[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 85 (Tuesday, June 14, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1088]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    MILITARY CONSTRUCTION AND VETERANS AFFAIRS AND RELATED AGENCIES 
                        APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2012

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                               speech of

                         HON. JAMES R. LANGEVIN

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 2, 2011

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2055) making 
     appropriations for military construction, the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year 
     ending September 30, 2012, and for other purposes:

  Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to the amendment to the 
Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies 
Appropriations Act that exempts various agencies from Section 526 of 
the Energy Independence and Security Act, a critical provision for our 
national security.
  This exemption will derail the government's efforts to strengthen 
national security through greenhouse gas reduction. Furthermore, many 
senior defense leaders do not want such provisions. During recent 
testimony before Energy & Commerce, Navy Deputy Assistant Secretary Tom 
Hicks stated the Defense Department was comfortable with Section 526 
and that the provision was an effective policy tool. Furthermore, it is 
important to note Section 526 actually supports the development of 
alternative domestic fuels; a point that many critics of this provision 
do not fully understand or articulate in their arguments against it.
  Allowing this amendment to become law will ultimately endanger our 
national security. I hope my colleagues can work together to reach a 
compromise to strengthen this energy security provision as this bill 
moves through the legislative process.

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