[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 79 (Wednesday, May 18, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E730]
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. KYRSTEN SINEMA

                               of arizona

                    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:

  Ms. SINEMA. Mr. Chair, I join my colleagues in opposition to this 
amendment.
  Like members on both sides of this debate, I strongly support 
strengthening our domestic industrial base. I also support efficiently 
using taxpayer dollars to ensure our military has the best systems and 
equipment.
  While well intentioned, this amendment is overly broad and could have 
serious unintended consequences for taxpayers, for our military, and 
for our foreign policy.
  My colleagues have discussed the cost and technical issues. I share 
these concerns about negatively disrupting the AMRAAM and potentially 
other tactical missile programs.
  We should also consider the consequences this amendment may have for 
our ability to engage in cost sharing with our international allies and 
partners.
  Cost sharing on a variety of platforms can drive competition, improve 
technologies available to our military, and lower costs for taxpayers. 
It also strengthens the partnerships we leverage to provide stability 
and security for the United States.
  It is my understanding that a reasonable path forward exists to 
ensure we can build our domestic manufacturing base for solid rocket 
motors.
  I encourage my colleagues to oppose this amendment so that we can 
advance a targeted solution to address the specific programmatic 
concerns of the sponsor, without imposing an overbroad mandate that 
disrupts all tactical missile programs.
  Again, thank you Congresswoman McSally and Ranking Member Smith.

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