Buck McKeon

Mr. McKEON

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the motion to recommit on H.R. 1540, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012. The authorizing language we have before us is a result of extensive bipartisan collaboration and unprecedented transparency, and to offer this motion at this time and on this very important bill is poor form and smacks of pure politics. It pains me that after such an effort on our part to work across the aisle, the Democrats have offered this motion. I fail to see where there's not been ample time and opportunity for input, discussion, debate, and resolution prior to this moment. I am dismayed that they would deem it necessary and prudent to play politics with this very important bill. I need not remind all here that we're a Nation at war with troops in harm's way in combat every day fighting for our security and the future of our Nation. During full committee markup, a total of 281 amendments were filed with 224 adopted. This compares to 172 filed and 137 adopted the year before. This process, throughout, has been historically collaborative and resulted in the legislation being passed overwhelmingly 60-1 out of committee. We had all kinds of time to bring an amendment that would be helpful like this, then they bring this one. There's no offset. This would just put us again above the allocation from the chairman. This is really more Democrat increasing spending. I oppose this motion and ask my colleagues to stand with me.

Mr. McKEON. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, pursuant to H. Res. 276, I offer amendments en bloc.

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, pursuant to H. Res. 276, I offer amendments en bloc.

Mr. McKEON. I urge the committee to adopt the amendments en bloc, all of which have been examined by both the majority and the minority. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to my friend and colleague, the gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Pearce).

Mr. McKEON. I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. McKEON. I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to my friend and colleague, the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Kingston).

Mr. McKEON. I ask my colleagues to support these amendments, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, I urge the Committee to adopt the amendments en bloc, all of which have been examined by both the majority and the minority. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. McKEON. I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to my friend and colleague, the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Luetkemeyer).

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, I rise to claim the time in opposition to the amendment, although I don't oppose the amendment.

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I thank the gentlelady for doing this. I think she is exactly right on. I think everything that we can do to honor these warriors who are out there fighting for our freedoms and freedoms of those around the world we should do. I thank you for this amendment. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. McKEON. I encourage all Members to support the en bloc amendments. I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to my friend and colleague, the chairman of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wittman).

Mr. McKEON. I yield the gentleman an additional minute.

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent that the debate for consideration of amendment No. 55 be expanded by 10 minutes, and that such time shall be equally divided and controlled by the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern) and myself.

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to my friend and colleague, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Kinzinger).

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Coffman), my friend and colleague.

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to my friend and colleague, the chairman of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee of the Armed Services Committee, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wittman).

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, might I inquire as to the time remaining.

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself the balance of my time. Again, I want to thank the gentlelady for her amendment. We have a good bill, this National Defense Authorization Act of 2012. It is a very good bill. We have a lot of good things in it; but this amendment, this amendment alone is reason to vote for the bill. I think we should all, on Memorial Day, on the day that you are requesting, and throughout the year, honor those who are willing to lay their lives on the line every day for us. I yield back the balance of my time.