Rodney Frelinghuysen

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chairman, this amendment would impose greater restrictions on the intelligence community's ability to protect our national security and create an impediment to the government's ability to locate threat information already in its possession. Such an impediment, therefore, would put a lot more American lives at risk both at home and abroad. Colleagues, as recent events have tragically reminded us, this issue is critical to our national security. Lawful queries can enable analysts to identify potential terror plots, to identify foreign nations trying to hack into our networks, to locate foreign intelligence officers spying within our borders, and, yes, to locate hostage victims. These authorities were fully considered, as they should be, and we will hear in a moment from Chairman Goodlatte during the development and the consideration of the USA FREEDOM Act. Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Visclosky), my ranking member.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Stewart), a member of the Intelligence Committee.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the gentleman's amendment.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chairman, who has the right the close?

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chairman, before I yield my time, how much time remains on my side?

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chairman, I yield the remainder of my time to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Goodlatte), the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the opportunity to talk about the important investments our bill makes in our military, investments that the President's request simply did not make. As I outlined in general debate, this bill shifts roughly $16 billion from the President's request for the overseas contingency account, which we call in our bill also the war on terror account, for their operations into critical investments in our personnel training and equipment by providing a bridge fund for our overseas operations through the end of April of next year. Need I remind my colleagues that we currently have the lowest manning level in the Army since before World War II. At this time when North Korea, Iran, Russia are threatening international stability, ISIS isn't drawing back, and other groups are actually on the attack across the Middle East in northern Africa. This legislation also boosts the Army and Marine Corps end strength to begin rebuilding our forces eroded in strength and morale by years of underinvestment. We also have the smallest Navy since before World War I--World War I. Let me assure my colleagues that Russia and China aren't slowing down their shipbuilding, and neither is Iran doing the same in terms of their Navy. The readiness level for all of our services are alarmingly low, seriously risking our ability to defend American interests when called to do so. This is simply an unacceptable risk. It is the highest priority of all of us, and has been, on our committee, which is entirely bipartisan, to ensure that we have a strong national defense. We have corrected deficiencies to the best of our ability. With what the President has provided us, we have provided oversight and have promoted accountability. These dollars are well spent. I strongly oppose the gentleman's amendment. Mr. Chair, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gibson).

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chair, I yield to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Visclosky), the ranking member.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chair, I strongly oppose the gentleman's amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chair, law enforcement in my community, New Jersey sheriffs and police chiefs, are grateful for appropriate Defense Department equipment that allows them to do their jobs. It is all about, certainly, protecting the public, public safety, and allowing our law enforcement people to do their job on behalf of the people. I am proud to support the gentleman's amendment.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. First of all, I would like to recognize the gentleman's passion and perseverance on this issue. I do want to pay tribute to the gentleman's perseverance and strong feelings. We engage in the elevator since we share the same third floor. I just want to recognize his passion about this issue. Let me say, whatever the failings of Pakistan, they have been one of our allies for over 30 or 40 years, and the Coalition Support Fund does remain a critical tool to enable Pakistan to effectively deal with present and future challenges that are coming, quite honestly, as a result of our drawdown. It is a more cost-effective tool than putting more of our troops on the ground. I respect the gentleman's passion, but I strongly oppose his amendment. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chairman, before I yield to Ranking Member Visclosky, let me say that Dr. Afridi needs to be freed. We certainly want to go on public record that Pakistan needs to free this man who did remarkable things. He needs to be recognized for his courage. He needs to get out of prison or jail, wherever he is. I think all Members of Congress feel very strongly that he needs to be released. Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Visclosky).

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition to the gentleman's amendment.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Let me thank the gentleman for his amendment and his thoughtfulness and his concerns, which we share about a lot of projects we have invested in in Afghanistan. I understand the gentleman's intentions are well placed. There were a few projects that were initiated, and the Afghanistan Infrastructure Fund ran into hurdles, as construction projects do, and are yet to be completed. The construction hurdles are by and large complete. The Kandahar bridging solution--this is the plan to provide electrical power to Kandahar--should be completed soon. This was a top counterinsurgency priority. Initiated in fiscal year 2011, the Afghanistan Infrastructure Fund funded infrastructure projects in Afghanistan to lock in security gains and maintain stability by providing basic essential infrastructure to the people of Afghanistan. Our appropriations act enacted last year was not to extend funding or add any new projects but merely to have the authority to respond to out-of-scope adjustments on existing projects so they can be completed and functional for the Afghan people. We, of course, realize we have infrastructure needs here at home in the United States, but what message does it send to the Afghan people, yet to the world, that we would leave nine major power-generation projects unfinished, including the Kajaki Dam? Six of these projects are estimated to be completed by the end of the year, with only three completions remaining. May I say the committee opposes the amendment. They like to see these projects through so we can give the Afghani people a fighting chance. I am opposed to the amendment. I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Visclosky).

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the gentleman's amendment.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. The Department of Defense strongly opposes this amendment. They advise us that it would stigmatize cluster munitions, which are legitimate weapons with clear military utility, and are effective weapons, providing distinct advantages against a range of targets, and can result in less collateral damage than unitary weapons. The United States should be encouraging other states, such as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to upgrade their cluster munitions stockpiles rather than making it more difficult for new sales and transfers. Advancements in Sensor Fuzed technology have enabled newer types of cluster munitions to select and engage individual targets, which are not possible with older types of cluster munitions. These advancements in precisions dramatically reduce the likelihood of unintended harm to civilians and civilian infrastructure from the use of cluster munitions. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chairman, I continue to oppose the amendment. Relating to the newer munitions that I talked about a few minutes ago, with improved performance, Human Rights Watch stated that, in perhaps the greatest technological advance, Sensor Fuzed weapon munitions, known as Air Force tank busters, are capable of independently sensing and attacking specific targets, like armored vehicles. Without the Saudi order--this is a lot of what this is focusing on-- this U.S. production line will close in 2017, significantly impacting the industrial base and prevent future U.S. procurement. For the record, over 85 suppliers in 30 States will be shuttered. If the administration holds up or Congress blocks the sale, Saudi Arabia will likely purchase legacy cluster munitions from Russia, China and others, which, when used, will leave significant hazardous, unexploded munitions on the battlefield, further endangering civilians, as opposed to improve manufactured munitions. Therefore, for these and other reasons, I strongly reject this amendment. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.