Tom Cole

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Hayes).

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Dreier), the chairman of the Committee on Rules. (Mr. DREIER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, on Tuesday the Rules Committee met and reported a rule for consideration of H.R. 1815, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006. Madam Speaker, the rule is a structured rule providing for 1 hour of debate equally divided and waives all points of order against the rule. It provides that the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Armed Services now printed in the bill shall be considered as an original bill for the purpose of amendment and shall be considered as read and waives all points of order against the amendment. It makes in order only those amendments printed in the report of the Committee on Rules and provides that amendments shall be considered only in the order specified in the report, may be offered only by a Member designated in the report, shall be debatable for the time specified in the report, and shall not be subject to amendment. Additionally, it allows the chairman of the Committee on Armed Services to offer an en bloc amendment consisting of amendments printed in the report of the Committee on Rules and provides one motion to recommit, with or without instructions. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the rule for H.R. 1815 and the underlying bill. This bill will enhance our security, increase the capabilities of our military, and improve the lives of the brave men and women who defend our country. Since September 11, 2001, our military has proven its mettle and validated its doctrine, plans, and programs during the ongoing war on terror. Madam Speaker, I genuinely believe that the Committee on Armed Services has presented us with an outstanding bill that addresses many of the challenges our troops face on a daily basis. However, it is important to remember that this yearly authorization is at root an ongoing transformative process that occurs on an annual basis. This year we have taken important steps in the improvement and transformation of our existing forces during an era that is dangerous, demanding, and filled with challenges that our country neither anticipated nor prepared for during the 1990s. To fully appreciate the significance of H.R. 1815, one must understand the four long-term challenges we seek to address in this legislation. The first long-term challenge stems from the procurement holiday that our government voluntarily took during the 1990s. In those years, neither the President nor the Congress funded the procurement needs of our Armed Forces. As one example, during the 1990s the ammunition accounts of our military were woefully underfunded. As a result, even after radically increasing the productivity of our ammunition plants in the last few years, we are still struggling to keep pace with our current and projected needs. The same is true of equipment, which was neither acquired nor replaced in sufficient quantities during the years between the collapse of the old Soviet Union and the onset of the war on terror. As a result, our military is still dealing with the shortages of equipment and munitions that were created in the 1990s and that have yet to be fully resolved. This bill helps address these shortages. Madam Speaker, the second long-term challenge we must address on a continual basis is related to the transformation of our military forces. With the passage of the Goldwater-Nickles reforms of 1986, our military began putting an increased emphasis on jointness. Over the years, increased jointness has generated different requirements for our forces. Those requirements demand procedural, bureaucratic, and technological changes within our Armed Forces. The principle of transformation has affected everything that our military does, from how we fight to how we deliver services to those who serve in our Armed Forces. Properly used, joint planning, procurement, and operations are an effective combat multiplier that creates the critical edge that our forces need to defeat our adversaries. However, transformation comes with a substantial cost. This is an issue we must address on an ongoing basis. H.R. 1815 does just that. Madam Speaker, the third long-term challenge we face is the need to expand the size of our military. Over the past few years, it has become clear that we went much too far in downsizing our military forces after the end of the Cold War. To begin to address our manpower shortage, the Committee on Armed Services increased end strength by 10,000 soldiers for the Army and 1,000 Marines for the Marine Corps. This is on top of increases made in the last 2 years. It is also in addition to reforms allowing us to use a greater percentage of our military personnel in a combat capacity. Unfortunately, even these steps are not enough for our long-term needs, but they are at least a start and responsive to the heavy demands we are placing on our military forces. Over the next several years, we will be forced to look more carefully at manpower needs and come up with a more realistic assessment of what is actually required. Still, H.R. 1815 is a good next step and one which we should support and build upon in the coming years. The fourth long-term challenge faced by the military results from the global war on terror. This is not a conventional war. It is a generational war which will take decades to win. We need to remember this when approaching the needs of the military in the authorization and the appropriations process. Hence, I believe we took a wise and important step in this direction when we added $49 billion to the defense bill to offset a portion of the costs of this conflict next year. It is something that indicates our understanding of the long-term nature of the challenge we face. Madam Speaker, H.R. 1815 is not a perfect bill; but it is a very, very good piece of legislation. We must remember that the National Defense Authorization Act moves us in the direction we need to go. For that, all of us should be grateful. Ultimately, this bill is not about programs, weapons, or research and development. It is about our soldiers and their ability to defend the United States. Today, some may want to discuss issues that, however important, are superfluous to the war on terrorism and the long-term military challenges that we face. We owe it to the sons and daughters of America who are on a global battlefield in the war on terror to address the real issues and challenges our military will confront today and tomorrow. This legislation is a step in a continuing process of enhancing our military capabilities in a dangerous world. I would ask Members to support these prudent steps taken in this thoughtful and comprehensive piece of legislation. Madam Speaker, to that end, I urge support for the rule and the underlying bill. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to speak about the need to reform our immigration laws to curtail abuse, make Americans safer, and uphold the rule of law. In short, we need an immigration policy that works for America. Although I will vote against the amendment, by drawing attention to this issue, Congressman Tom Tancredo is performing an important service. I supported the REAL ID Act which makes it harder for terrorists to take advantage of our immigration laws. And I have cosponsored legislation, H.R. 98, authored by Chairman David Dreier that would make it harder for employers to hire unauthorized workers. While I agree with the general intent of this amendment, I must reluctantly oppose the amendment because I believe it would have the unintended consequence of making Americans less safe. Our immigration laws need to be enforced. But denying homeland security funds to local governments, which in turn use the money to prevent future terrorist attacks, is something I cannot support. Mr. Chairman, in the future I hope we will look at other measures that will encourage local authorities to support and enforce federal immigration laws. Such measures must encourage local compensation without endangering the lives of innocent Americans that we are charged to protect.

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, today I am pleased to congratulate Rear Admiral Gregory J. Slavonic upon the completion of his career of service in the United States Navy and Navy Reserve. Throughout his 34- year military career, Rear Admiral Slavonic served with distinction and dedication, ultimately becoming the Deputy Chief of Information and Director of the Navy Reserve Public Affairs program, responsible for the training and readiness of more than 500 public affairs reservists. In June 2004, Rear Adm. Slavonic was ordered to active duty in support of Operation Noble Eagle and Operation Enduring Freedom II, Baghdad, Iraq. He was assigned to the Multinational Force--Iraq (MFN-I) staff. He served as the senior public affairs officer for Army Gen. George W. Casey, Commanding General for MNF-I, and the Director, Combined Press Information Center (CPIC). From June to November, Rear Adm. Slavonic led a 65-person team responsible for ensuring more than 500 national and international media organizations received timely and accurate information concerning daily combat operations throughout the Iraqi theater. Rear Adm. Slavonic began his Navy career in 1971, as a Seaman who enlisted after graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in advertising from Oklahoma State University. After completing boot camp at Navy Training Center, Great Lakes, Ill., and attending Signalman ``A'' school in Newport, R.I., he received orders to the aircraft carrier USS Constellation (CVA 64) and completed two western Pacific deployments. Upon separation from active duty, Rear Adm. Slavonic affiliated with the Navy Reserve Command in Oklahoma City. He received a direct commission as a restricted line officer in public affairs and, in 1976, earned a master of education degree from the University of Central Oklahoma. In November 1990, Rear Adm. Slavonic was recalled to active duty for Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He was assigned to the staff of General H. Norman Schwarzkopf at U.S. Central Command and served at the Joint Information Bureau in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. During his tour in the Arabian Gulf theater, Rear Adm. Slavonic served as a Chief of Navy News desk and combat media escort officer, which included escorting media pools on board USS Curts (FFG 38) to document processing and interrogation of more than 40 Iraqi prisoners of war. He was serving as media escort officer with a media pool on the 18,000-ton amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LPH 10) in the Arabian Gulf when it struck an Iraqi underwater tethered mine. Rear Adm. Slavonic has served four commanding officer tours, twice with Navy Office of Information Southwest Detachment 111 Dallas-Fort Worth and twice with the Office of Information Detachment 411 Oklahoma City. He also served as executive officer of 01 Det 411 and staff public affairs officer for REDCOM Eleven. Rear Adm. Slavonic's Oklahoma City unit earned the Rear Adm. Robert Ravitz Award for Public Affairs Excellence and was a finalist for the Readiness Command Ten Admiral Robert Natter (small) Unit Award. In 1984, Rear Adm. Slavonic was the first recipient of the Navy Reserve Association's ``Junior Navy Reserve Officer of the Year'' Award. A native of Great Bend, Kansas, Rear Adm. Slavonic was raised and resides in Oklahoma City where he is an account executive with NBC affiliate KFOR-TV. He is a life member of the Navy Reserve Association as well as Oklahoma State University and the University of Central Oklahoma alumni organizations. Rear Adm. Slavonic has also served as president of the Navy Reserve Association (central chapter); president of the U.S. Navy League (local chapter); minority owner of the Oklahoma City Cavalry (Continental Basketball Association team); and as an adjunct professor at the University of Central Oklahoma. He is also active in the Oklahoma City Advertising Club and Leadership Oklahoma City. Awards earned by Rear Adm. Slavonic include the Bronze Star Medal; Meritorious Service Medal (two awards); Navy Commendation Medal (two awards); Navy Achievement Medal (three awards); Presidential Unit Citation; Combat Action Ribbon; Vietnam Cross of Gallantry; Vietnam Service Medal (one star); Republic of Vietnam Service Medal; Southeast Asia Service Medal (two stars); Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia); Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; and the Joint Service Unit Citation, as well as other service and campaign awards. Mr. Speaker, I know Rear Adm. Slavonic personally. We first met when he was assisting veterans of the USS Oklahoma, obtaining the financial and civic support necessary to create a permanent memorial to their lost ship and fallen comrades. This told me a great deal about his appreciation of Americans of every generation who have worn the uniform for their country and placed their lives at risk for their countrymen. My second opportunity to see Rear Adm. Slavonic was in Baghdad, where he was serving professionally, capably, and courageously in the combat zone. This more than anything else demonstrates that Rear Adm. Slavonic lives according to the values he professes. Like every other American, I am grateful for his service. I asked the Rear Admiral to call upon me when he returned from Iraq because I was interested in his candid appraisal of our country's efforts there. Upon his arrival in Washington, he visited my office, and our exchange was so productive that I asked him to join me for a breakfast meeting to continue our conversation. He graciously complied, and as a result I had the benefit of his profound expertise, professional judgment, and keen insights into the challenges our country and our military face in Iraq. On every occasion on which I have encountered and interacted with Rear Adm. Slavonic, he has impressed me with his professional courtesy, his commitment to our country, and his wise counsel. He is an able and honorable sailor who embodies the finest traditions of the United States Navy. His family and fellow shipmates can be proud of his service. Rear Adm. Slavonic, his wife Molly, and children Kara, Maggie, and Blake, and Blake's wife Kasey and grandson Hogan have made many sacrifices during his Naval and civilian careers, and we appreciate their contributions of conscientious service to our country. As he departs the Pentagon to start his third career, I call upon my colleagues to wish Greg and his family every success, and the traditional Navy ``fair winds and following seas.'' It is a pleasure to recognize this gentleman at the conclusion of a distinguished career of service to the United States of America.

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, the Committee on Rules may meet the week of May 23rd to grant a rule which could limit the amendment process for floor consideration of H.R. 1815, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006. The Committee on Armed Services ordered the bill reported late last night and is expected to file its report in the House tomorrow, May 20. Any Member wishing to offer an amendment should submit 55 copies of the amendment and one copy with a brief explanation of the amendment to the Committee on Rules in room H-312 of the Capitol by 10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 24. Members should draft their amendments to the text of the bill as reported by the Committee on Armed Services which should be available tomorrow for their review on the Web site of both the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Rules. Members should use the Office of Legislative Counsel to ensure that their amendments are drafted in the most appropriate format. Members are also advised to check with the Office of the Parliamentarian to be certain their amendments comply with the Rules of the House.

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Taylor), our distinguished chairman, for offering to work with me and the committee to resolve this through the conference process. I believe that this is an important and critical step toward addressing what has been a very real injustice. I thank the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Taylor).

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma. Mr. Chairman, at the outset let me thank the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Taylor) for bringing forward a bill that I believe addresses many of the critical issues for the Department of the Interior. It is impossible not to note that this budget environment creates genuinely tough challenges for the Department of the Interior. With that said, I believe the subcommittee has done an excellent job in crafting a bill that addresses those major problems. Several years ago this committee provided funds for a new visitors center at Chickasaw National Recreation Area in my district. The bids came in high due to the rising cost of materials. Before the project could be downsized the Department of the Interior had to reprogram these funds for emergency wildfire suppression. Mr. Chairman, I am asking that you consider restoring this project in conference should funds become available.

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. For the purpose of clarification, I want to quickly address the matter involving the supplemental report on H.R. 748, the Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act. The purpose of this supplemental report is to change the description of certain amendments considered during the committee markup and process. It is my understanding that the chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary has already prepared the supplemental report and shared its contents with the committee's ranking minority member. I further understand that the chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary is prepared to file a supplemental report immediately after the adoption of this resolution and also to place it in the Congressional Record. This supplemental report will be part of the official legislative history of the bill and will amend the descriptions contained in the original report. This supplemental report responds directly to the questions of privilege raised by the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Conyers) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler), both of which call for the chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary ``to report to the House a supplement to House Report 109-51 that corrects the record by describing the five amendments with nonargumentative, objective captions.'' The text of the proposed supplemental report also includes additional dissenting views from the committee's ranking minority describing his disagreements with the interpretation of the amendments by the majority. The filing of the supplemental report represents the regular order for correcting problems in earlier committee reports filed with the House. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Miller).

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield such time as he may consume to the distinguished gentleman from California (Mr. Dreier), the chairman of the Committee on Rules. (Mr. DREIER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Pence). (Mr. PENCE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I want to quickly respond to a couple of points that my good friend made. First, I would remind him that we did not pay for World War II or Korea or Vietnam out of current revenue. It is not unusual to finance wars in this particular fashion. Second, as to the point on the embassy, I have been to Iraq four times and have met with our folks there and, frankly, I think they deserve the very best protection they can get as quick as we can get it. They are every bit as much at risk as people that wear the uniform of the United States. They are all volunteers. They have done a wonderful job representing our country. They deserve and need a safe place to operate out of. I am very glad that that particular measure was put back in during conference. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to my good friend, the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Gingrey).

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 258 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma. I certainly am prepared.

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Slaughter), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only. Mr. Speaker, on Wednesday the Committee on Rules met and reported a rule for consideration of the conference report on H.R. 1268, the Emergency Supplemental Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Tsunami Relief Act, 2005. The rule waives all points of order against the conference report and provides that the report shall be considered as read. Additionally, it authorizes the chairman of the House Committee on the Judiciary to file a supplemental report to accompany H.R. 748. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1268, the emergency supplemental appropriation, is intended to fully fund our forces overseas and at home. It helps to ensure the full funding of the important accounts which have been depleted during our global war on terror and our effort to assist the Iraqi and Afghan people in their efforts to establish functioning democracies in their countries. Additionally, the bill includes important funding for Afghan reconstruction and counter-terrorism assistance, counternarcotics efforts, international food aid, and relief to address the terrible tragedies resulting from the massive tsunami that struck the Southwest Pacific and Indian Oceans in December of 2004. Mr. Speaker, additionally, this rule provides important increases in coverage for the servicemembers' group life insurance and increases coverage for individual soldiers from $250,000 to $400,000. It also increases the one-time death benefit from $12,000 to $100,000. While neither of these benefits can ever replace the lives of brave American service personnel lost in action, they can assist their families through the hard times they will face while recovering from the loss of their loved ones. Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 258 allows us to fully debate the important issues surrounding the war on terror. Just yesterday we saw on the front page of The Washington Post a graphic photograph that captured the terrible effects of the war on an innocent victim and the courage and compassion of the American soldiers who are engaged in the battle. We should keep this image in mind as we commence the debate on the conference report today. More than any words I could ever utter, that picture illustrates the nobility of our effort, the valor and decency of our soldiers, and the evil and fanaticism of our enemies. Many may wish to raise policy issues in this debate. That is certainly appropriate. Others may want to discuss issues that, however important, are superfluous to the war on terrorism. Mr. Speaker, I believe in this discussion we should focus our remarks on what truly counts. We have committed 170,000 of our servicemen and -women to fight terrorism and advance the cause of freedom in Iraq and Afghanistan. We owe them our full support in the battles they wage on behalf of the American people and the cause of liberty. This rule and the underlying bill represent the efforts of Congress to keep that solemn commitment to the sons and daughters of America. Mr. Speaker, to that end I urge support for the rule and the underlying bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I feel compelled to respond to some of the points my good friend, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee) made. Not helping our soldiers? A blank check? This bill is anything but a blank check. Let me read a couple of things in here. Just running down operations and maintenance, Navy, $3.4 billion; operations and maintenance, Marine Corps. There is line after line of great specificity my good friend, the chairman of the Committee on Appropriations was very careful in crafting a bill that will meet the needs of our personnel. The immoral thing to do would be to commit 170,000 people to combat and not resupply them and not reequip them and not give them the things they need on a daily basis to not only be successful, but to provide for their own safety and security. It is very legitimate to debate the war. Although I remind my good friend on the other side of the aisle, this body and the other body vote on a bipartisan basis to make the commitment in Iraq. I could read off name after name, including the distinguished nominee from the other body, of my friends on the other side of the aisle, a candidate for President last time, who voted in favor of this particular contest. Having made that decision, once we place people on the line under fire and in danger, we owe it to them to provide them what they need. We can continue to debate policy. That is a very legitimate point, but I think it would it be the height of folly and irresponsibility to not fund people when they are in the field in action. Frankly, it would send the wrong signal to our adversaries, and more importantly, the wrong signal to our own men and women and their families. And not to support the rule, and certainly not to support the supplemental appropriations, I believe, would be a grave and terrible mistake for this country. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from California (Mr. Royce).

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. In closing, I would like to say that I believe we have had a good debate on the rule today. I believe the importance and timeliness of this legislation could not be more self-evident. This bill has been carefully crafted and worked in a way to ensure that our service men and women receive the best supplies and equipment when they go to war and that those supplies and equipment are replenished and replaced in a timely fashion. Finally, I would ask Members to recall that this is a vote about our willingness to support our service men and women, not about other policy issues. The men and women serving our cause in Iraq ask for nothing more. In good conscience, we should give them nothing less. Mr. Speaker, I would urge my colleagues to support the rule and the underlying legislation.

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.