[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 86 (Thursday, May 24, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E733]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2019

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                               speech of

                         HON. PETER A. DeFAZIO

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 22, 2018

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 5515) to 
     authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2019 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. DeFAZIO. Mr. Chair, I will vote against H.R. 5515, the National 
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year (FY) 2019.
  The legislation includes several provisions that I strongly support, 
including giving servicemen and women a well-deserved raise of 2.6 
percent. Those who serve in uniform have made extraordinary sacrifices 
for our country and have earned and deserve a pay raise. It also 
includes funding for Ukraine and Eastern Europe security initiatives to 
counter Russia's heightened military provocations and annexation of 
Crimea.
  Despite these important initiatives, I have strong concerns with H.R. 
5515. This legislation authorizes more than $708 billion, including $69 
billion to the Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) fund, an account 
which is not counted in the budget and is not paid for. It adds to the 
deficit and is used as a slush fund by the Pentagon.
  Unlike every other federal agency, the Department of Defense (DOD) 
has yet to complete a financial audit; taxpayers deserve to know how 
the biggest bureaucracy in the federal government spends their money. 
In fact, a shocking report released in December 2016 exposed $125 
billion in waste that the Pentagon tried to hide from the public.
  I refuse to support increased bureaucratic waste at the expense of 
American taxpayers and our men and women in uniform. A more accountable 
and transparent department would ensure taxpayer dollars are directed 
towards the needs of our troops and the benefits they deserve, rather 
than buying unnecessary weapon systems and giving the president a blank 
check to fund wars Congress hasn't authorized.
  I have always advocated for maintaining Congress's constitutionally-
continued prerogative to declare war under the War Powers Act and 
limiting the President's authority to engage in armed conflict without 
the consent of Congress. I strongly oppose the NDAA's continued 
authorization of spending for wars that are not congressionally 
approved. The Pentagon uses the 2001 Authorization of Use of Military 
Force (AUMF) to continue to justify the 17 years our troops have been 
fighting in the Middle East. President Trump has already sent troops to 
Syria, Yemen and elsewhere without seeking a new AUMF, a violation of 
the War Powers Act.
  Additionally, the bill prohibits the closing of Guantanamo Bay, which 
costs more than $100 million each year to house 41 prisoners and has 
been used as a top recruiting tool by terrorists. The prison at 
Guantanamo Bay has been a black eye for the United States, has eroded 
relationships with our allies, undermined U.S. missions abroad, and put 
U.S. citizens and our troops at risk of retaliation.
  Congress can make responsible cuts to our defense budget without 
jeopardizing the safety of our troops or undermining our national 
security. Fiscal responsibility and accountability at the Pentagon 
would allow for funds to be better spent supporting the basic needs of 
our troops, meeting our obligations to veterans of past wars, and 
ensuring our true defense needs are prioritized.

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