012.'' There are certain provisions in the legislation which 
     fall within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Ways and 
     Means under Rule X of the Rules of the U.S. House of 
     Representatives.
       As you know, the Committee on Ways and Means has 
     jurisdiction over part A of Title XVIII of the Social 
     Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.), and a provision in 
     H.R. 1540 concerning the transition of future Medicare 
     eligible Uniformed Services Family Health Plan enrollees to 
     TRICARE for life would fall within that jurisdiction. 
     Additionally, a provision requiring the assessment of the 
     national security risk of the United States' debt owned by 
     the People's Republic of China would fall under the 
     Committee's jurisdiction over the issuance and sale of bonded 
     U.S. debt. Lastly, the Committee has jurisdiction over 
     matters related to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and a 
     provision amending grants made in lieu of tax credits under 
     Section 1603 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 
     2009 would also fall under the Committee's jurisdiction.
       In order to expedite floor consideration of this important 
     legislation, I am willing to waive this Committee's right to 
     a sequential referral. This is being done with the 
     understanding that it does not in any way prejudice the 
     Committee on Ways and Means' jurisdictional prerogatives on 
     this or similar legislation. The Committee also reserves the 
     right to seek appointment of conferees to any House-Senate 
     conference and requests your support if such a request is 
     made.
       I would appreciate your response to this letter, confirming 
     this understanding with respect to H.R. 1540, and would ask 
     that a copy of our exchange of letters on this matter be 
     included in the Congressional Record during floor 
     consideration.
           Sincerely,
                                                        Dave Camp,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                      Committee on Armed Services,


                                     House of Representatives,

                                     Washington, DC, May 16, 2011.
     Hon. Dave Camp,
     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. 
     1540, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
     2012. I agree that the Committee on Ways and

[[Page E994]]

     Means has valid jurisdictional claims to certain provisions 
     in this important legislation, and I am most appreciative of 
     your decision not to request a referral in the interest of 
     expediting consideration of the bill. I agree that by 
     foregoing a sequential referral, the Committee on Ways and 
     Means is not waiving its jurisdiction. Further, this exchange 
     of letters will be included in the committee report on the 
     bill.
           Sincerely,
                                        Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

         House of Representatives, Committee on Oversight and 
           Government Reform,
                                     Washington, DC, May 12, 2011.
     Hon. Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon,
     Chairman, Committee on Armed Services, House of 
         Representatives, Rayburn House Office Building, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman McKeon: I am writing to you concerning the 
     bill H.R. 1540, the National Defense Authorization Act for 
     Fiscal Year 2012. There are certain provisions in the 
     legislation which fall within the Rule X jurisdiction of the 
     Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
       In the interest of permitting your committee to proceed 
     expeditiously to floor consideration of this important bill, 
     I am willing to waive this committee's right to sequential 
     referral. I do so with the understanding that by waiving 
     consideration of the bill, the Committee on Oversight and 
     Government Reform does not waive any future jurisdictional 
     claim over the subject matters contained in the bill which 
     fall within its Rule X jurisdiction. I request that you urge 
     the Speaker to name members of this committee to any 
     conference committee which is named to consider such 
     provisions.
       Please place this letter into the committee report on H.R. 
     1540 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 regarding this 
     matter and others between our respective committees.
           Sincerely,
                                                     Darrell Issa,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                      Committee on Armed Services,


                                     House of Representatives,

                                     Washington, DC, May 16, 2011.
     Hon. Darrell Issa,
     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. 
     1540, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
     2012. 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 request a referral in the interest of 
     expediting consideration of the bill. I agree that by 
     foregoing a sequential referral, the Committee on Oversight 
     and Government Reform is not waiving its jurisdiction. 
     Further, this exchange of letters will be included in the 
     committee report on the bill.
           Sincerely,
                                        Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon,

     Chairman.
                                  ____


         House of Representatives, Permanent Select Committee on 
           Intelligence,
                                     Washington, DC, May 12, 2011.
     Hon. Buck McKeon,
     Chairman, Committee on Armed Services, House of 
         Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: In recognition of the importance of 
     expediting the passage of H.R. 1540, the ``National Defense 
     Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012,'' the Permanent 
     Select Committee on Intelligence hereby waives further 
     consideration of the bill. The Committee has jurisdictional 
     interests in H.R. 1540, including intelligence and 
     intelligence-related authorizations and provisions contained 
     in the bill.
       The Committee takes this action only with the understanding 
     that this procedural route should not be construed to 
     prejudice the House Permanent Select Committee on 
     Intelligence's jurisdictional interest over this bill or any 
     similar bill and will not be considered as precedent for 
     consideration of matters of jurisdictional interest to the 
     Committee in the future. In addition, the Permanent Select 
     Committee on Intelligence will seek conferees on any 
     provisions of the bill that are within its jurisdiction 
     during any House-Senate conference that may be convened on 
     this legislation.
       Finally, I would ask that you include a copy of our 
     exchange of letters on this matter in the Congressional 
     Record during the House debate on H.R. 1540. I appreciate the 
     constructive work between our committees on this matter and 
     thank you for your consideration.
           Sincerely,
                                                      Mike Rogers,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                      Committee on Armed Services,


                                     House of Representatives,

                                     Washington, DC, May 16, 2011.
     Hon. Mike Rogers,
     Chairman, Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, House 
         of Representatives, U.S. Capitol Building, Washington, 
         DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for your letter regarding H.R. 
     1540, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
     2012. 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 request a referral in 
     the interest of expediting consideration of the bill. I agree 
     that by foregoing a sequential referral, the Permanent Select 
     Committee on Intelligence is not waiving its jurisdiction. 
     Further, this exchange of letters will be included in the 
     committee report on the bill.
           Sincerely,
                                        Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                         House of Representatives,


                             Committee on Energy and Commerce,

                                     Washington, DC, May 16, 2011.
     Hon. Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon,
     Chairman, Committee on Armed Services, Rayburn House Office 
         Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman McKeon: I write to confirm my understanding 
     regarding H.R. 1540, the National Defense Authorization Act 
     for Fiscal Year 2012. This legislation contains subject 
     matter within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Energy and 
     Commerce. However, in order to expedite floor consideration 
     of this legislation, the Committee waives consideration of 
     those provisions in the jurisdiction of our Committee where 
     we reviewed your language and reached an agreement on the 
     wording. The provisions where we waived our right to a 
     referral include:
       The travel, transportation, pay, and bonus provisions for 
     uniformed service members (Title VI);
       Assessment of High-Performance Computing (Sec. 31); and,
       An amendment allowing utilities to pass through tax 
     benefits to ratepayers in a lump sum.
       For these negotiated provisions, the Committee on Energy 
     and Commerce takes this action only with the understanding 
     that the Committee's jurisdictional interests over this and 
     similar legislation are in no way diminished or altered. For 
     any other provision that falls within the jurisdiction of the 
     Committee on Energy and Commerce and where our mutual 
     Committees have not come to a resolution, I reserve the right 
     to seek a referral of H.R. 1540 to consider those provisions.
       The Committee also reserves the right to seek appointment 
     to any House-Senate conference on this legislation and 
     requests your support if such a request is made. Finally, I 
     would appreciate your including this letter in the 
     Congressional Record during consideration of H.R. 1540 on the 
     House floor. Thank you for your attention to these matters.
           Sincerely,
                                                       Fred Upton,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                      Committee on Armed Services,


                                     House of Representatives,

                                     Washington, DC, May 16, 2011.
     Hon. Fred Upton,
     Chairman, Committee on Energy and Commerce, House of 
         Representatives, Rayburn Office Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for your letter regarding H.R. 
     1540, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
     2012. I agree that the Committee on Energy and Commerce has 
     valid jurisdictional claims to certain provisions in this 
     important legislation, and I am most appreciative of your 
     decision not to request a referral in the interest of 
     expediting consideration of the bill. I agree that by 
     foregoing a sequential referral, the Committee on Energy and 
     Commerce is not waiving its jurisdiction. Further, this 
     exchange of letters will be included in the committee report 
     on the bill.
           Sincerely,
                                        Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                         House of Representatives,


                              Committee on Financial Services,

                                     Washington, DC, May 10, 2011.
     Hon. Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon,
     Chairman, Committee on Armed Services, Rayburn House Office 
         Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman McKeon: I am writing concerning the 
     jurisdictional interest of the Committee on Financial 
     Services in an amendment to be offered by Rep. Walter Jones 
     at your scheduled mark-up of H.R. 1540, the National Defense 
     Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012, on Wednesday, May 11, 
     2011. Rep. Jones' amendment would allow the military 
     exchanges to have access to credit available through the 
     Federal Financing Bank. As such, the amendment clearly falls 
     within the Committee on Financial Services' jurisdiction over 
     banks, banking, money and credit pursuant to rule X of the 
     Rules of the House of Representatives.
       Our Committee recognizes the importance of H.R. 1540 and 
     the need for the legislation to move expeditiously. 
     Therefore, while the Committee on Financial Services has 
     jurisdiction over the subject matter of Rep. Jones' amendment 
     under rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives, I 
     do not intend to request a sequential referral of the 
     legislation if it includes the amendment. By agreeing to 
     waive its right to a sequential referral of the bill, the 
     Committee on Financial Services does not waive its 
     jurisdiction over H.R. 1540 if Rep. Jones' amendment or other 
     similar amendment is adopted. In addition, I make this 
     commitment with the understanding that this will not 
     prejudice the Committee on Financial Services with respect to 
     its prerogatives on this or similar legislation. Further, the 
     Committee on Financial Services reserves its authority to

[[Page E995]]

     seek conferees on any provisions of the bill that are within 
     its jurisdiction during any House-Senate conference that may 
     be convened on this legislation. I ask your commitment to 
     support any request by the Committee on Financial Services 
     for conferees on H.R. 1540 or related legislation.
       Lastly, I request that you include this letter and your 
     response in your committee's report on and in the 
     Congressional Record during consideration of the legislation 
     on the House floor.
       Thank you for your attention to these matters.
           Sincerely,
                                                   Spencer Bachus,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                      Committee on Armed Services,


                                     House of Representatives,

                                     Washington, DC, May 16, 2011.
     Hon. Spencer Bachus,
     Chairman, Committee on Financial Services, U.S. House of 
         Representatives, Rayburn Office Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for your letter regarding H.R. 
     1540, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
     2012. I agree that the Committee on Financial Services has 
     valid jurisdictional claims to a certain provision in this 
     important legislation, and I am most appreciative of your 
     decision not to request a referral in the interest of 
     expediting consideration of the bill. I agree that by 
     foregoing a sequential referral, the Committee on Financial 
     Services is not waiving its jurisdiction. Further, this 
     exchange of letters will be included in the committee report 
     on the bill.
           Sincerely,
                                        Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                         House of Representatives,


                               Committee on Natural Resources,

                                     Washington, DC, May 13, 2011.
     Hon. Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon,
     Chairman, Committee on Armed Services, House of 
         Representatives, Rayburn House Office Building, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: I am writing concerning the Committee on 
     Natural Resources' jurisdiction interest in H.R. 1540, the 
     National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012.
       To allow the Armed Services Committee to proceed 
     expeditiously to floor consideration of this important bill, 
     the Committee on Natural Resources will waive its right to a 
     sequential referral of H.R. 1540. I do so with the 
     understanding that by waiving consideration of the bill, the 
     Committee on Natural Resources does not waive any future 
     jurisdictional claim over the subject matters contained in 
     the bill that fall within its Rule X jurisdiction. I also 
     request that you urge the Speaker to name members of this 
     Committee to any conference committee named to consider H.R. 
     1540.
       I would appreciate you including this letter in the Armed 
     Service Committee's report on H.R. 1540. Thank you for the 
     cooperative spirit in which you and your able staff have 
     worked regarding this matter and others between our 
     respective committees.
           Sincerely,
                                                     Doc Hastings,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                      Committee on Armed Services,


                                     House of Representatives,

                                     Washington, DC, May 16, 2011.
     Hon. Doc Hastings,
     Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources, House of 
         Representatives, Longworth Office Building, Washington, 
         DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for your letter regarding H.R. 
     1540, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
     2012. 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 request a referral in the interest of 
     expediting consideration of the bill. I agree that by 
     foregoing a sequential referral, the Committee on Natural 
     Resources is not waiving its jurisdiction. Further, this 
     exchange of letters will be included in the committee report 
     on the bill.
           Sincerely,
                                        Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

         Committee on Education and the Workforce, House of 
           Representatives,
                                     Washington, DC, May 12, 2011.
     Hon. Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon,
     Chairman, Committee on Armed Services, House of 
         Representatives, Rayburn House Office Building, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman McKeon: I am writing to you concerning the 
     jurisdictional interest of the Committee on Education and the 
     Workforce in matters being considered in H.R. 1540, the 
     National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012.
       Our committee recognizes the importance of H.R. 1540 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 Education and the Workforce, 
     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 Education and the Workforce Committee 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,
                                                       John Kline,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                      Committee on Armed Services,


                                     House of Representatives,

                                     Washington, DC, May 16, 2011.
     Hon. John Kline,
     Chairman, Committee on Education and the Workforce, House of 
         Representatives, Rayburn Office Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for your letter regarding H.R. 
     1540, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
     2012. I agree that the Committee on Education and the 
     Workforce has valid jurisdictional claims to certain 
     provisions in this important legislation, and I am most 
     appreciative of your decision not to request a referral in 
     the interest of expediting consideration of the bill. I agree 
     that by foregoing a sequential referral, the Committee on 
     Education and the Workforce is not waiving its jurisdiction. 
     Further, this exchange of letters will be included in the 
     committee report on the bill.
           Sincerely,
                                        Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                         House of Representatives,


                                      Committee on the Budget,

                                     Washington, DC, May 12, 2011.
     Hon. Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon,
     Chairman, Committee on Armed Services, House of 
         Representatives, Rayburn House Office Building, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman McKeon: I write to confirm our mutual 
     understanding regarding H.R. 1540, the National Defense 
     Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012. This legislation 
     contains subject matter within the jurisdiction of the 
     Committee on the Budget. However, in order to expedite floor 
     consideration of this important legislation, the committee 
     waives consideration of the bill.
       The Committee on the Budget takes this action only with the 
     understanding that the committee's jurisdictional interests 
     over this and similar legislation are in no way diminished or 
     altered.
       The committee also reserves the right to seek appointment 
     to any House-Senate conference on this legislation and 
     requests your support if such a request is made. Finally, I 
     would appreciate your including this letter in the 
     Congressional Record during consideration of H.R. 1540 on the 
     House Floor. Thank you for your attention to these matters.
           Sincerely,

                                                    Paul Ryan,

                                                         Chairman,
     Committee on the Budget.
                                  ____

                                      Committee on Armed Services,


                                     House of Representatives,

                                     Washington, DC, May 16, 2011.
     Hon. Paul Ryan,
     Chairman, Committee on the Budget, House of Representatives, 
         Longworth Office Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for your letter regarding H.R. 
     1540, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
     2012. I agree that the Committee on the Budget has valid 
     jurisdictional claims to certain provisions in this important 
     legislation, and I am most appreciative of your decision not 
     to request a referral in the interest of expediting 
     consideration of the bill. I agree that by foregoing a 
     sequential referral, the Committee on the Budget is not 
     waiving its jurisdiction. Further, this exchange of letters 
     will be included in the committee report on the bill.
           Sincerely,
                                        Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

         House of Representatives, Committee on Transportation and 
           Infrastructure,
                                     Washington, DC, May 12, 2011.
     Hon. Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon,
     Chairman, Committee on Armed Services, House of 
         Representatives, Rayburn House Office Building, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman McKeon: I write concerning H.R. 1540, the 
     National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012, as 
     amended. There are certain provisions in the legislation 
     which fall within the Rule X jurisdiction of the Committee on 
     Transportation and Infrastructure.
       In the interest of permitting your committee to proceed 
     expeditiously to floor consideration, I am willing to waive 
     the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure's right to 
     sequential referral. I do so with the understanding that by 
     waiving consideration of the bill the Committee on 
     Transportation and Infrastructure does not waive any future 
     jurisdictional claim over the subject matters contained in 
     the bill which fall within its Rule X jurisdiction. I request 
     you urge the Speaker to name members of this committee to any 
     conference committee named to consider such provisions.

[[Page E996]]

       Please place this letter into the committee report on H.R. 
     1540 and into the Congressional Record during consideration 
     of the measure on the House floor.
           Sincerely,
                                                     John L. Mica,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                      Committee on Armed Services,


                                     House of Representatives,

                                     Washington, DC, May 16, 2011.
     Hon. John Mica,
     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. 
     1540, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
     2012. 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 request a referral in 
     the interest of expediting consideration of the bill. I agree 
     that by foregoing a sequential referral, the Committee on 
     Transportation and Infrastructure is not waiving its 
     jurisdiction. Further, this exchange of letters will be 
     included in the committee report on the bill.
           Sincerely,
                                        Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

         House of Representatives, Committee on Science, Space, 
           and Technology,
                                     Washington, DC, May 12, 2011.
     Hon. Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon,
     Chairman, Committee on Armed Services, House of 
         Representatives, Rayburn House Office Building, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman McKeon: I am writing to you concerning the 
     jurisdictional interest of the Committee on Science, Space, 
     and Technology in H.R. 1540, the National Defense 
     Authorization Act for Fiscal Year of 2011.
       Our Committee recognizes the importance of H.R. 1540 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 is, of course, 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, Space, and 
     Technology.
       Further, I request your support for the appointment of 
     Science, Space, and Technology Committee conferees during any 
     House-Senate conference convened on this legislation. I also 
     ask that a copy of this letter and your response 
     acknowledging our jurisdictional interest be placed in the 
     legislative report on H.R. 1540 and the Congressional Record 
     during consideration of this bill.
       I look forward to working with you on this important 
     legislation.
           Sincerely,
                                                    Ralph M. Hall,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                      Committee on Armed Services,


                                     House of Representatives,

                                     Washington, DC, May 16, 2011.
     Hon. Ralph Hall,
     Chairman, Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, House 
         of Representatives, Rayburn Office Building, Washington, 
         DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for your letter regarding H.R. 
     1540, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
     2012. I agree that the Committee on Science, Space, and 
     Technology has valid jurisdictional claims to certain 
     provisions in this important legislation, and I am most 
     appreciative of your decision not to request a referral in 
     the interest of expediting consideration of the bill. I agree 
     that by foregoing a sequential referral, the Committee on 
     Science, Space, and Technology is not waiving its 
     jurisdiction. Further, this exchange of letters will be 
     included in the committee report on the bill.
           Sincerely,
                                        Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                         House of Representatives,


                                  Committee on Small Business,

                                     Washington, DC, May 12, 2011.
     Hon. Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon,
     Chairman, Committee on Armed Services, House of 
         Representatives, Rayburn House Office Building, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman McKeon: I am writing to you concerning the 
     bill H.R. 1540, the National Defense Authorization Act for 
     Fiscal Year 2012. There are certain provisions in the 
     legislation which fall within Rule X (p) of the Committee on 
     Small Business.
       In the interest of permitting the Committee on Armed 
     Services to proceed expeditiously to floor consideration of 
     this important bill, I am willing to waive the right of the 
     Committee on Small Business to sequential referral as a 
     result of the agreement to address my concerns with respect 
     to section 804 of the bill. I do so with the understanding 
     that by waiving consideration of the bill the Committee on 
     Small Business does not waive any future jurisdictional claim 
     over the subject matters contained in the bill which fall 
     with its Rule X (p) jurisdiction. I request that you urge the 
     Speaker to name members of this Committee to any conference 
     committee which is named to consider such provisions.
       Please place this letter into the committee report on H.R. 
     1540 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 regarding this 
     issue and others between our respective committees.
           Sincerely,
                                                       Sam Graves,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                      Committee on Armed Services,


                                     House of Representatives,

                                     Washington, DC, May 16, 2011.
     Hon. Sam Graves,
     Chairman, Committee on Small Business, House of 
         Representatives, Rayburn Office Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for your letter regarding H.R. 
     1540, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
     2012. I agree that the Committee on Small Business has valid 
     jurisdictional claims to certain provisions in this important 
     legislation, and I am most appreciative of your decision not 
     to request a referral in the interest of expediting 
     consideration of the bill. I agree that by foregoing a 
     sequential referral, the Committee on Small Business is not 
     waiving its jurisdiction. Further, this exchange of letters 
     will be included in the committee report on the bill.
           Sincerely,
                                        Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                         House of Representatives,


                               Committee on Veterans' Affairs,

                                     Washington, DC, May 13, 2011.
     Hon. Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon,
     Chairman, Committee on Armed Services, House of 
         Representatives, Rayburn House Office Building, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman McKeon: I write to confirm our mutual 
     understanding regarding H.R. 1540, the National Defense 
     Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012. This legislation 
     contains subject matter within the jurisdiction of House 
     Veterans' Affairs Committee. However, in order to expedite 
     floor consideration of this important legislation, the 
     committee waives consideration of the bill.
       The House Veterans' Affairs Committee takes this action 
     only with the understanding that the committee's 
     jurisdictional interests over this and similar legislation 
     are in no way diminished or altered.
       The committee also reserves the right to seek appointment 
     to any House-Senate conference on this legislation and 
     requests your support if such a request is made. Finally, I 
     would appreciate your including this letter in the 
     Congressional Record during consideration of H.R. 1540 on the 
     House Floor. Thank you for your attention to these matters.
           Sincerely,
                                                      Jeff Miller,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                      Committee on Armed Services,


                                     House of Representatives,

                                     Washington, DC, May 16, 2011.
     Hon. Jeff Miller,
     Chairman, Committee on Veterans' Affairs, House of 
         Representatives, Cannon Office Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for your letter regarding H.R. 
     1540, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
     2012. 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 request a referral in the interest of 
     expediting consideration of the bill. I agree that by 
     foregoing a sequential referral, the Committee on Veterans' 
     Affairs is not waiving its jurisdiction. Further, this 
     exchange of letters will be included in the committee report 
     on the bill.
           Sincerely,
                                        Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                         House of Representatives,


                                   Committee on the Judiciary,

                                     Washington, DC, May 10, 2011.
     Hon. Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon,
     Chairman, Committee on Armed Services, House of 
         Representatives, Rayburn House Office Building, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman McKeon: I am writing to you concerning the 
     jurisdictional interest of Committee on the Judiciary in 
     matters being considered in H.R. 1540, the ``National Defense 
     Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012.'' As a result of your 
     having consulted with us on provisions in H.R. 1540 that fall 
     within the Rule X jurisdiction of the Committee on the 
     Judiciary, I do not intend to request a sequential referral 
     in order that this bill may proceed expeditiously to the 
     House floor for consideration.
       The Judiciary Committee takes this action with our mutual 
     understanding that by foregoing consideration of H.R. 1540 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 appreciate your including this letter and a copy of your 
     response acknowledging our jurisdictional interest on this 
     matter in your committee report and in the Congressional 
     Record during floor consideration of H.R. 1540.

[[Page E997]]

       Thank you for your consideration in this matter.
           Sincerely,
                                                      Lamar Smith,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                      Committee on Armed Services,


                                     House of Representatives,

                                     Washington, DC, May 16, 2011.
     Hon. Lamar Smith,
     Chairman, Committee on the Judiciary, House of 
         Representatives, Rayburn Office Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for your letter regarding H.R. 
     1540, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
     2012. 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 request a referral in the interest of expediting 
     consideration of the bill. I agree that by foregoing a 
     sequential referral, the Committee on the Judiciary is not 
     waiving its jurisdiction. Further, this exchange of letters 
     will be included in the committee report on the bill.
           Sincerely,
                                        Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon,
     Chairman.

                          ____________________