[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 85 (Friday, June 14, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E871-E873]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2014

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                     HON. HOWARD P. ``BUCK'' McKEON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 12, 2013

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 1960) to 
     authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2014 for military 
     activities of the Department of Defense and for military 
     construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for 
     such fiscal year, and for other purposes:

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

         House of Representatives, Committee on Science, Space, 
           and Technology,
                                     Washington, DC, June 7, 2013.
     Hon. Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon,
     Chairman, Committee on Armed Services, U.S. House of 
         Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman McKeon: I am writing to you concerning the 
     jurisdictional interest of

[[Page E872]]

     the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology in H.R. 1960, 
     the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014.
       Our Committee recognizes the importance of H.R. 1960 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 and any similar 
     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. 1960 and the Congressional 
     Record during consideration of this measure on the House 
     floor.
       I look forward to working with you on this important 
     legislation.
           Sincerely,
                                                      Lamar Smith,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                      Committee on Armed Services,


                                     House of Representatives,

                                     Washington, DC, June 7, 2013.
     Hon. Lamar Smith,
     Chairman, House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Smith: Thank you for your letter regarding 
     H.R. 1960, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 
     Year 2014. 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 Natural Resources,

                                     Washington, DC, June 5, 2013.
     Hon. Howard ``Buck'' McKeon,
     Chairman, Committee on Armed Services, House of 
         Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. McKeon: I am writing to you concerning the 
     jurisdictional interest of the Committee on Natural Resources 
     in matters being considered in H.R. 1960, the National 
     Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014.
       Our committee recognizes the importance of H.R. 1960 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 Natural Resources 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 Committee on Natural Resources 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,
                                                     Doc Hastings,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                      Committee on Armed Services,


                                     House of Representatives,

                                     Washington, DC, June 7, 2013.
     Chairman Doc Hastings,
     House Committee on Natural Resources, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Hastings: Thank you for your letter regarding 
     H.R. 1960, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 
     Year 2014. 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.
                                  ____

                                         House of Representatives,


                               Committee on Veterans' Affairs,

                                     Washington, DC, June 7, 2013.
     Hon. Howard ``Buck'' McKeon,
     Chairman, Committee on Armed Services,
     House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. McKeon: I write to confirm our mutual 
     understanding regarding H.R. 1960, the National Defense 
     Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014. The section 
     provisions attached to this letter contain subject matter 
     within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Veterans Affairs. 
     However, in order to expedite floor consideration of this 
     important legislation, the committee waives consideration of 
     these provisions.
       The Committee on Veterans Affairs 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. 1960 on the 
     House Floor. Thank you for your attention to these matters.
       With warm personal regards I am,
           Sincerely,
                                                      Jeff Miller,
                                                         Chairman.
       Attachment.


                           section provisions

       Section 524--Contents of Transition Assistance Program.
       Section 552--Protection of Child Custody Arrangements For 
     Parents Who Are Members of the Armed Forces.
       Section 553--Treatment of Relocation of Members of the 
     Armed Forces for Active Duty for Purposes of Mortgage 
     Refinancing.
       Section 584--Recodification and Revision of Army, Navy, Air 
     Force, and Coast Guard Medal of Honor Roll Requirements.
       Section 592--Authority to Enter into Concessions Contracts 
     at Army National Military Cemeteries.
       Section 1421--Authority for Transfer of Funds to Joint 
     Department of Defense-Department of Veterans Affairs Medical 
     Facility Demonstration Fund for Captain James A. Lovell 
     Health Care Center, Illinois.
                                  ____

                                      Committee on Armed Services,


                                     House of Representatives,

                                     Washington, DC, June 7, 2013.
     Hon. Jeff Miller,
     Chairman, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Washington, 
         DC.
       Dear Chairman Miller: Thank you for your letter regarding 
     H.R. 1960, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 
     Year 2014. 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 Foreign Affairs,

                                     Washington, DC, June 7, 2013.
     Hon. Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon,
     Chairman, Committee on Armed Services, U.S. House of 
         Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman McKeon: I write to confirm our mutual 
     understanding regarding H.R. 1960, the National Defense 
     Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014, which contains 
     substantial matter that falls within the Rule X legislative 
     jurisdiction of the Foreign Affairs Committee. I appreciate 
     the cooperation that allowed us to work out mutually 
     agreeable text on numerous matters prior to your markup.
  Based on that cooperation and our associated understandings, the 
Foreign Affairs Committee will not seek a sequential referral or object 
to floor consideration of the bill text approved at your Committee 
markup. However, this decision in no way diminishes or alters the 
jurisdictional interests of the Foreign Affairs Committee in this bill, 
any subsequent amendments, or similar legislation. I request your 
support for the appointment of House Foreign Affairs conferees during 
any House-Senate conference on this legislation.
  As the committee with legislative jurisdiction over U.S. intervention 
abroad and declarations of war, and as the traditional committee of 
sole referral for legislative authorizations for the use of military 
force (including the post-9/11 AUMF enacted as Public Law 107-40), the 
Foreign Affairs Committee requires knowledge of where, and against 
whom, such authority is used. For that reason, I appreciate your 
commitment to add the Foreign Affairs Committee as a recipient of the 
reporting required by section 1038 of the Chairman's mark, and to 
include additional language in your Committee report to expressly note 
that any reports required by section 1041 are in addition to War Powers 
Resolution (P.L. 93-148) reporting, which should continue.
  Finally, I respectfully request that you include this letter and your 
response in your committee report on the bill, and in the Congressional 
Record during consideration of H.R. 1960 on the House floor.
           Sincerely,
                                                  Edward R. Royce,
                                                         Chairman.

[[Page E873]]

     
                                  ____
                                      Committee on Armed Services,


                                     House of Representatives,

                                     Washington, DC, June 7, 2013.
     Chairman Edward R. Royce,
     House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Royce: Thank you for your letter regarding 
     H.R. 1960, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 
     Year 2014. 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 Transportation and Infrastructure, House of 
           Representatives
                                     Washington, DC, June 7, 2013.
     Hon.  Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon,
     Chairman, Committee on Armed Services, House of 
         Representatives, Washington, DC
       Dear Chairman McKeon: I write concerning H.R. 1960, the 
     National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014, as 
     amended. There are certain provisions in the legislation that 
     fall within the Rule X jurisdiction of the Committee on 
     Transportation and Infrastructure.
       However, in order to expedite floor consideration of this 
     legislation, the Committee will forgo action on this bill. 
     This, of course, is conditional on our mutual understanding 
     that forgoing consideration of the bill does not prejudice 
     the Committee with respect to the appointment of conferees or 
     to any future jurisdictional claim over the subject matters 
     contained in the bill or similar legislation that fall within 
     the Committee's rule X jurisdiction. I request you urge the 
     Speaker to name members of the Committee to any conference 
     committee named to consider such provisions.
       Please place a copy of this letter and your response 
     acknowledging our jurisdictional interest into the committee 
     report on H.R. 1960 and into the Congressional Record during 
     consideration of the measure on the House floor.
           Sincerely,
                                                     Bill Shuster,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                      Committee on Armed Services,


                                     House of Representatives,

                                     Washington, DC, June 7, 2013.
     Chairman Bill Shuster,
     House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, 
         Washington, DC.
        Dear Chairman Shuster: Thank you for your letter regarding 
     H.R. 1960, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 
     Year 2014. 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 the Judiciary,

                                     Washington, DC, June 7, 2013.
     Hon. Howard ``Buck'' McKeon,
     Chairman, Committee on Armed Services, House of 
         Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman McKeon: I am writing to you concerning the 
     jurisdictional interest of the Committee on the Judiciary in 
     matters being considered in H.R. 1960, the National Defense 
     Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014.
       Our committee recognizes the importance of H.R. 1960 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 the Judiciary, 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 Committee on the Judiciary 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,
                                                    Bob Goodlatte,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                      Committee on Armed Services,


                                     House of Representatives,

                                     Washington, DC, June 7, 2013.
     Chairman Bob Goodlatte,
     House Committee on the Judiciary, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Goodlatte: Thank you for your letter 
     regarding H.R. 1960, the National Defense Authorization Act 
     for Fiscal Year 2014. 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.
                                  ____

                                         House of Representatives,


                 Committee on Oversight and Government Reform,

                                     Washington, DC, June 7, 2013.
     Hon. Howard ``Buck'' McKeon,
     Chairman, Committee on Armed Services, House of 
         Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: I am writing to you concerning the 
     jurisdictional interest of the Committee on Oversight and 
     Government Reform in matters being considered in H.R. 1960, 
     the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014.
       Our committee recognizes the importance of H.R. 1960 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 Oversight and Government 
     Reform, 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 Committee on Oversight and Government Reform 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,
                                                     Darrell Issa,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                      Committee on Armed Services,


                                     House of Representatives,

                                     Washington, DC, June 7, 2013.
     Chairman Darrell Issa,
     House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Issa: Thank you for your letter regarding 
     H.R. 1960, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 
     Year 2014. 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.

                          ____________________