Kathy Castor

Ms. CASTOR

Ms. CASTOR. Madam Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Hastings). All time yielded during consideration of the rule is for debate only. General Leave

Ms. CASTOR. Madam Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 403 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Ms. CASTOR. I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. We did have, in over 5 months of the Armed Services Committee, many opportunities to hear from Members across the aisle. I question why this wasn't brought up before the committee at that time.

Ms. CASTOR. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to my distinguished colleague from the Armed Services Committee, Ms. Giffords of Arizona.

Ms. CASTOR. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman and before I reserve the balance of my time, on the future combat systems, so the record is clear, only in Washington can you provide $2.8 billion to a program and then say that's not enough. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. CASTOR. I yield to the gentleman from Kansas.

Ms. CASTOR. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I think it is also very important for the record to reflect that the Army is fully funded in its needs. Indeed, $13.6 billion are authorized through this Defense bill to fully address the equipment reset of the Army. What has happened, because of the war in Iraq and in Afghanistan, and we all know this, but readiness of our Armed Forces has suffered. Indeed, the Army Chief of Staff testified before the Armed Services Committee that the escalation of the war creates a terrible strategic risk for this country. If there was any other threat from across the globe that threatened our national security, it would be very difficult for us to respond because all of the equipment, all of the trucks, the Humvees, are there in Iraq. When the units are deployed and go over to Iraq, they are not able to bring the equipment back. This was highlighted recently in the State of Kansas with these terrible tornados, when the governor of Kansas told us directly that they were not able to respond as quickly. I'll tell you, coming from the State of Florida, at the beginning of the hurricane season, this is an issue. We have also had to make these tough decisions about equipping our warriors on the ground with the equipment that they need. The Army came forward during their budget discussion in Armed Services and said our most critical need are these mine-resistant ambush vehicles that have the armor to withstand the IEDs that has caused so much death and destruction. The Bush administration did not have a funding plan for those MRAP vehicles. So what do we do? We have got to provide the troops on the ground with the equipment they need to stay safe and survive. Does that mean that some other programs that aren't as tested and aren't as proven get a slight cut? Yes, it does. Yes, it does, because that is a priority, protecting the troops on the ground today.

Ms. CASTOR. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. We did have a debate over missile defense in the Armed Services Committee, but at the end of the day, recall we had a unanimous vote, 58-0, bipartisan vote, to send this bill to the floor. I would offer, there is no debate. We must protect this great country from nuclear threats, missile threats; and in fact, this bill does that. We have provided $1.4 billion for Patriot PAC-3 and MEADS. These funds will be used to purchase additional interceptors, upgrade remaining firing units' configuration, continue the development of the MEADS program and purchase equipment for two additional Patriot battalions. The committee also authorized $1.1 billion for Aegis BMD, an increase of $78 million above the budget request from the White House. These funds will be used to continue and expand the fielding of Standard Missile-3, improve the discrimination capabilities of the Aegis SPY1 radar, and continue the joint development with Japan of the SM-3 Block IIA missile. We have authorized $2.3 billion for ground-based missile defense. The committee supports THAAD and authorizes $858 million to continue the purchase of two THAAD firing units. So to come to the floor and say that missile defense is not provided for in this bill is incorrect. What we are facing, though, is because of this war in Iraq, we have growing needs for the troops on the ground. So our committee made the decision that the troops on the ground come first; that they will have the body armor, they will have the MRAP vehicles, the mine-resistant vehicles, because that is the priority today. Tough decisions, but our troops come first on the ground. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Matheson).

Ms. CASTOR. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee).

Ms. CASTOR. I thank the gentleman. The fact remains over 135 amendments were submitted on time to the Rules Committee, and a record-breaking number of 50 amendments are being allowed and made in order on this Defense bill. I think it is also important to respond to the claims that missile defense is not funded through this bill. Indeed, that is incorrect. The record should reflect that only in Washington can a program be provided and funded with billions and billions of dollars for numerous decades; and then say, oh, we are suffering. In fact, that is not the case. Madam Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Udall), a member of the Armed Services Committee.

Ms. CASTOR. I yield to the gentleman from Washington.

Ms. CASTOR. I thank my colleague from the Rules Committee because he is aware, and anyone who attended that committee meeting would be aware, that certain second-degree amendments were in fact offered by the other side of the aisle and were debated and voted upon in committee.

Ms. CASTOR. None.

Ms. CASTOR. I yield to the gentleman from Washington.

Ms. CASTOR

Ms. CASTOR. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. To my colleagues on the Armed Services Committee, I thank you for your diligence and hard work. Great thanks also to the professional staff of the Armed Services Committee. And I think we all must salute the great leadership of Chairman Ike Skelton, who produced a bipartisan product that passed that committee 58-0. Madam Speaker, I urge this Congress to chart a new direction today for a stronger and safer America. We will improve the readiness of our Armed Forces, including the National Guard and Reserves. We will put a stop on the blank check given to the White House by previous Congresses for the war in Iraq and, instead, require greater accountability for operations and contracting in the region. We will drive more strategic decisions and investments to better protect our national security. With that, Madam Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote on the previous question and on the rule. The material previously referred to by Mr. Hastings of Washington is as follows: Amendment to H. Res. 403 Offered by Mr. Hastings of Washington In section 2(c) after ``shall not be subject to amendment'' insert ``(except the amendment numbered 43 in the report, to be offered by Representative Michaud of Maine, or his designee)''. (Pretty much the same as what Mr. Sessions offered last night)

Ms. CASTOR. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. CASTOR. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Markey).

Ms. CASTOR. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Langevin).

Ms. CASTOR. Madam Speaker, I have one remaining speaker before the close, so I'll reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. CASTOR

Ms. CASTOR. Madam Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Ms. CASTOR. Madam Chair, in closing, I would like to thank Chairman Thompson and all of the hard-working members and staff of the Homeland Security Committee, and thank my colleagues from Florida, Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite and Mr. Bilirakis, for their bipartisan efforts to solve this problem. I urge adoption of the amendment. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. CASTOR. Madam Chair, I reserve my time to close.

Ms. CASTOR. Madam Chair, I rise today in support of this amendment. My amendment requires the Department of Homeland Security to work with the State of Florida and other States, if necessary, to resolve the differences between the Federal Transportation Worker Identification Credential, known as the TWIC, and Florida's existing access control card. You see, shortly after 9/11, the State of Florida enacted a law requiring a centralized biometric credential for workers in deepwater ports in the State of Florida, including the three ports in my district in the Tampa Bay area. This credential is known as the Florida Uniform Port Access Credential, or FUPAC. At the port of Tampa, we have credentialed over 39,000 port workers and the State of Florida has credentialed over 100,000 port workers throughout the State. This means that the FBI and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement have conducted extensive background checks. Meanwhile, the Federal TWIC, which was first mandated in the Maritime Transportation Security Act, was not finalized by the Department of Homeland Security until just a few months ago. The criteria in the FUPAC and the TWIC greatly duplicate each other. The Federal Government and the State of Florida must reconcile these credentials to ensure that our resources go to make our neighbors and our ports safe rather than satisfy bureaucratic red tape. The Florida Ports Council says that this issue and its resolution will have a profound effect on both the viability of our maritime businesses and the security of Florida's ports. As long as proper security requirements are being met, as they are with Florida's port credential, we need to spare the working folks who keep our ports moving from having to bear the burden and expense of undergoing unnecessarily duplicative background checks. The amendment offered today requires that the Department of Homeland Security work with the State of Florida to resolve inconsistencies and avoid unnecessary duplication between the TWIC and the FUPAC. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment which will aid Florida's strong maritime economy and ensure that valuable resources go to keeping our neighbors and our ports safe rather than to unnecessary bureaucratic red tape. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. CASTOR

Ms. CASTOR. Mr. Speaker, the Rules Committee is expected to meet the week of May 7 to grant a rule which may structure the amendment process for floor consideration of H.R. 1873, the Small Business Fairness in Contracting Act. Members who wish to offer an amendment to this bill should submit 30 copies of the amendment and a brief description of the amendment to the Rules Committee in H-312 in the Capitol no later than 1:30 p.m. on Monday, May 7. Members are strongly advised to adhere to the amendment deadline to ensure the amendments receive consideration. Amendments should be drafted to the bill as ordered reported by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. A copy of that bill is posted on the Web site of the Rules Committee. Amendments should be drafted by legislative counsel and also should be reviewed by the Office of the Parliamentarian to be sure that the amendments comply with the rules of the House. Members are also strongly encouraged to submit their amendments to the Congressional Budget Office for analysis regarding possible PAYGO violations.

Ms. CASTOR

Ms. CASTOR. I thank my distinguished colleague from the Rules Committee. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Hate Crimes Prevention Act. In doing so, I join with the majority of Americans and law enforcement agencies who understand that violent acts fueled by bigotry and hatred of a particular group simply because of who they are has no place in America. H.R. 1592, and this rule, strengthens and broadens protections for our neighbors for attacks based on disability, gender, and sexual orientation. This bill provides local law enforcement with tools needed to partner with our Federal law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute these hateful acts. Why is it needed? Well, unfortunately, in my area of Florida, bigoted crimes are on the rise. This week police arrested and charged two Pinellas County teenagers after they spray-painted anti-Semitic and racial slurs on nine portable classrooms at a local high school. Last month, a Polk County man was stabbed to death for being gay. Also last month, the Islamic Education Center of Florida in Tampa was set on fire, and thousands of my neighbors were left without a place to hold religious services. Last year, two men in neighboring Polk County were jailed on hate crime charges after they threw beer bottles at a club owner in Tampa, who happened to be speaking Arabic, and threatened to kill him. According to my local State attorney general's offices, 334 hate crimes were reported in Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties in 2004, up from 275 in 2003. Fifty-two of those hate crimes were motivated by sexual orientation in 2004. Nationwide, victims of hate crimes have reported an average of 191,000 hate crime incidents since the year 2000. This bill says that we as Americans do not stand for violent acts upon our neighbors based upon who they are; we will not tolerate terrorism against any group of people; and we will provide our local law enforcement agencies with the tools needed to prosecute you when you use violence to spread fear and hate. Members, I urge you to pass this important bill.