Rodney Frelinghuysen

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN

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

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to the amendment. Mr. Chair, I do respect the strong feelings of those gentlemen who proposed this amendment. In order to prosecute the global war on terrorism, one of our primary current missions, the President, our Commander in Chief, relies on existing authorization of military force. Any attempt to deny funding for efforts in Libya would allow ISIL outposts in northern Africa to continue to flourish, and, indeed, they are there. This AUMF, better known as the 9/11 AUMF, is currently used by the President, the Department of Defense, and the United States military forces to address conducting campaigns against terrorism worldwide. It has been used by this President and by his predecessor, Bush, since 2001. An amendment of this nature would tie our Nation's hands and the ability of our Commander in Chief to address worldwide terrorism. This amendment would essentially cripple our ability to conduct counterterrorism operations with partner nations, with our allies, against Islamic extremists affiliated with terrorism. Once again, we know what the gentlemen are trying to do, and we honor that effort; but this is a major policy decision, and so, as a consequence, I oppose their amendment. 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 reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chairman, I urge opposition to this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong opposition to the gentlewoman's amendment. The United States needs to train those who are willing to fight ISIL in Syria so that the United States doesn't have to, so that we don't have to send more of our troops over there to do the job. The Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant was formed in April of 2013, growing out of al Qaeda in Iraq, and since has become one of the main jihadist groups in Syria and Iraq. Although this bill contains no direct language to fund the Syria Train and Equip Program, funding is available in the bill to fund vetted opposition. Syrian citizens have experienced bombing by its own government, the overrun of cities by ISIL and ISIL's actions to eradicate many of the country's many ethnic and religious authorities, as well as we know, their well-known destruction of sacred and historic sites. They will stop at nothing to promote hate and, yes, perhaps do things here in the United States. This amendment would cripple our ability to conduct counterterrorism operations with partner nations. For the record, U.S. air strikes have killed over 25,000 ISIL fighters. Without this funding, these air strikes would cease. ISIL footing in Iraq and Syria is a springboard for terrorism worldwide. This amendment would effectively eliminate the President's ability-- our commander in chief's ability--to address this threat. And it would allow its further growth, ISIL's further growth, in North Africa, the Horn of Africa, and elsewhere, and leave our country and our allies even more vulnerable to attacks. I strongly oppose the amendment. I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Visclosky), the ranking member.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chairman, I concur with the ranking member's comments most strongly. I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong opposition to the McGovern-Lee amendment. The fight against the Islamic State in Iraq and Levant is being waged using the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force, better known as the 9/11 AUMF to prosecute the global war on terrorism. There are soldiers on the ground as we speak. They are truly doing the work of the Lord and the work for freedom, and we need to recognize that. Our Nation needs to retain this validated congressionally approved Authorization for Use of Military Force to contain the fight against terrorism around the world. The Commander in Chief needs it. This amendment makes a major policy change that does not belong in our bill. I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Visclosky), the ranking member, for any comments he may wish to make.

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

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

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

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chair, this is a major policy change that does not belong in an appropriations bill. I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chair, recent disaster events in Yemen and, most recently, frightening developments both in Iraq and Syria have shown that terrorist affiliates and new terrorist groups are on the rise. This amendment would effectively eliminate the President's ability to address those threats and others that are coming our way, and so I strongly oppose the gentlewoman's amendment. I ask for opposition to the amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chairman, I urge opposition to the amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chairman, I rise to support the gentlewoman's amendment. As she has well said, military bands play a very important role in recruiting, retention, and community relations. They also provide patriotic and inspirational music to improve the morale of our soldiers, sailors, and airmen. All of us support these roles. Literally, such music makes our heart sing. However, I agree that we should consider prohibiting the use of funding for certain events. The bands play an important role during ceremonies recognizing the sacrifices of the fallen, but they are not appropriate at every event. I look forward to working with the gentlewoman as we approach conference to ensure that the language we include addresses the gentlewoman's concerns. If the gentlewoman would agree to work with me and Mr. Visclosky on this issue, I am sure we will be pleased to accept her amendment. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank our colleague for raising this issue. May I say that I associate my comments with the ranking member as well. Mr. Putin uses Russia's vast energy reserves as a political tool--we know that--to support his aspirations in Eastern Europe. This raises, as Mr. Visclosky says, serious concerns and reminds us how important it is to ensure that our military is not solely dependent on Russian energy. I do have some general concerns regarding the unintended consequences, which Mr. Visclosky relates, borne out of an amendment which prohibits the use of any or all foreign energy sources on overseas military bases, specifically as it relates to the European Reassurance Initiative, which is included in our bill, or an amendment which is drafted specifically to prohibit funds from being used to procure Russian energy anywhere in the world. I look forward to working with Mr. Barletta and Mr. Visclosky and our entire committee to ensure that our military bases in Europe can continue to rely on their present-day sources of energy.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the gentleman bringing this issue to our attention, and I am pleased to accept his amendment.