[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 98 (Monday, June 23, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1054]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2015

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. JOHN C. CARNEY, JR.

                              of delaware

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 18, 2014

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 4870) making 
     appropriations for the Department of Defense for the fiscal 
     year ending September 30, 2015, and for other purposes:

  Mr. CARNEY. Mr. Chair, with numerous and significant reservations, I 
will vote for final passage of H.R. 4870, the FY2015 Department of 
Defense Appropriations Act. I supported this bill because it provides 
the means to support the brave men and women of our armed services who 
put their lives on the line to protect ours. The bill provides a pay 
raise for our troops and includes important provisions that support the 
missions of the Delaware National Guard and Dover Air Force Base.
   That said, I disagreed with numerous policy provisions included in 
the bill, most notably the lack of guidance for how the Administration 
can use funds provided in the Overseas Contingency Operation accounts. 
I also remain concerned that the bill prevents the Department of 
Defense from taking responsible measures to cut defense spending and 
continues to maintain the Authorization for Use of Military Force, 
despite the fact that our military engagements in Afghanistan and Iraq 
have drawn to a close. I was also concerned that the bill prevents the 
transfer of detainees at the Guantanamo Bay Facility and fails to 
provide a comprehensive plan to close the facility. I am hopeful these 
deficiencies in the bill will be addressed when the House and Senate 
meet in conference to work out their differences.

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