[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 41 (Thursday, March 9, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E304]
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. PETER A. DeFAZIO

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 8, 2017

  Mr. DeFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, I will vote against H.R. 1301, the Fiscal 
Year 2017 Department of Defense (DOD) Appropriations Act.
  The legislation includes several provisions that I strongly support, 
including giving service men and women a well-deserved raise of 2.1 
percent. The bill provides much-needed funding to address traumatic 
brain injuries, PTSD, sexual assault and suicide prevention, and vital 
cancer research. It also includes funding for Ukraine and Eastern 
Europe security initiatives to counter Russia's heightened military 
provocations and annexation of Crimea.
  However, H.R. 1301 funds provisions I do not support, including $61.8 
billion to the Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) fund, an account 
which is not subject to the budgetary caps imposed on all other 
discretionary programs, and is used as a slush fund by the Pentagon.
  Unlike every other federal agency, the DOD has been unable to 
complete a financial audit to inform taxpayers how the biggest 
bureaucracy in the federal government spends their money. In fact, a 
shocking report released last December exposed $125 billion in 
administrative waste that the Pentagon tried to bury from being viewed 
by the public. I refuse to support increased bureaucratic waste at the 
expense of American taxpayers. A more accountable and transparent 
department would ensure more taxpayer money is directed towards the 
needs of our troops and the benefits they deserve rather than buying 
unnecessary weapon systems, sustaining a Cold War era military force, 
and giving the President a blank check to fund wars Congress hasn't 
authorized.
  Along with bloated defense spending, the bill prohibits the closing 
of Guantanamo Bay, which costs more than $100 million each year and has 
been used as a top recruiting tool by terrorists. Frankly, the prison 
at Guantanamo Bay has been a black eye for the United States. It has 
eroded relationships with our allies, undermined U.S. missions abroad, 
and put U.S. citizens and our troops at risk of retaliation in places 
where the Geneva Conventions are not followed.
  Congress can make responsible cuts to the DOD budget without 
jeopardizing the safety of our troops or undermining our national 
security.

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