Martin Frost

Mr. FROST

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California, Mr. Sherman. (Mr. SHERMAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel), the ranking member of the Committee on Ways and Means. (Mr. RANGEL asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Frank).

Mr. FROST

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Bentsen). (Mr. BENTSEN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey). (Ms. WOOLSEY asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I would ask how much time we have remaining.

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Sanchez).

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Matheson).

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Turner).

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 45 seconds to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Inslee). (Mr. INSLEE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I would ask if the gentleman from New York has any other speakers.

Mr. FROST

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Udall). (Mr. UDALL of Colorado asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pascrell).

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, as we speak, Mr. Speaker, the brave men and women of the U.S. military are halfway around the world waging and winning the war on terrorism. Their courage and professionalism are a fitting tribute to the strength and unity of the United States of America. At the same time, the American people have pulled together to support the war abroad, and to protect each other here at home. Here in Congress, there is strong bipartisan support for America's Armed Forces. The history of this defense authorization bill reflects that fact. In August, the House Committee on Armed Services reported its original version on a bipartisan vote of 58-1. The full House then passed H.R. 2586 by a vote of 398-17 on September 25. I am confident that another large, bipartisan majority will pass this conference report today. Mr. Speaker, that is because Democrats and Republicans are strongly committed to America's national defense and to the first rate military that carries it out. The security of the United States of America is not a partisan issue. Mr. Speaker, this is a good conference report, and the gentleman from Arizona (Chairman Stump) and the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton), the ranking Member, deserve tremendous credit for their hard work for America's troops. This conference report provides $7 billion to combat terrorism and defeatN O T I C E Effective January 1, 2002, the subscription price of the Congressional Record will be $422 per year or $211 for six months. Individual issues may be purchased for $5.00 per copy. The cost for the microfiche edition will remain $141 per year with single copies remaining $1.50 per issue. This price increase is necessary based upon the cost of printing and distribution. Michael F. DiMario, Public Printer weapons of mass destruction, a substantial and much-needed increase. It provides for a significant military pay raise, and for substantial increases in critical readiness accounts. It strengthens research for tomorrow's weapons and equipment, while providing the weapons and equipment the U.S. military needs today. Mr. Speaker, I am especially pleased by the substantial quality of life improvements in this bill. It includes a significant pay raise of between 5 and 10 percent for every member of the military. And to boost critical mid-level personnel retention, much of the pay raise will be directed toward junior officers. The bill also significantly increases health benefits for servicemembers and their families, and it provides $10.5 billion, some $528 million more than the President requested, for military construction and family housing, because the men and women who defend America should not have to live and work in substandard facilities. I am also pleased that this conference report continues to fund the wide range of weapons programs that ensure our military superiority throughout the world. For instance, it includes more than $2.6 billion for the initial production of 13 of the F-22 Raptor aircraft, the next- generation air dominance fighter for the Air Force. The conference report also includes $379 million for F-22 advance procurement for fiscal year 2003, and more than $865 million for research and development for this aircraft. Additionally, Mr. Speaker, the conference report provides some $1.5 billion for continued development of the Joint Strike Fighter, the high-technology, multi-role fighter of the future for the Air Force, the Navy and the Marines. And it includes $1.3 billion for the procurement of 11 MV-22 Osprey aircraft for the Marine Corps, and $559.4 million for research and development for the Navy, Air Force and Special Operations Command versions of this vital aircraft. Mr. Speaker, all of these aircraft are important components in our national arsenal, and moving forward on their research and production sends a clear signal that the United States has no intention of relinquishing our air superiority. The first duty of the Congress, Mr. Speaker, is to provide for the national defense and for the men and women who protect it. This bipartisan bill does a great deal to improve military readiness and to improve the quality of life for our men and women in uniform, as well as for their families. For that reason, I urge the adoption of this rule and of this bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Maine (Mr. Baldacci).

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee). (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 1 minute. Mr. Speaker, this is a good piece of legislation. This is the House of Representatives operating on a bipartisan basis at its highest level. I urge adoption of this rule and adoption of this conference report. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FROST

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 6 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Hastings), a member of the Committee on Rules.

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Indiana (Ms. Carson).

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis).

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Watt).

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro).

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Menendez). (Mr. MENENDEZ asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Sanchez).

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Missouri (Ms. McCarthy). (Ms. McCARTHY of Missouri asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)