Martin Frost

Mr. FROST

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this rule and in strong support of the Department of Defense appropriations for fiscal year 2001. This bill provides $288.5 billion in budget authority for the programs of the Department of Defense, the very programs that ensure the security of this Nation and which, in large part, enable our country to keep the peace and remain the leader of the free world. Mr. Speaker, this bill reflects the understanding of both Democrats and Republicans for the need to ensure that our national defense is second to none. This bill also reflects the understanding that in order for our military to maintain its global superiority, it is necessary to make substantial financial commitments in order to restructure our Cold War forces to meet the challenges of the 21st century. This bill addresses serious readiness deficiencies and equipment modernization shortfalls that have seriously strained the ability of our military forces to meet the demands of the many missions they undertake. I am pleased to support this revitalization of our armed forces. Among the important provisions of this bill, Mr. Speaker, is a 3.7 percent military pay raise and $12.1 billion for the Defense Health Program, which provides monies not only for active duty personnel and their families, but also to an unfortunately limited extent military retirees and their dependents. This bill does make positive strides in expanding prescription drug coverage for Medicare eligible military retirees but falls short in providing for a permanent health care system for military retirees. While I appreciate the fact that the bill contains a provision requiring the submission of a plan to Congress by an independent oversight panel no later than December 31, 2002, I would encourage the subcommittee to at least consider including the language of the Taylor amendment in a conference agreement since this amendment was agreed to by an overwhelming vote of 406 to 10 during the DOD authorization debate. We have made a promise to our military retirees, and it is time for us to keep it. Mr. Speaker, this bill also continues the commitment to a wide range of weapons programs that will ensure our continued military superiority in the skies, on land, as well as at sea. I am particularly pleased this bill includes $2.15 billion for the procurement of 10 F-22 Raptors, the next generation Air Force fighter that will assure our continued dominance in any air campaign against any foe in the future with air-to-air and air-to-ground capabilities. The bill also provides $396 million in advance procurement and sets aside an additional $1.411 billion for research, development, test and evaluation of the F-22. The bill also includes $1.1 billion for the procurement of 16 V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft for the Marine Corps, $336 million for 4 Air Force V-22s, and an additional $148 million for research and development on this important addition to our military arsenal. In addition, the bill provides $249 million for various F-16 modifications. Mr. Speaker, during the recent recess in April, I had the opportunity to travel to Bosnia and Kosovo to see firsthand the dedication of the men and women of our military who are serving there. I had the privilege of visiting some of the National Guardsmen from the State of Texas who are serving in Bosnia to see how they are faring under very difficult circumstances. I can say, Mr. Speaker, that these troops are doing a remarkable job and are fully aware of the importance and necessity of their mission. However, as I mentioned in the Committee on Rules yesterday, this bill does nothing to fund the missions that we have undertaken in Bosnia and Kosovo. Mr. Speaker, it is vital that funds to reimburse the Department of Defense for expenditures already made to meet our obligations in that region be included. It is simply not responsible to delay this funding, forcing the Defense Department to face shortfalls in critical operations and maintenance accounts during the last quarter of fiscal year 2000. I was certainly gratified when the chairman and ranking member of the committee assured me yesterday during the hearing before the Committee on Rules that this funding would most likely be included in the conference agreement on the military construction appropriations measure no later than August 1, and I know of their commitment to making the Department whole. However, Mr. Speaker, I think it is important that we all understand that American men and women are serving an important mission in Bosnia and Kosovo and this Congress has the responsibility to provide the money to make this mission a success without shortchanging other programs within DOD. I spoke with a representative of the Army this morning who told me that the Army faces a very bleak picture in the fourth quarter of this fiscal year if this money is not provided forthwith. It is unfortunate that this legislation is on the floor without addressing the money for Kosovo and Bosnia. Because if this money is not provided as an add-on to the military construction appropriation later this summer, the Defense Department and the Army, specifically, will be forced to curtail, drastically curtail, training and other activities that are critical to the success of their mission. Mr. Speaker, this is a good bill; and I urge Members to support it. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Frank).

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Dicks).

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Vermont (Mr. Sanders).

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

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. DeFazio).

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I respond that I reserve the final 2 minutes to close. There are no other speakers on the floor.

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of the time. Mr. Speaker, this is a good bill. It will pass with a very significant bipartisan vote of both Democrats and Republicans. I would only like to underscore one point that I made earlier in the debate, and I would hope that the leadership on the other side of the aisle in this body will impress upon the leadership on their side of the aisle in the other body how important it is to move the defense supplemental for Kosovo and Bosnia right now. Because while there is significant money in this bill for 2001, our troops face a crisis in the fourth quarter for fiscal year 2000, beginning in about a month, because of the inability of this Congress to fund what has already happened in Bosnia and Kosovo, and because of the fact that this requires our military to take money away from training and to take money away from the vital things that need to be done right now in the remainder of this fiscal year. So while it is laudable that we are going to pass by a significant bipartisan vote a good piece of legislation for the fiscal year that starts October 1, we need to move the money in the supplemental for the remainder of this fiscal year, or we are going to face a real crisis situation starting about August 1. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FROST

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to note the passing of one of the truly outstanding attorneys of the 20th century, Milton V. Freeman. Milton Freeman died on June 3 at the age of 88 after a long and remarkable career. He graduated from City College of New York in 1931 and received his law degree from Columbia University in 1934, serving on the law review. Following his graduation from law school, Milton Freeman spent the next 12 years as an attorney with the Securities and Exchange Commission. During his tenure at the SEC, Milton Freeman wrote many of the regulations that implemented the law that created the SEC, regulations that are still in effect today. I once introduced him at a meeting of my classmates at Georgetown Law Center as a ``famous author'' and, in fact, he was just that. He was the author of SEC Rule 10b-5, the heart of the SEC's anti-fraud regulations dealing with insider trading. But Milton Freeman was much more than just a pioneering SEC lawyer. For many years he served as managing partner of Arnold and Porter, one of the most prestigious law firms in the nation. He also took time to defend people accused under anti-communist laws at the height of the McCarthy era, one of the darkest periods in our history. Milton Freeman was a warm, generous person. He and his wife Phyllis befriended a group of insecure first-year law students at Georgetown who were friends of his daughter Nancy, who was also attending Georgetown. We spent a number of wonderful evenings at their home, evenings which somehow made the traumatic experience of the first months of law school a little more bearable. Another of Milton's four children, Dan, also became a lawyer and has served the U.S. House of Representatives with great distinction for many years. Dan is currently Chief Counsel and Parliamentarian for the House Judiciary Committee, a position he has held under both Democratic and Republican chairmen. Mr. Speaker, Milton Freeman was a good husband and father and a great American. He will be truly missed.

Mr. FROST

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, today I honor a dear friend and a great public servant Roy Orr of DeSoto, Texas. Roy has served his hometown of DeSoto in almost every capacity imaginable, and he has been elected to numerous public offices. First he was elected to the DeSoto Independent School District Board of Trustees, then he served as mayor of DeSoto, and most recently he served as County Commissioner. Recently, Roy finished his term as Chairman and Charter Member of the DeSoto Economic Development Commission. To list all of the boards, commissions, civic and church related activities that Roy has been a part of would be impossible. Recently, DeSoto's Mayor Richard Rozier and the City Council decided it was time to honor Roy Orr for his many years of service. Friday, June 2, 2000 will be declared Roy Orr Day in the City of DeSoto, and the linear trail system along DeSoto's Ten Mile Creek will be named the ``Roy Orr Trail'' in his honor. I deeply regret that I will not be able to join Roy on this special occasion for him. Therefore, I want to thank him now for all he has done to make DeSoto the wonderful place it is today. Congratulations on these tremendous tributes Roy, they are richly deserved for a lifetime of service.

Mr. FROST

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Jake Schrum, a tremendous educator who will soon be leaving his position as president of Texas Wesleyan University after a distinguished tenure. Under Jake's stewardship, Texas Wesleyan has become a truly first- class university--enrollment has doubled, the Annual Fund and operating budget have doubled, and the University has acquired a law school that is accredited by the American Bar Association. Jake has preformed important work in defining the role of the university in America's urban, multi-cultural settings. His Democracy's last Stand: The Role of the New Urban University, focuses on the mission of Texas Wesleyan and similar schools in maintaining an inclusive learning environment and serving the needs of a student body representing a broad cross section of America's college students. In addition to his service at Texas Wesleyan, Jake has served on numerous business and community boards and educational organizations in our Fort Worth community and around the world--working on educational issues in Europe, Mexico, and Canada. Jake has said that his primary interest in higher education is fostering the moral development of students. Jake will become president of Southwest University in Georgetown, Texas. Our loss will certainly be Southwest University and the Georgetown Community's gain. Thank you, Jake, for all you have done for Texas Wesleyan and our Fort Worth community.

Mr. FROST

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an outstanding Army leader in my District, Major General Barry Bates, as he relinquishes command of the Army & Air Force Exchanges Service, headquartered in Dallas, Texas. Under his strong visionary leadership, AAFES has served the military community better than at any time in its history. General Bates exercised astute management which led to annual sales of $7.3 billion and earnings of over $351 million. This produced the highest per capita dividend ($284 per service member) for Morale, Welfare & Recreation programs of our Armed Services. He improved the overseas school feeding program, the military family program, and encouraged youth by establishing a coupon program and Savings Bond drawing to recognize those achieving good grades. General Bates has expanded business partnerships, improved cooperation among DOD resale activities, and partnered with other services to develop exchange-wide credit card services. He has also advanced AAFES significantly in the application of technology. Internet sales have grown by leaps and bounds to $24.2 million in 1999. AAFES' Information Systems Directorate has won 13 major national awards and opened a state of the art Enterprise Technology Center. General Bates has made customer service a priority, positioning AAFES as a ``customer driven company.'' At the same time, he has focused on developing, training and caring for AAFES employees. The results tell the story: customer service has improved 25%, and associate satisfaction has increased by 14%. I've been impressed with the work of General Bates on two vastly different fronts. On a recent trip to Bosnia I shopped at a great PX at Eagle Base in Tuzla. This kind of operation is what AAFES has become known for--they go wherever our soldiers go. General Bates has inspired his team to provide great service on all the U.S. contingency missions. His commitment to be there for the troops was most evident when AAFES established a presence in Albania just five days after our forces arrived there. At the request of AAFES retirees, I worked personally with General Bates to guarantee the security of the AAFES retirement plan. He was courageous and unyielding in his fight to ensure that the retirement plan was protected for all AAFES retirees and associates. General Bates has positioned AAFES solidly for the future. His extraordinary leadership and business acumen have set a standard in Texas for quality operations that will ensure quality morale, welfare, and recreation programs for our Army and Air Force for years to come. A soldier's soldier, General Bates is now returning to Korea to command Army troops in that volatile part of the world. On the occasion of his departure, I want to thank him for helping Congress take care of the troops and their families, for caring for many of my constituents-- the wonderful employees of AAFES, and for serving his Army so effectively as the Commander of AAFES. I ask all Members to join me in wishing General Bates success in his new position.

Mr. FROST

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Cochise Cash. For many years now, Mr. Cash has been a leader in our Fort Worth community. He is a groundbreaking journalist, being one of the first African Americans to work as a television reporter in the Dallas/Fort Worth market. He has also given an enormous amount of his time to various charitable and community activities. In recognition of his dedication to his fellow citizens, this past September Cochise Cash was elected as President of the prestigious Southside Optimist Club of Fort Worth. Mr. Cash is the first African American president in the club's history. This is a high compliment to Cochise Cash and a fitting recognition of his many years of good work. Your family and friends must be proud of you. Mr. Cash, I'd like to thank you on behalf of all of my constituents, good luck in the future.

Mr. FROST

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a special young man, Makia Epie, of Cedar Hill, Texas, who is proving to be an outstanding addition to the Air Force Academy. Makia, who entered the Academy in the fall of 1997, has been named Flight Commander for the upcoming academic session. I know the entire 24th Congressional District joins me in celebrating this accomplishment. As Flight Commander, Makia will assist the Cadet Squadron Commander in developing and training the basic cadets. Makia will work to ensure that cadets develop the right military attitude and attention to duty. He will do this by setting an appropriate example in leading his flight drills. Makia's performance in the Air Force Academy deserves the highest praise, and I extend my sincerest appreciation for his service to his country. I wish him and his family the best in their future endeavors.

Mr. FROST

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this rule providing for the consideration of H.R. 4392, the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001. H.R. 506 is a modified open rule requiring that amendments be preprinted in the Congressional Record. However, Mr. Speaker, the preprinting requirement has been the accepted practice for a number of years because of the sensitive nature of much of the bill and the need to protect its classified documents. The bill is not controversial, and was reported from the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence by a vote of 12 to 0. Members who wish to do so can go to the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence office to examine the classified schedule of authorizations for the programs and activities of the intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the National Intelligence Program, which includes the CIA as well as the Foreign Intelligence and Counterintelligence Programs, within, among others, the Department of Defense, the National Security Agency, the Departments of State, Treasury and Energy, and the FBI. Also included in the classified documents are the authorizations for the Tactical Intelligence and Related Activities and Joint Military Intelligence Program of the Department of Defense. Mr. Speaker, yesterday the House considered and passed the authorization for the Department of Defense for fiscal year 2001. This bill and the activities it funds is another key and critical component in our national defense. The end of the Cold War has brought us a new set of threats, among them global terrorist operations, narcoterrorism and threats to computer security, in addition to threats against our military, our State Department representatives around the world and our citizens at home. Mr. Speaker, this is a noncontroversial bill, providing authorizations for important national security programs. I urge my colleagues to support this rule so that we may consider H.R. 4392. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FROST

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in reluctant opposition to this rule. The authorization for the programs and activities of the Department of Defense is one of the most important legislative proposals we will have under consideration during the course of this year. This legislation dictates the policies we as a Congress want to set for the defense of our great Nation and authorizes $309 billion to carry them out. A bill of this scope and magnitude deserves to be fully debated so that all points of view can be expressed and heard. Yet, Mr. Speaker, the Republican majority in the House has denied the Members of this body just that opportunity. A total of 102 amendments were submitted to the Committee on Rules, yet, with this rule now under consideration, less than one-half of that number will be heard. In addition, one of the most important policy issues relating to medical care for military retirees has not been fully addressed and a new amendment on the issue, an amendment that was not even filed with the committee, as was required of every other amendment, has been made in order in this rule. Mr. Speaker, shortchanging our military retirees to achieve short- term political gain is nothing more than a cheap trick. The committee went part of the way to solving this issue by making in order the Taylor amendment, but it did not make in order the more comprehensive Shows amendment. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Shows) has, since he came to Congress, been working diligently to fashion legislation that will provide meaningful healthcare for our military retirees. He has introduced legislation that would fulfill a promise that has been made to every member of the armed services: Stay in 20 years and they will receive healthcare for the rest of their life. Mr. Speaker, 298 Members of this body have cosponsored the gentleman's bill. Yet the Committee on Rules on a straight party line vote last night denied the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Shows) the opportunity to offer his amendment. Fortunately, the Committee on Rules has allowed the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Taylor) to offer his amendment, which expands and makes permanent the TRICARE senior prime program, or Medicare subvention. The Taylor amendment would make permanent a program which allows Medicare eligible retirees to use military hospitals for their Medicare care and would extend the program nationwide. The Taylor amendment is a very good amendment and should be adopted by the House. The Taylor amendment has been endorsed by a number of organizations, including the Military Coalition, the National Military and Veterans Alliance, the Retired Officers Association and the Retired Enlisted Association. Yet the Republican majority has made in order a substitute to the Taylor amendment, a substitute that can be described as nothing more than a poison pill. The Republican majority has deliberately set out to deny the House the right to fulfill a promise made long ago to those men and women who served faithfully and honorably for 20 years or more in our Nation's armed services. Mr. Speaker, it is a sad day when the Republican leadership in this House will not allow its Members to do the right thing. It is a sad day when the Republican leadership denies the House the right to vote on a proposal, which has overwhelming support of Members of both parties, for purely politically partisan reason. It is a sad day when the Republican leadership knows its own position is so politically indefensible that it will not even allow an up or down vote on a valuable and worthy proposal like the Taylor amendment. Mr. Speaker, this rule is deficient also because it has failed to make in order an amendment by the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. McCarthy). The McCarthy amendment strikes a provision in the bill which allows the Department of Defense to do business with firearms manufacturers and vendors who have not been party to a code of conduct agreement. This is an amendment that is worthy of consideration in the House and it should be made a part of this rule. Mr. Speaker, it is my intention to oppose ordering the previous question on this resolution. The fact that the Shows amendment has not been made in order in the rule and the fact that the rule makes in order a poison pill substitute to the Taylor amendment, the fact that a number of other worthy amendments, such as the McCarthy amendment, were not even given the time of day by the Republican majority, are reasons enough to oppose the previous question and the rule. Mr. Speaker, the Republican majority is shortchanging this bill by limiting debate on issues it addresses. The authorization for the Department of Defense is the single largest authorization we will consider this year. Yet the majority has seen fit to address less than half of the amendments offered to be considered by this House. Mr. Speaker, Members should reject this rule and allow the House to debate fully the many important policy issues that the Republican leadership will not allow us to consider. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. McCarthy).

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

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Taylor).

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

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 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Lowey).

Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, let us be clear as to what is at issue for our military retirees. We have a very good approach by the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Taylor). The gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Buyer) is saying do not rush into anything, do not vote for the Taylor amendment in its original form. Our military retirees have been waiting patiently for quite a while for resolution of this issue. What the Taylor amendment, of course, does is apply to those military retirees who have already reached the age of 65 and permits them to be treated at military hospitals and to have those hospitals reimbursed by Medicare. What the Shows amendment does is to not only address those military retirees that are already 65, but the large number of military retirees who have not yet reached the age of 65. And it would permit those retirees, those men and women who have served at least 20 years for their country, to participate in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, the exact same program that we as Members of Congress and our staffs participate in, and every other Federal civilian employee participates in. The Shows amendment is a comprehensive approach. It is the amendment that has a very large number of supporters in this House and it is an amendment that we are not being permitted to vote on today. That is regrettable. That is a comprehensive approach which would address the concerns of military retirees once and for all. We are not going to have that opportunity today under the rule as crafted. The Taylor amendment does provide some relief because it does provide an opportunity for those retirees who have already reached the age of 65 to be treated at military hospitals and have that treatment reimbursed by Medicare. The rule that we have before us today is an improvement over the rule yesterday, but it does not go as far as some people would like, which is to see the House have the opportunity to voice its views on the question of military retirees. Now, Mr. Speaker, I urge Members to vote ``no'' on the previous question. If the previous question is defeated, I will offer an amendment to the rule to make in order an additional 37 amendments, including the Shows amendment, which provides additional health care benefits for veterans. The McCarthy amendment, which removes provisions in the bill that punish gun manufacturers for abiding by voluntary gun safety agreements, and the Allen amendment, that deals with retiring or dismantling excess strategic nuclear delivery systems. If the previous question is defeated, Members will have the opportunity to vote up or down on all of those proposals. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to insert the text of the previous question and extraneous materials into the Congressional Record immediately prior to the vote.

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