[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 98 (Monday, June 20, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E949]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





             DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2017

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                               speech of

                         HON. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 14, 2016

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 5293) making 
     appropriations for the Department of Defense for the fiscal 
     year ending September 30, 2017, and for other purposes:

  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Chair, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 5293, 
the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2017, because it fails to 
support our troops serving overseas. Like the defense authorization 
bill the House passed last month, the bill uses a budget gimmick to 
circumvent funding caps passed into law on a bipartisan basis, and by 
doing so it not only undermines the budget process, it puts our troops 
at risk. The bill diverts $16 billion from what our military says is 
needed to fund our military forces engaged in operations around the 
globe to purchase ships, planes, end strength, and other items our 
military didn't request. Consequently, troops serving in Iraq and 
Afghanistan will run out of funds half way through the year and would 
then rely on Congress passing an emergency supplemental to fill the 
funding gap. We shouldn't gamble with the troops we send off to battle. 
It is irresponsible and reckless. They deserve predictable support for 
the entire year as they execute their missions, particularly in view of 
the dangers they face. Going forward, I am committed to work with my 
colleagues to eliminate this funding gimmick to ensure our troops are 
supported for the full year. We count on these selfless men and women 
who volunteer to serve in uniform to keep us safe each and every day. 
They only count on us to provide them the resources they need to do 
their jobs. That is the least we can do.

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