[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 109 (Thursday, July 19, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1284]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2013

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                               speech of

                          HON. JOHN D. DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 18, 2012

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 5856) making 
     appropriations for the Department of Defense for the fiscal 
     year ending September 30, 2013, and for other purposes:

  Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of H.R. 5856, the 
Department of Defense Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2013. We are 
still a nation at war. Our troops continue to remain in harm's way 
fighting for our country in Afghanistan. Our consideration of this 
legislation must begin with an acknowledgement of this critical fact.
  In that light, I am pleased that this legislation gives our troops 
the support they need while they are serving our Nation abroad. The 
bill provides $519.2 billion for the Department of Defense's base 
budget, and $88.5 billion in funding for the war. It also gives a 1.7 
percent pay raise to our troops and provides $2.3 billion for family 
support and advocacy programs. I am also very pleased to see the 
Committee include $181 million in funding to keep the M-1 Abrams tank 
production line in operation, which will help ensure our military 
industrial base is strong and vibrant. The legislation also provides 
$1.6 billion for activities to counter Improvised Explosive Devices 
(IEDs), which continue to be a leading killer of our troops abroad. All 
of these programs are an accurate reflection of our priorities as a 
nation.
  That being said, I am dismayed that House Republicans chose to write 
all of this year's appropriations bills under a lower limit than was 
established under the Budget Control Act (BCA). The BCA represents a 
bipartisan compromise on Federal spending and it should be respected. 
The Senate Committee on Appropriations is moving forward with the limit 
established under the BCA with the blessing of the Republican 
leadership. Such a disconnect between the two bodies on an issue of 
critical significance only adds to the uncertainty surrounding our 
economy and is not in our national interest.
  I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting this vital 
legislation so our troops can know they have the support of the 
Congress.

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