[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 170 (Wednesday, November 18, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1645]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





        NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2016

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                               speech of

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 5, 2015

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the National 
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 (S. 1356).
  The agreement reached in the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 was an 
important step towards adjusting the caps on defense and non-defense 
discretionary spending. It provided for more stable investments in both 
national security and domestic programs, and I commend President Obama 
and Congressional leaders for their bipartisan efforts to provide a 
more appropriate level of funding. The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 
mitigated some of the funding concerns surrounding the National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 (S. 1356) and made this an 
improved bill. However, the revisions in the bill did nothing to 
alleviate my concerns regarding detainees at Guantanamo Bay or excess 
military facilities.
  S. 1356 still prevents the responsible transfer of detainees from 
Guantanamo Bay and the closure of the detention center. Instead, 
Guantanamo Bay will remain an extremist propaganda tool that undermines 
our national security. The closure of this facility is long overdue. S. 
1356 also continues to ignore testimony from senior leaders in the 
Department of Defense, Department of the Air Force, and Department of 
the Army regarding the closure of surplus military facilities. An 
authorization of Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) is the best way to 
address this problem and would save money that could be invested in 
other national security priorities.
  While I recognize that the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 provided a 
measure of funding stability for our Defense leaders, S. 1356 continues 
to include provisions that are detrimental to our national security and 
undermines the safety of the women and men who put themselves at risk 
to defend our nation.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in opposing the National 
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 (S. 1356).

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