[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 79 (Wednesday, May 18, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E729]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2017

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                               speech of

                     HON. C. A. DUTCH RUPPERSBERGER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 17, 2016

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 4909) to 
     authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2017 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. RUPPERSBERGER. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of the provision 
contained in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
2017 to upgrade the U.S. Cyber Command to a unified combatant command.
  The United States Cyber Command, which is located in my district at 
Fort Meade, Maryland, has been tasked with one of the greatest 
challenges of our times. Every day, its cyber warriors are protecting 
us from our enemies plotting to compromise our military networks and 
critical infrastructure. Recently, they were given their first wartime 
assignment in the fight against ISIS.
  The demand for cyber warfare capabilities has been so high that 
CYBERCOM teams that are not even officially operational yet are 
contributing to the mission, according to its chief, Admiral Mike 
Rogers. That need is only going to increase and we must give it the 
power and resources it needs to better protect our country.
  Elevating CYBERCOM as a Unified Combatant Command recognizes the fact 
that cyberspace is the battlefield of the 21st Century. Warfare is not 
just on land, at sea, or in the skies and space--but in cyberspace. 
Just as our special operations command is able to quickly and deftly 
perform some of our toughest covert missions, it only makes sense to 
have a command that can respond nimbly to cyber threats and organize 
our offensive and defensive efforts.
  I agree wholeheartedly with Admiral Rogers, who has said this 
designation would allow his Command to be faster with better mission 
outcomes. We must not forget that the other half of his responsibility, 
the National Security Agency, already enjoys an excellent and essential 
working relationship with CYBERCOM. We must ensure that any 
reorganization strengthens this relationship.
  I am proud to represent both agencies in Congress and am confident 
Maryland and the Second District is amply prepared to assist with the 
infrastructure needs that accompany any growth.

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