Daniel Inouye

Mr. INOUYE

Mr. INOUYE. I agree with the senior Senator from New York that HEV technology is vital to the future success of the Army transformation and believe the Congress should support such technologies. This initiative of placing series HEV on a current successful weapon development program leverages the existing technologies and is the right course of action. I understanding that this modification will support initiating the timely introduction of series HEV onto a HIMARS platform. I can assure the senior Senator from New York that this committee will review this issue during the conference. I understand that utilizing the existing contract and previous accomplished work may be the best means to leverage the taxpayers' investment, as well as to accelerate the HEV weaponization for Army transformation.

Mr. INOUYE. I will ensure that the committee will thoroughly review this issue during the conference of the Defense appropriations bill.

Mr. INOUYE. The Crusader Program is vital to Army transformation and should be fully funded to meet the needs of the Army.

Mr. INOUYE

Mr. INOUYE. Madam President, on Tuesday of this week the Appropriations Committee met to approve the Department of Defense appropriations bill for fiscal year 2002, by a vote of 29 to zero. I am pleased to present the recommendations to the Senate today, as division A of this bill, H.R. 3338. I will focus my remarks on division A, the Defense portion of the bill. Later today, Chairman Byrd will describe the provisions of divisions B through E. I want to point out that I support the allocation of $7.4 billion for Defense contained in division B. Prompt action on this measure will ensure that our efforts to fight terrorism are fully supported. The House passed its version of this bill just last week, so you can see we have acted as expeditiously as possible to bring it to the Senate. I want to note to all my colleagues that this would not have been possible without the tremendous cooperation that I have received from Senator Stevens and his able staff. The Defense appropriations bill as recommended by the committee provides a total of $317,623,483,000 in budget authority for mandatory and discretionary programs for the Department of Defense. This amount is $1,923,633,000 below the President's request. The recommended funding is below the President's request by nearly $2 billion because the Senate has already acted to reallocated $500 million for military construction and $1.2 billion for nuclear energy programs under the jurisdiction of the Energy and Water Subcommittee. The total discretionary funding recommended in division A of this bill is $317,208,000,000. This is the same amount as the subcommittee's 302B allocation, and the House level. As such, my colleagues should be advised that any amendment that would seek to add funding to the recommendation would need to be accompanied by an acceptable offset in budget authority. This measure is fully consistent with the objectives of this administration and the Defense authorization bill which passed the Senate in September and is now in conference. Our staffs have worked in close coordination with the Armed Services Committee to minimize differences between the bills. In addition, we believe we have accommodated those issues identified by the Senate which would enhance our Nation's Defense while allowing us to stay within the limits of the budget resolution. Our first priority in this bill is to provide for the quality of life of our men and women in uniform. In that vein, we have fully funded a 5-percent pay raise for every military member and, as authorized, we recommend additional funding for targeted pay raises for those grades and particular skills which are hard to fill. We believe these increases will significantly aid our ability to recruit, and perhaps more importantly, retain much needed military personnel. We have also provided $18.4 billion for health care costs. This is $6.3 billion more than appropriated in FY 2001 and nearly $500 million more than requested by the President. This funding will ensure that TRICARE costs are fully covered, that our military hospitals receive increased funding to better provide for their patients and, by providing funding for ``TRICARE for life'', we fulfill a commitment made to our retirees over 65. This will ensure that those Americans who were willing to dedicate their lives to the military will have quality health care in their older years. This is most importantly an issue of fairness; it fulfills the guarantee DOD made to the military when they were on active duty. We also believe it will signal to those willing to serve today that we will keep our promises. In no small part we see this as another recruiting and retention program. In title II, the bill provides $106.5 billion for readiness and related programs. This is $9.6 billion more than appropriated for fiscal year 2001. The bill reallocates funding from the Secretary of Defense to the military services for the costs of overseas deployments in the Balkans in the same manner as the Pentagon does for the Middle East deployments. Through this adjustment and because of other fact of life changes in the Balkans, the committee has identified $600 million in savings to reapply to other critical readiness and investment priorities. For our investment in weapons and other equipment, the recommendation includes $60.9 billion for procurement, nearly $500 million more than requested by the President. The funding here will continue our efforts to recapitalize our forces, supporting the Army's transformation goals and purchasing much needed aircraft, missiles, and space platforms for the Air Force. For the Navy, the bill provides full funding for those programs that are on tract and ready to move forward. In some cases, delays in contracting have allowed the subcommittee to recommend reallocating funds for other critical requirements. Included in that, the committee has recommended $560 million for procurement to support our National Guard and Reserve forces. In funding for future investment for research and development, the measure recommends $46 billion, a 10-percent increase over the amounts appropriated for fiscal year 2001. The recommendation mirrors the Senate-passed authorization bill for ballistic missile defense. A total of $7 billion is provided under missile defense programs and an additional $1.3 billion is provided in a separate appropriation for the President to allocate either for missile defense or for counterterrorism. This is a balanced bill that supports the priorities of the administration and the Senate. In order to cut spending by nearly $2 billion, some difficult decisions were required. The bill reduces funding for several programs that have been delayed or are being reconsidered because of the Secretary's Strategic Review, the Nuclear Posture Review, and the Quadrennial Defense Review. The bill also makes adjustments that are in line with the reforms championed by the administration. No. 1, a concerted effort was made at reducing reporting requirements in the bill. No. 2, the bill also reduces funding for consultants and other related support personnel as authorized by the Senate. No. 3, as requested, the bill provides $100 million for DOD to make additional progress in modernizing its financial management systems. Finally, the bill places a cap on legislative liaison personnel which the Secretary of Defense has indicated are excessive. I would like to take a few minutes to address a couple of items that some press reports have mischaracterized about our recommendations. First, the committee has reduced funding for the Cooperative Threat Reduction Program by $46,000,000. Let me assure all of my colleagues that I strongly support the intent of this program. The $356 million that we include for the program will assist the former Soviet Union countries to dismantle and safeguard their nuclear weapons. However, the Defense Department has had a history of being unable to use all of the funding that has been provided to it in a timely fashion. As a result, at this time, the Pentagon has more than $700 million that it hasn't used yet. That is nearly 2 years worth of funds. In addition, under current law, the authorizers have limited the use of funding for certain activities. Even if this language is changed in the pending Defense conference, the Pentagon has not yet presented a plan for how they will use these funds. The committee has taken its action without prejudice. We are required to reduce funding in this bill by nearly $2 billion. We simply must make this type of reduction where we know they can't efficiently obligate the funding no matter how much we support the overall objectives of the program. Second, the bill provides discretionary authority to the Defense Department to lease tankers to replace the aging KC-135 fleet. This is a program that is strongly endorsed by the Air Force as the most cost effective way to replace our tankers. Despite what has been reported, the language in the bill requires that the lease can only be entered into if the Air Force can show that it will be 10 percent less expensive to lease the aircraft than to purchase them. In addition, it stipulates that the aircraft must be returned to the manufacturer at the end of the lease period. No business sector has suffered more from the events of September 11 than has our commercial aircraft manufacturers. The tragic events of that day have drastically reduced orders for commercial aircraft. We have been informed that Boeing, for example, will have to lay off approximately 30,000 people as a direct consequence of the terrorist attack. We have provided funding to support the airlines as a result of that tragedy. We are including funds elsewhere in this bill to help in the recovery in New York and the Pentagon. The leasing authority which we have included in division A allows us to help assist commercial airline manufacturers while also solving a long-term problem for the Air Force. I strongly endorse this initiative which was crafted by my good friend, Senator Stevens, with the support of several other members, including Senators Cantwell, Murray, and Durbin. I believe it deserves the unanimous support of the Senate. Today is December 6. Nearly one quarter of the fiscal year has passed. The Defense Department is operating under a continuing resolution which significantly limits its ability to efficiently manage its funding--most particularly, procurement programs. I don't need to remind any of my colleagues that we have men and women serving half way around the world defending us. Less than 1 percent of Americans serve in today's military. These few are willing to sacrifice themselves for us. They are willing to stand in harm's way in our behalf. They deserve our support. Nearly 3 months ago, our Nation was hit by a surprise attack delivered from out of blue. Forty years ago tomorrow we suffered a similar attack. In 1941, our Nation rose up together and we worked diligently to defeat this threat. I have been gratified to see our Nation come together in the past few months in a similar fashion. This is the bill, that allows us to act. This is the measure that we need to show our military forces that we support them. I know there are disagreements among some of us with specific funding levels in the other divisions of this bill. But, we should not let us get bogged down in a partisan squabble over how we pay for the war on terrorism. We have the Defense bill that is urgently needed to fight and win this war and to demonstrate to the world our resolve. For the good of the Nation, I urge all my colleagues to look to our objective and to support this measure. Let us take the bill to conference where we can work out an agreement that can be endorsed by the President. I urge all my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. INOUYE. Madam President, before I suggest the absence of a quorum, I would like to have the Record show how pleased the subcommittee is with the initiative offered by Senator Stevens, the Presiding Officer, and Senator Cantwell, on the KC-135 leasing program. It took much time and, I would say, much creativity, but I am happy that these great Senators were able to resolve this matter. We find now that a measure that should have been contentious is no longer contentious. I once again thank Senator Stevens, Senator Murray, and Senator Cantwell. Madam President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. INOUYE

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation be authorized to meet on Thursday, December 6, 2001, at 2:30 p.m. on the nominations of Jeffrey Shane (DOT) and Emil Frankel to be Assistant Secretary of Transportation Policy (DOT).

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation be authorized to meet on Thursday, December 6, 2001, at 9:30 a.m. on corporate average fuel economy reform (CAFE).

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be authorized to meet to conduct a hearing on ``Department of Justice Oversight: Preserving Our Freedoms while Defending Against Terrorism'' on Thursday, December 6, 2001 at 10 a.m. in Dirksen Room 106. Witness: The Honorable John Ashcroft, United States Attorney General, Department of Justice, Washington, DC.

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, December 6 at 9:30 a.m. To conduct a hearing. The committee will receive testimony on the negotiations for renewing the Compact of Free Association.

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Foreign Relations be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, December 6, 2001 at 10:30 a.m. to hold a hearing titled, `The Future of Afghanistan'. Agenda

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on December 6, 2001, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing on the nomination of Mr. J. Joseph Grandmaison, of New Hampshire, to be a member of the Board of Directors of the Export- Import Bank of the United States; and Mr. Kenneth M. Donohue, of Virginia, to be inspector general of the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Governmental Affairs be authorized to meet on Thursday, December 6, 2001 at 9 a.m. to hold a hearing entitled ``Weak Links: Assessing the Vulnerability of U.S. Ports and Whether the Government is Adequately Structured to Safeguard Them.''

Mr. INOUYE

Mr. INOUYE. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that Duane Seward of Senator Kennedy's office, Douglas Jackson of my staff, and John Kem, an intern on the Appropriations Committee staff, be granted floor privileges during consideration of the Defense appropriations bill for the fiscal year 2002.

Mr. INOUYE. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that David Dorsey and David Bowen of Senator Kennedy's office and Susan Seaman of Senator Mikulski's office be granted floor privileges during the consideration of this measure.

Mr. INOUYE

Mr. INOUYE. Of that, how much is proposed to be set aside?

Mr. INOUYE. The pipeline has not decimated the caribou flock?

Mr. INOUYE. Will my good friend yield for a question?

Mr. INOUYE. I thank the Senator very much.

Mr. INOUYE. When we speak of ANWR, what are we talking about?

Mr. INOUYE. I recall during the pipeline debate many of my colleagues and friends were suggesting the pipeline would decimate the caribou flock. I gather now that it has increased tenfold.

Mr. INOUYE. How large is that acreage?

Mr. INOUYE. It is a small part of it?

Mr. INOUYE

Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, in my years in the Senate, I have had the opportunity to meet and get to know many of our men and women in uniform. I have always been struck by their enthusiasm, determination, patriotism, and professionalism. Yet sometimes, even in such impressive company, you run across an individual who stands out above the rest. Lt. Suzy DePrizio is one of those standouts. Lt. DePrizio serves today as the legislative affairs officer for the United States Pacific Command, located in my home State of Hawaii. I've gotten to know Lt. DePrizio on my many trips to visit the command. Lt. DePrizio has constantly provided my staff and me timely, valuable and accurate information on the critical issues of the day. Her energetic determination and competence inspire all those who work with her. I know first hand from my discussions with Admiral Blair, the commander of the Pacific Command, what a high regard the entire staff of PACOM has for this tremendously talented young officer. No matter how difficult the challenge, Suzy was always up to the task. Her behind- the-scenes efforts to prepare for congressional testimony were recognized by those of us in this business as exemplary. The CINC was always well prepared because of her efforts. I also know from many of my colleagues that traveled into the Pacific region how smoothly their travel went because of her coordination and attention to detail. I would always tell them, ``ask for Suzy, she'll get the job done right.'' Of course, she always did. As Lt. Deprizio prepares to leave active duty in the Navy for a civilian career, I salute her for a job well done. On behalf of the entire U.S. Congress, I want to thank America for sending us proud and patriotic professionals such as Lt. Deprizio. She is certainly among our Nations's finest, and she gave tenfold compared to what she received. In Hawaii, we have many traditions and blessings, one of which is the spirit of Aloha,--not just hello or goodbye or love, but the spirit of giving. When you put it together with the word `aina, it becomes the Hawaiian phrase for patriotism. And, if there ever was an officer who had the spirit of aloha' aina for the Congress, the Armed forces and for America, it is Lt. Suzy DePrizio. In that spirit, we send her on her way, wishing her fair winds and following seas in everything she does.

Mr. INOUYE

Mr. INOUYE. Madam President, Senators Hollings and McCain have done an outstanding job of bringing this important legislation to a final conclusion. Hopefully, this measure will help fully restore consumer confidence in air travel and prevent any future use of airplanes as weapons of mass destruction. This measure includes critical provisions to ensure cockpit security. In addition to the specific measures identified, this measure also authorizes the Federal Aviation Administration to take additional action as may be necessary to ensure the safety and security of the aircraft. One additional safety concern that I wish to raise relates to potential threats caused by smoke in the aircraft, including smoke resulting from small incendiary devices which could affect the cockpit crew's ability to see and operate essential instruments to safely control and land airplanes. I would like to take this opportunity to ask Chairman Hollings whether the language in section 104(a)(1)(B) will authorize the FAA Administrator to consider whether safety and security procedures may be necessary to ensure the integrity of the flight deck during smoke emergencies.

Mr. INOUYE

Mr. INOUYE. I rise to congratulate and commend Chairman Hollings and Senator Gregg and their staff for their tireless work in crafting the Conference Report on the Fiscal Year 2002 Appropriations Bill for the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State and the Judiciary. Because of their efforts, we have before us today a fair bill that puts aside partisan politics in favor of delivering to the American people the governmental programs and support they need. I know from personal experience how difficult it can be to strike balances among competing interests, and the introduction of the tragic events of September 11, 2001, have only compounded these difficulties. The efforts of my friends, Chairman Hollings and Senator Gregg, were supported by the work of their extraordinary staff. Under the leadership of Ms. Lila Helms on the majority side, and Mr. Jim Morhard on the minority, this dedicated crew stayed late and came in on weekends to help my distinguished colleagues put together a conference report that every one of us can vote for with pride. Accordingly, I also wish to extend my congratulations to each member of Chairman Hollings' staff, Ms. Lila Helms, Ms. Jill Shapiro Long, Mr. Luke Nachbar, and Mr. Dereck Orr, and to each member of Mr. Gregg's staff, Mr. Jim Morhard, Ms. Katherine Hennessey, Mr. Kevin Linsky, and Ms. Nancy Perkins. Ladies, gentlemen, my esteemed colleagues, I salute you all.