Rodney Frelinghuysen

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Further, SOCOM has provided no information or data to support this costly new endeavor, and Congress has raised questions in both the authorization bill and the appropriations bill about the affordability and efficacy of this program. As our mark reflects, we have also raised serious concerns regarding SOCOM's prioritization of its requirements. Again this year, SOCOM proposed to fund their flying hour readiness programs at only 67 percent of their requirement, so they could fund these new contractors and facilities. They then made restoration of flying hours their number one unfunded priority. I believe it is ill-advised to provide a 50 percent increase to hire personal trainers, sports nutritionists, and sports psychologists for special operators at an average cost in excess of $200,000. With all due respect, all those who serve in our military--men and women, whether they be Active Duty, Guard, and Reserve or whether they are special operators--deserve the type of equipment and programs that keep them healthy and steadfast.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chairman, we have $19 million specifically to address the high incidence of suicide among our special operators, so it is not only servicewide, but we recognize the special burdens that special operators bear through their incredible work.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chairman, I reserve a point of order on the amendment.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Will the gentlewoman yield?

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. I withdraw my reservation. We on the committee commend the gentlewoman for her concern for the health and well-being of all of our brave men and women in uniform. Taking care of the health and welfare of our servicemembers is of paramount importance and a concern to all of us. I can assure you that both Mr. Visclosky and I will work with you as well as the money we put in our bill to address the concerns you have rightly raised. I thank you for yielding.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. I appreciate the gentleman's interest in defending our borders, appreciate your raising this important issue, and we support your amendment. Thank you for yielding.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. We on the committee thank the gentleman from New York for his concern regarding funding levels for traumatic brain injury, posttraumatic stress disorder, and psychological health research. Just for the record, you should know that our bill does include $414 million, including a plus-up of $125 million above the request level of $289 million for all of those important issues. We appreciate his work and his willingness to work with us, and we accept his amendment.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. The committee would like to thank you, the gentleman from Massachusetts, the gentleman from North Carolina, and your colleagues for sponsoring this amendment. The $3 million would be added to the $3 million which the committee, Mr. Visclosky and I, put into our bill for similar purposes.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. We on the committee thank you for this amendment. Understanding your professional background and many of our constituents suffering under Alzheimer's, we are supportive of it.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. I am sure the ranking member and I would be pleased to work with you on this issue

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Let me associate myself with the ranking member's comments earlier. We need to see the amendments. We are not seeing the amendments on a timely basis. As a basic courtesy, it would be helpful if both sides were provided with amendments by our colleagues. Relative to this amendment, for the last several years, the National Guard has not even been able to spend the amount of money we have provided for counternarcotics, but instead has actually chosen to return funds to the Treasury; hence, the adjustment this year to actually re-source the National Guard. Also, for the record, Mr. Chairman, the intent of the gentleman's request is to purchase equipment. This account does not provide resources to buy helicopters. This account provides funds for the National Guard's States' plan, operational funding, it is not money that can be used to buy helicopters. I urge a ``no'' vote.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chairman, I move that the Committee do now rise.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. The committee wants to commend the gentleman for his support of this program. As you know, this program currently operates, I think, at 65 military installations and facilities around the country. This would increase that amount. And what is good about it is military volunteers are, in their own free time and volunteer capacity, doing some remarkable things with these young people. So we commend you for your efforts. I know I share similar views to Ranking Member Visclosky, if you would yield to him.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chairman, could we have it read so we know which amendment we are working on? Otherwise, I will reserve a point of order on the gentleman's amendment.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to withdraw my objection.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. I can say, and I am sure my colleagues would agree, your service in the Congress has been enormously beneficial because you have been perhaps one of the strongest advocates on behalf of those with mental illness. And certainly, your service in the Navy Reserve as a psychologist is one of the reasons when you get up to talk, people listen. So we are certainly accepting of your amendment and acknowledge your very, very strong and well-reasoned advocacy. Our bill, of course, does make investments. This will make more investments, and we look forward to working with you and relying on your expertise and your advocacy. I thank you for yielding.

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