[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 204 (Tuesday, December 12, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5908-S5911]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                          Supplemental Funding

  One final thing before I yield the floor: We should be working on a 
supplemental bill right now to take care of challenges in Ukraine. We 
heard from Zelenskyy this morning, President Zelenskyy. We need to take 
care of the challenges in Israel and the humanitarian aid there and 
military support. We need to take care of the challenges in the Indo-
Pacific and to take care of challenges on our southern border. All of 
this stuff should have been done months ago, but once again, just like 
the appropriations bill, there is no urgency. We kick the can down the 
road, and we put this country at risk.
  If we don't wake up and do what we need to do to keep this country 
safe and be the lead for democracy in the world, what have we become? 
We should not be leaving here for any holiday--Christmas, New Year's, 
whatever it is--until we get these supplementals done because we are 
the greatest country on Earth for a good reason: because we are the 
greatest country on Earth. Not doing these supplementals takes away 
from that. We have already done enough damage with the deferred 
appropriations bills on a CR. We need to go to work. It is that 
important.
  I ask unanimous consent that the letters from Joint Chiefs of Staff 
C.Q. Brown, Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro, as well as Secretary 
of the Air Force Frank Kendall, on the impacts of a continuing 
resolution on our Nation's security as it applies to the Air Force and 
the Navy and our military, in general, be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                                             Chairman of the Joint


                                              Chiefs of Staff,

                                                   Washington, DC.
     Hon. Jon Tester,
     Chairman,
     Subcommittee on Defense, Committee on Appropriations,
     U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for the opportunity to share 
     my view on the impact that a year-long Continuing Resolution 
     (CR) would have on the Department of Defense (DoD) and the 
     Joint Force. In addition to the critical need for Congress to 
     take action to support our allies and partners by passing the 
     President's national security supplemental funding request, 
     the single greatest thing that Congress can do to enable the 
     Department to execute our strategy is to enact a full-year 
     appropriation.
       DoD has never operated under a year-long CR; it would be 
     historically costly to the Joint Force. In a CR, the DoD's 
     actual buying power is significantly impacted and degraded. 
     Failing to fully fund the DoD would disrupt important 
     progress made in fiscal year 2023. The National Defense 
     Strategy lays out evolving security challenges, which require 
     the Joint Force to modernize quickly or risk losing our 
     strategic advantage. As I have said previously, we cannot 
     outpace our pacing challenge while under a CR.
       A year-long CR would prevent the DoD from executing 
     numerous multi-year procurement contracts that are critical 
     to meeting our requirements in the Indo-Pacific; delay or 
     deny investments in important modernization projects; and 
     create a significant shortfall in personnel funding.
       Thousands of programs will be impacted with the most 
     devastating impacts to our national defense being to 
     personnel, nuclear triad modernization, shipbuilding and ship 
     maintenance, munitions production and replenishment, and U.S. 
     Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) priorities.
       Personnel: A year-long CR would create a $5.8 billion 
     shortfall in military personnel

[[Page S5909]]

     funding and exacerbate recruiting and retention challenges. 
     DoD would be forced to delay service member moves and slow 
     recruiting to offset the costs of the 5.2 percent pay raise 
     for the military.
       Nuclear triad modernization: A year-long CR would delay 
     nuclear triad modernization, including a delay in the 
     procurement of the B-21 Raider and could prevent the award of 
     the second Columbia class ballistic missile submarine.
       Shipbuilding and ship maintenance: Under a year-long CR, 30 
     percent ($9.7B) of the funding in the Navy shipbuilding 
     budget request could not be spent and only one of two 
     requested Virginia class submarines could be awarded. 
     Additionally, a year-long CR would cancel or delay ship depot 
     maintenance availabilities, impacting readiness.
       Munitions production and replenishment: Under a year-long 
     CR, DoD could not award multi-year procurement contracts to 
     increase production capacity or replenish inventories for 
     munitions critical to INDOPACOM, including long range anti-
     ship missiles, GMLRs (precision rockets), Patriot air defense 
     missiles, the naval strike missile, and a long-range version 
     of the joint air to surface standoff missile.
       Pacific Defense Initiatives: A year-long CR would 
     jeopardize $1.3 billion in investments critical to DoD's 
     INDO-PACIFIC posture including impacts to forward basing, 
     sensor-to-shooter capabilities, long range radars, hypersonic 
     defense, and investments in classified capabilities.
       No new military construction projects: Military 
     construction projects are, by definition, new starts, so a 
     year-long CR could cause a year-long delay in construction 
     projects intended to modernize our installations and improve 
     quality of life.
       Passing a full-year funding bill and the President's 
     national security supplemental request would prevent these 
     devastating impacts. It would also provide funding for 
     critical weapons and equipment for our allies and partners 
     while replenishing depleted DoD stocks and providing for 
     robust investments in the defense industrial base.
       We owe our servicemembers the tools they need to be 
     successful. We have asked them to modernize and accelerate 
     the future capabilities they need to continue to deter and 
     project credible combat power. We need full appropriations to 
     stay ahead of pacing, acute, and unforeseen challenges.
       I appreciate your continued support for our Joint Force and 
     look forward to our future engagements.
           Sincerely,
                                            Charles Q. Brown, Jr.,
     General, U.S. Air Force.
                                  ____



                                     The Secretary of the Navy

                                 Washington, DC, December 8, 2023.
     Hon. Jon Tester,
     Chairman, Subcommittee on Defense, Committee on 
         Appropriations, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: As the first session of the 118th 
     Congress draws to a close, I write to express my deepest 
     concern that the Department has yet to receive an 
     appropriations funding bill for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024, and is 
     facing the threat of operating under a year-long Continuing 
     Resolution (CR) with potential for sequestration. I urge the 
     Congress to prioritize the national security of our country 
     by passing our annual appropriation bills without further 
     delay.
       Today, our Sailors and Marines are postured in the eastern 
     Mediterranean, through the Red Sea, and across in the Indo-
     Pacific to deter and respond to acts of aggression from 
     Russia, Iranian-backed terrorist groups, and the Communist 
     Chinese Party. Their ability to maintain a forward U.S. 
     presence without interruption, and to maintain a competitive 
     advantage over our adversaries depends upon Congress' 
     approval of the Department's Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 budget 
     request. Should the Congress fail to provide a FY2024 
     appropriation and instead enact a year-long CR at FY2023 
     levels, or worse with sequestration, our Navy-Marine Corps 
     team will incur an immediate $15.2 billion set-back (-5.9%), 
     with impacts in nearly every area. Misalignments from the 
     full-year CR drives that shortfall to $28 billion:
       People and Quality of Life: A year-long CR would provide 
     $2.2 billion less for Service Member pay, housing, 
     subsistence, and relocation, creating hardships for our 
     military families and lowering morale across the force. End 
     strength challenges will be further hampered, as recruiting 
     incentives are reduced and reserve mobilizations are 
     curtailed. Quality of service initiatives to improve living 
     conditions and expand resources for mental health will be 
     blunted.
       Readiness: A $4.6 billion reduction in operations and 
     maintenance will inevitably impact our fleet by immediately 
     degrading our ability to operate our ships and aircraft in 
     this uncertain environment. Pre-deployment training and 
     large-scale exercises will be curtailed resulting in less-
     proficient aviation, maritime, and ground forces deploying 
     overseas. Deferred weapons system maintenance will further 
     limit the capabilities available to the Combatant Commanders. 
     The impacts will continue to be felt in future years, as 
     upcoming deployments will be jeopardized by delaying or 
     cancelling surface ship maintenance at private shipyards, 
     while a hiring freeze would undermine the next generation of 
     workers at our naval shipyards and maintenance depots. 
     Finally, the Department would be forced to significantly 
     reduce sustainment at our bases with reductions in preventive 
     maintenance impacting fire protection systems, utility 
     infrastructure maintenance, and facility condition 
     inspections.
       Shipbuilding: A $9.7 billion reduction in shipbuilding and 
     conversion will preclude construction of one Submarine 
     Tender, one Frigate, and two Littoral Combat Units (due to 
     prohibitions on rate of production increase). Funding 
     restrictions will result in higher costs for five ship 
     classes and refueling of one nuclear aircraft carrier, 
     delaying both construction work and material/warfare systems 
     procurements. For Virginia-Class Submarine, only one of two 
     ships requested could be awarded as well as the inability to 
     award economic order quantity funding for the Virginia-Class 
     SSN multi-year procurement in FY25-29. Reductions in funding 
     and quantities of ships awarded will negatively affect the 
     progress on restoring our Nation's shipbuilding workforce for 
     six major shipbuilders in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, 
     incentivizing workers to pursue more stable careers.
       Nuclear Deterrence: While the first FY24 CR provided an 
     anomaly for a production rate increase on the second 
     Columbia-Class Submarine, the rate of operations increase for 
     advance procurement funding in FY24 will cause delays in long 
     lead time material awards for up to ten future Columbia-Class 
     Submarines and a delay of Submarine Industrial Base 
     investment funding. This puts at risk the modernization of 
     the sea-base leg of our nation's nuclear triad.
       Marine Corps Force Design: Restrictions on new starts and 
     production rate increases will slow progress on the Marine 
     Corps' transformation to a more agile, efficient, and 
     technologically advanced force able to deter and defeat 
     forces across the Pacific island chains. Production rates of 
     Tomahawk and Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System weapons 
     systems, two ground vehicles and two aircraft will be 
     reduced.
       Weapons Industrial Base: Year-long CR restrictions will 
     prevent a combined $380 million investment in the Weapons 
     Industrial Base to increase throughout and production 
     capacity of critical munitions including TRIDENT, Tomahawk, 
     Standard Missile, Long Range Anti-Ship Missile, Advanced 
     Anti-Radiation Guided Missile, and Advanced Medium-Range Air-
     to-Air Missile. These efforts are in direct response to 
     lessons learned from the conflict in Ukraine.
       Research and Development: A $900 million reduction in 
     research and development suspends research at businesses and 
     universities across the country, makes our forces more 
     reliant on aging systems, and provides our adversaries an 
     opportunity to close the technological gap. Reductions to 
     Marine Future Vertical Takeoff Family of Systems, Next 
     Generation Jammer-Increment Two and MQ-4 Triton Multi-
     Integration will challenge Naval Aviation capabilities to 
     face future threats.
       Military Construction: A $3.1 billion shortfall in military 
     construction will cancel or postpone 30 projects across the 
     U.S. and abroad, including three Child Development Centers. 
     Twelve Pacific Deterrence Initiative projects on Guam will be 
     affected, inhibiting our ability to blunt Chinese 
     expansionism.
       These impacts, when combined with misalignment between last 
     year's enacted funding bill and our FY2024 budget request, 
     amount to a total funding impact to the Department of the 
     Navy of $26.1 billion ($22.8 Navy, $3.3 Marine Corps). If a 
     1% sequester is applied, the impacts rises to $28.8 billion 
     ($25.0 Navy, $3.8 Marine Corps). In light of recent world 
     events, we simply cannot afford to sacrifice readiness. 
     Together, we must equip our Sailors and Marines with the best 
     our Nation can provide to ensure they never have to face a 
     fair fight.
           Sincerely,
                                                  Carlos Del Toro.
       Enclosures:
       (1) New Starts by Appropriation and Line Item.
       (2) Production Rate Increases by Appropriation and Line 
     Item.
       (3) Total Appropriation Rates of Operation Increases.
       (4) Summary--Total Misalignment of Funds in a 12-month CR.

                                    NEW STARTS BY APPROPRIATION AND LINE ITEM
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         TOTAL DON                      NAVY                  MARINE CORPS
   Appropriation/Line Item   -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     QTY           Amt ($K)       QTY        Amt ($K)       QTY        Amt ($K)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SCN.........................                  1   11,733,234            1   11,733,234
    AS Submarine Tender.....                  1    1,733,234            1    1,733,234
SCN Completion of Prior Year  .................      566,119  ...........      566,119
 Shipbuilding Programs......
    Completion of PY SBP (LI  .................      566,119  ...........      566,119
     5300)..................
OPN.........................  .................        7,594  ...........        7,594

[[Page S5910]]

 
    LSD Midlife &             .................        7,594  ...........        7,594
     Modernization..........
WPN.........................                  8      341,434            8      341,434
    Conventional Prompt                       8      341,434            8      341,434
     Strike.................
RDTEN (PE/PROJ).............  .................      260,285  ...........      209,657  ...........       50,628
    0604840M F-35B C2D2 0358  .................        8,113  ...........  ...........  ...........        8,113
     Utility and Subsystem
     Support to Mission.....
    0605212M CH-53K 3069      .................       42,515  ...........  ...........  ...........       42,515
     CH53K Improvement......
    0204229N Tomahawk Mssn    .................        2,969  ...........        2,969  ...........  ...........
     Planning Ctr 4032 NAV/
     COMMS..................
    0204571N Consolidated     .................        5,140  ...........        5,140  ...........  ...........
     Trng Sys Dev 1982
     Adversary Mission
     System.................
    0205633N Aviation         .................        2,000  ...........        2,000  ...........  ...........
     Improvements 0357 IFDIS
     fault detection........
    0205633N Aviation         .................        4,010  ...........        4,010  ...........  ...........
     Improvements 1356
     Corrosion Prevention
     Impro..................
    0602792N Innovative       .................        1,500  ...........        1,500  ...........  ...........
     Naval Prototypes (INP)
     Applied Res 3506 Com...
    0602792N Innovative       .................       15,537  ...........       15,537  ...........  ...........
     Naval Prototypes (INP)
     Applied Res 3507 Chim..
    0602792N Innovative       .................        1,800  ...........        1,800  ...........  ...........
     Naval Prototypes (INP)
     Applied Res 3508 Curi..
    0603563N Ship Concept     .................        1,502  ...........        1,502  ...........  ...........
     Advanced Design 3505
     Maritime Preposition...
    0603739N Navy Logistic    .................        4,000  ...........        4,000  ...........  ...........
     Productivity 0356
     NADACS Inventory.......
    0603801N Innovative       .................        4,732  ...........        4,732  ...........  ...........
     Naval Prototypes (INP)
     Adv Tec Dev 3507 Chim..
    0604030N Rapid            .................       90,490  ...........       90,490  ...........  ...........
     Prototyping,
     Experimentation & Dem
     0385 Rapid P...........
    0604258N Target Systems   .................        3,514  ...........        3,514  ...........  ...........
     Development 2159 ASW
     TARGET.................
    0604840N F-35C C2D2 0358  .................       72,463  ...........       72,463  ...........  ...........
     Utility and Subsystem
     Support to Mission.....
FHCON Projects..............                  2      205,032            1       83,126            1      121,906
    P307 Replace Andersen                     1      121,906  ...........  ...........            1      121,906
     Housing Ph 8...........
    P387 Replace Andersen                     1       83,126            1       83,126  ...........  ...........
     Housing Ph 7...........
MCN Projects (BA01).........                 26    2,897,154           14    1,827,884           12    1,069,270
    P226 Maintenance                          1      125,150  ...........  ...........            1      125,150
     Facility & Marine Air
     Group HQs..............
    P191 Water Treatment                      1      127,120  ...........  ...........            1      127,120
     Plant..................
    P415 PDI: Child                           1      105,220  ...........  ...........            1      105,220
     Development Center.....
    P002 Cybersecurity                        1      186,480  ...........  ...........            1      186,480
     Operations Facility....
    P316 PDI: Artillery                       1      137,550  ...........  ...........            1      137,550
     Battery Facilities.....
    P406 PDI: Recreation                      1       34,740  ...........  ...........            1       34,740
     Center.................
    P408 PDI: Religious                       1       46,350  ...........  ...........            1       46,350
     Ministry Services
     Facility...............
    P760 PDI: Training                        1       89,640  ...........  ...........            1       89,640
     Center.................
    P859 PDI: Consolidated                    1       19,740  ...........  ...........            1       19,740
     MEB HQ/NCIS PHII.......
    P870 PDI: 9th ESB                         1       23,380  ...........  ...........            1       23,380
     Training Center........
    P158 Bachelor Enlisted                    1      131,800  ...........  ...........            1      131,800
     Quarters & Support
     Facility...............
    P1241 Communications                      1       42,100  ...........  ...........            1       42,100
     Towers.................
    P1044 Submarine Pier 31                   1      112,518            1      112,518  ...........  ...........
     Extension..............
    P1102 Weapons Magazine &                  1      219,200            1      219,200  ...........  ...........
     Ordnance Operations
     Fac....................
    P614 PDI: Joint Consol.                   1      107,000            1      107,000  ...........  ...........
     Comm. Center (INC).....
    P691 Aircraft                             1      141,700            1      141,700  ...........  ...........
     Development and
     Maintenance Facs.......
    P1339 Child Development                   1       35,000            1       35,000  ...........  ...........
     Center.................
    P1334 Child Development                   1       43,600            1       43,600  ...........  ...........
     Center.................
    P1069 Maritime                            1      109,680            1      109,680  ...........  ...........
     Surveillance System
     Facility...............
    P541 PDI: Missile                         1      174,540            1      174,540  ...........  ...........
     Integration Test
     Facility...............
    P678 PDI: Satellite                       1      166,159            1      166,159  ...........  ...........
     Communications Facility
     (INC)..................
    P891 Shipyard Electrical                  1      195,000            1      195,000  ...........  ...........
     Backbone...............
    P171 Weapons Magazines..                  1      221,920            1      221,920  ...........  ...........
    P525 Laboratory Compound                  1      110,000            1      110,000  ...........  ...........
     Facilities Improvements
    P111 EDI: Ordnance                        1       77,072            1       77,072  ...........  ...........
     Magazines..............
    P222 MQ-25 Aircraft                       1      114,495            1      114,495  ...........  ...........
     Laydown Facilities.....
MCNR Projects (BA01)........                  2       36,949  ...........  ...........            2       36,949
    P185 G/ATOR Support                       1       12,400  ...........  ...........            1       12,400
     Facilities.............
    P405 Organic Supply                       1       24,549  ...........  ...........            1       24,549
     Facilities.............
                             -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total New Starts....  .................    6,047,801  ...........    4,769,048  ...........    1,278,753
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                            PRODUCTION RATE INCREASES BY APPROPRIATION AND LINE ITEM
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   TOTAL DON                 NAVY               MARINE CORPS
          Appropriation/Line Item           --------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                QTY      Amt ($K)      QTY      Amt ($K)      QTY      Amt ($K)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
APN........................................        17      409,480         9      326,762         8       82,718
    JSF STOVL..............................         1      228,140         1      228,140  ........  ...........
    Multi-Engine Training System (METS)....        16      181,340         8       98,622         8       82,718
PMC........................................        43      111,731  ........  ...........        43      111,731
    Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV)....        12       17,750  ........  ...........        12       17,750
    Guided MLRS Rocket.....................         4        1,262  ........  ...........         4        1,262
    Tomahawk...............................        21       62,234  ........  ...........        21       62,234
    Amphibious Combat Vehicle..............         6       30,485  ........  ...........         6       30,485
SCN........................................         4    7,068,215         4    7,068,215  ........  ...........
    Columbia Class (FF) \1\................         1  ...........         1  ...........  ........  ...........
    Columbia Class (AP) \1\................  ........      612,181  ........      612,181  ........  ...........
    Virginia Class Submarine (FF)..........  ........    2,595,781  ........    2,595,781  ........  ...........
    Virginia Class Submarine (AP)..........  ........    1,189,888  ........    1,189,888  ........  ...........
    CVN Refueling Overhauls AP.............  ........      396,565  ........      396,565  ........  ...........
    DDG 1000...............................  ........      337,424  ........      337,424  ........  ...........
    FFG....................................         1    1,038,474         1    1,038,474  ........  ...........
    LHA....................................  ........      744,679  ........      744,679  ........  ...........
    T-AO...................................  ........       32,832  ........       32,832  ........  ...........
    LCU....................................         2       62,532         2       62,532  ........  ...........
    Auxiliary Vessels......................  ........        9,008  ........        9,008  ........  ...........
    Service Craft..........................  ........       48,851  ........       48,851  ........  ...........
SCN Completion of Prior Year Shipbuilding    ........      306,324  ........      306,324  ........  ...........
 Programs..................................
    Completion of PY SBP (LI 5300).........  ........      306,324  ........      306,324  ........  ...........
WPN........................................       170      733,032       155      718,670        15       14,362
    Adv Med Range Air-to-Air Missile               37      103,253        37      103,253  ........  ...........
     (AMRAAM)..............................
    Sidewinder.............................        19       15,877         7        4,938        12       10,939
    Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM).........        20       22,765        20       22,765  ........  ...........
    LRASM..................................        33      419,974        30      416,551         3        3,423
    Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM).....        11       13,794        11       13,794  ........  ...........
    MK-48 Torpedo..........................        50      157,369        50      157,369  ........  ...........
                                            --------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total Production Rate increases....  ........    8,628,782  ........    8,419,971  ........      208,811
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Section 124 of the ``Continuing Appropriations Act, 2024 and Other Extensions Act'' (P.L. 118-15) includes
  an anomaly for $621.27M for a Columbia Class Submarine. The ``Further Continuing Appropriations and Other
  Extensions Act, 2024'' (P.L. 118-22) Section 140 provides an anomaly for $3,338,413,000 for Columbia Class AP.


                              TOTAL APPROPRIATION RATES OF OPERATION INCREASES \2\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   TOTAL DON                 NAVY               MARINE CORPS
               Appropriation                --------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                QTY      Amt ($K)      QTY      Amt ($K)      QTY      Amt ($K)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MPN........................................  ........    1,434,018  ........    1,434,018  ........  ...........
RPN........................................  ........      103,887  ........      103,887  ........  ...........
MPMC.......................................  ........      582,352  ........  ...........  ........      582,352
RPMC.......................................  ........       77,216  ........  ...........  ........       77,216

[[Page S5911]]

 
OMN........................................  ........    4,058,432  ........    3,938,540  ........      119,892
OMNR.......................................  ........      102,760  ........       72,986  ........       29,774
OMMC.......................................  ........      424,994  ........  ...........  ........      424,994
OPN........................................  ........    2,389,073  ........    2,316,278  ........       72,795
PANMC......................................  ........      372,389  ........      264,349  ........      l08,040
PMC........................................  ........      197,971  ........  ...........  ........      197,971
RDTEN......................................  ........      658,243  ........      417,151  ........      241,092
WPN........................................  ........      978,806  ........    1,016,306  ........     (37,500)
                                            --------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total Appropriation Rates of Operation   ........   11,380,141  ........    9,563,515  ........    1,816,626
     Increases \2\.........................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ Rates of Operations increases by appropriation are calculated after accounting for new starts and production
  rate increases. With the exception of SCN and MILCON appropriations, CR restrictions for rates of operation
  are at the total appropriation level. However, it is prudent to consider proposed Congressional adjustments at
  a line item level when determining amounts that can be executed during the CR period, in order to preserve
  Congressional funding prerogatives in an appropriation act.


                              SUMMARY--TOTAL MISALIGNMENT OF FUNDS IN A 12-MONTH CR
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  TOTAL DON                 NAVY                MARINE CORPS
               Appropriation               ---------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               QTY      Amt ($K)      QTY      Amt ($K)       QTY      Amt ($K)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total New Starts..........................  ........    6,047,801  ........     4,769,048  ........    1,278,753
Total Production Rate Increases...........  ........    8,628,782  ........     8,419,971  ........      208,811
Total Appropriation Rates of Operation      ........   11,380,141  ........     9,563,515  ........    1,816,626
 Increases................................
Estimated SequestratIon TOA Shortfall--     ........    2,737,000  ........     2,222,000  ........      515,000
 Yearlong CR..............................
                                           ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Misalignment of Funds--12 Month CR with     ........   28,793,724  ........    24,974,534  ........    3,819,190
 Seq......................................
                                           ---------------------------------------------------------------------
PB24 Submission...........................  ........  ...........  ........   255,752,514  ........  ...........
Total 12-Month CR Misalignments and         ........  ...........  ........  (28,793,724)  ........  ...........
 Estimated Sequestration..................
                                           ---------------------------------------------------------------------
    12-Month CR/SEQ TOA for DON \3\.......  ........  ...........  ........   226,958,790  ........  ...........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ Assumes no anomalies to lift restrictions on new starts and rate increases, and no authority to realign
  funding within and between appropriations. Includes PB24 levels for DHA accounts.

                                   Secretary of the Air Force,

                                                   Washington, DC.
     Hon. Patty Murray,
     Chair, Committee on Appropriations,
     U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chair Murray: As Congress works to advance Fiscal Year 
     (FY) 2024 appropriations legislation, I write to highlight 
     current, significant impacts a Continuing Resolution (CR) and 
     the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) have on the Department of 
     the Air Force (DAF). Our biggest challenges are strengthening 
     our capabilities, as well as recruiting and retaining the 
     world's best Air Force and Space Force, to prevail, if 
     necessary, in the Indo-Pacific against the People's Republic 
     of China (PRC) as the pacing challenge. Overall, a year-long 
     CR in FY24 would reduce buying power of the DAF by as much as 
     $13 billion. Additionally, should a sequester be ordered 
     under the FRA, including discretionary spending levels capped 
     at FY23 levels minus one percent with the directive to 
     exclude military personnel accounts, the impact to the DAF 
     would be an approximate eight percent cut, absent inflation, 
     to absorb the remaining FY24 FRA topline cap.
       While CRs and the associated limitations placed on the DAF 
     ability to invest in modernization, as well as in our Airmen, 
     Guardians, and civilians, are significant, the one thing we 
     cannot buy back with any amount of funding is time. The 
     longer the DAF operates under any CR, the more time our 
     pacing challenge has to gain advantage and further increases 
     their ability to inflict unacceptable levels of destruction 
     against our people and capabilities. In 1940, General Douglas 
     MacArthur said, ``The history of failure in war can almost 
     always be summed up in two words: `Too late.' Too late in 
     comprehending the deadly purpose of a potential enemy. Too 
     late in realizing the mortal danger. Too late in 
     preparedness. Too late in uniting all possible forces for 
     resistance.
       Any length of CR impacts DAF readiness, hinders 
     acceleration of the U.S. Space Force, delays military 
     construction (MILCON) projects, reduces aircraft 
     availability, and curbs modernization in our race for 
     technological superiority. Below are specific examples of 
     current CR impacts on the DAF.


              Great Power Competition Optimization Impacts

       Risks credibility of U.S. nuclear deterrence and undermines 
     two legs of the nuclear triad:
       For the future ground-base leg, LGM-35A Sentinel, delays 
     weapon system construction, missile development, and delivery 
     of MH-139 aircraft--essential to nuclear surety and security 
     at a time when the PRC has built 100 new missile silos.
       For the future air-based leg, B-21 Raider, delays 
     procurement as the contract award is held to the previous 
     year quantity and funding.
       Stops 89 new starts, totaling $2 billion, and 19 specific 
     initiatives to counter the PRC, totaling $4.8 billion, which 
     would close key capability gaps and assure U.S. advantage 
     through the Joint Strike Missile, Kill Chain Automation, 
     Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) development, and Moving 
     Target Engagement.
       Cancels $2.8 billion in U.S. Space Force growth for new 
     space architectures critical to the Joint Force in contested 
     environments, including resilient Space Data Transport and 
     Missile Warning/Missile Tracking (MW/MT); tactical sensing; 
     and positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT).
       Delays procurement of seven National Security Space Launch 
     (NSSL) missions thereby exposing Joint warfighters to 
     significant risk.


                Military Personnel & Operations Impacts

       Limits DAF capability to cover any increase in military pay 
     accounts including inability to initiate new bonuses or 
     incentive pay designed to address critically-manned career 
     fields.
       Degrades operational readiness by underfunding critical 
     accounts such as weapon system sustainment and the flying 
     hour program.


                             MILCON Impacts

       Prevents 34 new major construction projects totaling $1.6 
     billion, including new weapon system beddowns, Quality of 
     Life (QoL) facilities, and three Indo-Pacific projects 
     fundamental to Agile Combat Employment (ACE) operations.
       Prevents five new Energy Resilience and Conservation 
     Investment Program (ERCIP) Defense-Wide MILCON projects, 
     totaling $138 million, for critical power and water 
     requirements at two U.S. Air Force and three U.S. Space Force 
     locations.
       The DAF greatly values your partnership and appreciates 
     your commitment to our Airmen and Guardians. However, the 
     longer the DAF operates under a CR, the greater the impact is 
     on our people and programs. While change is hard and focus on 
     short-term distractions seems enticing, losing to the pacing 
     challenge is unacceptable. No one wants great power 
     competition and no one can predict when conflict might occur, 
     but we must be as ready as we can be--now, tomorrow, and 
     every day. I implore you and your colleagues to advance full-
     year FY24 appropriations legislation as soon as possible. 
     Thank you for your continued support of our U.S. Air Force 
     and U.S. Space Force.
           Sincerely,
                                                    Frank Kendall,
                                       Secretary of the Air Force.

  Mr. TESTER. I yield the floor.

                          ____________________