[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 196 (Monday, December 19, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2310]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 1540, NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR 
                            FISCAL YEAR 2012

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. LAURA RICHARDSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 14, 2011

  Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1540, the 
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012. This 
legislation, which provides $662 billion in funding for fiscal year 
2012, is not perfect but I will vote in favor of it for three principal 
reasons. First, it provides for troop and equipment readiness. Second, 
it provides much needed help and support for military families. Third, 
it authorizes critical investments in technology to ensure that the 
United States is prepared to defend against emerging threats now and in 
the future.
  Mr. Speaker, it is of utmost importance that our troops deployed in 
Afghanistan, Iraq, and around the world have the equipment, resources, 
authorities, training, and time needed to successfully complete their 
missions and return home. This bill does that.
  H.R. 1540 also provides their families with the resources and support 
they need and deserve. Specifically, the bill provides for enlistment 
and reenlistment bonuses, retention and accession pay for critical 
skills, and hazardous duty pay. As my colleagues across both aisles 
would agree, it is our responsibility to ensure that our troops that 
have sacrificed for us receive the resources they need for success and 
the benefits they deserve.
  Further, the bill recognizes the importance of investing in future 
capability and technology to meet emerging challenges on the 
battlefield of today and in the future. We live in an age in which the 
security challenges facing our nation are ever-evolving and increasing 
in technological sophistication and complexity. We must take the 
necessary steps to ensure that the United States stays in the forefront 
of technological advances and is equipped with vigorous capabilities in 
order to be able to successfully detect, deter, and defeat terrorist 
plots, cyber attacks, and other emerging threats. The bill before us 
will help us meet these challenges.
  Let me briefly highlight some of the key provisions included in this 
legislation which I support:


                    I. Troop and Equipment Readiness

  1. Provides $22.8 billion for the training of all active-duty and 
reserve forces to increase readiness;
  2. Authorizes $396.8 million for C-17 modernization;
  3. Provides $6.3 billion to fund Navy ship and aircraft depot 
maintenance;
  4. Provides $4.5 billion for Army and Marine Corps equipment reset 
and depot maintenance;
  5. Provides $7.7 billion for Air Force weapon system sustainment;
  6. Allocates just under $1 billion to support the Army's planned 
return to full-spectrum training; and
  7. Provides $13 billion for Military Construction, base realignment 
and closures, and military family housing.


                     II. Help for Military Families

  1. Provides a 1.6 percent military pay raise
  2. Ensures fair TRICARE premiums


                  III. Investing in Future Technology

  1. Extends important budget authorities to allow defense laboratories 
to recruit and retain the brightest scientists;
  2. Expands developmental test and evaluation management for major 
defense acquisition programs;
  3. Directs an assessment of mechanisms to employ non-U.S. citizens 
with critical scientific and technical skills; and
  4. Expands pilot program for the integration of technology protection 
features during research and development to include contractor cost-
sharing.
  Mr. Speaker, I do not support the provisions in the bill regarding 
the treatment of detainees suspected of terrorism. I believe they are 
decidedly unhelpful and thus agree with the administration and those 
distinguished legal scholars who assert that mandatory military custody 
is ``undue and dangerous,'' and that these provisions would ``severely 
and recklessly undermine'' our Nation's counterterrorism efforts.
  In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, I support the NDAA for FY 2012 because it 
authorizes the needed investments to keep our nation safe and enhances 
our defense infrastructure, along with taking care of our military 
personnel, and authorizing continued funding for the C-17 air 
transport.

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