Buck McKeon

Mr. McKEON

Mr. McKEON. Madam Speaker, I thank the ranking member for yielding. It's been said that Abraham Lincoln said, ``You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift. You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong. You cannot help the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer. You cannot further the brotherhood of man by encouraging class hatred. You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich. You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than you earn. You cannot build character and courage by taking away man's initiative and independence. You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves.'' Madam Speaker, what we're doing here violates all of these principles that Abraham Lincoln spoke so eloquently about. I rise today in strong opposition to this Pelosi bill of over 2,000 pages. At a time when we are suffering the highest unemployment in this country since 1983, the American people can't afford these massive new spending increases, and I refuse to pass this great burden on to my children and grandchildren. I offered two amendments to try to improve this bill: one to require Members of Congress to enroll in the public option like we're going to require all of you to do, and one that said that illegal immigrants would not receive new benefits under this new bill; commonsense provisions that were voted down by the Democrats in the Rules Committee. In fact, Democrats voted down every single Republican amendment but one. How is that for bipartisanship? This legislation increases taxes, kills jobs, and costs over $1 trillion in money we don't have. The Republican plan will cut costs through tort reform, negotiating across State lines, and through purchasing power. Support the Republican alternative and oppose the Pelosi plan. This is an absolute disaster.

Mr. McKEON

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to join my colleagues in honoring the lives of the brave soldiers and civilians who were killed or wounded in the tragic attack at Fort Hood yesterday. I know the country was riveted by the news, watching their TVs yesterday, trying to understand, trying to comprehend the tragedy that we saw. We expect much of the men and women in our military and their families. We never expect to have violence appear on their front steps. I was listening to General Cone yesterday as he was trying to brief the Nation on the tragedy. One of the questions was, Well, aren't the military armed? And he said, This is our home. We do not carry weapons in our home. So they were unprepared to defend themselves against a dastardly attack from the inside from someone that they never would have thought would attack them, would come at them when they were least prepared. Mr. Speaker, I join with my colleagues to express my deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones, to the survivors, the Fort Hood family, and the entire United States Army. Also, I would like to thank those first responders, all those in the cities surrounding Fort Hood, the civilians that came to their aid and, as General Cone said, have offered so much to be of assistance. I think there are many that we need to remember in our prayers this day, and I thank all those for all that they have given.

Mr. McKEON

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to Speaker Pelosi's 2,032, and growing, page health care bill. Today we are at the highest unemployment level since 1983. The American people can't afford these massive new spending increases, and I refuse to pass them on to my children and grandchildren. This legislation will immediately increase taxes on American families and small businesses by $729 billion. The total bill will cost over a trillion dollars over the next decade, with money we don't have. And what do the American people get for all this new spending? A bill that you pay for now but doesn't give coverage for 4 years. Republicans have real solutions for improving access and affordability for American health care. We support tort reform to eliminate frivolous lawsuits. We support allowing negotiating across State lines and group purchasing power. We support choice of coverage without the government's forcing people into government-run health care. Oppose the Pelosi health care bill.

Mr. McKEON

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, 85 percent of the American public are happy with the insurance they have; 80 percent of them know that it costs too much. But all of them understand that when you try to do what the Democrats are talking about doing and adding a trillion dollars of expense, they understand we can't afford it. I have 30 grandchildren. I'm concerned about passing this cost on to my children and my grandchildren. This is a bill that we start paying for now, that the taxes start paying for it now, and it doesn't even start covering people for 4 years. What's the rush? Why don't we do something that's good? Why don't we have a Republican solution for improving and portability for American health care? We support tort reform that curbs frivolous lawsuits. We support allowing negotiating across State lines and group purchasing power, which will lower the cost of insurance. We support choice of coverage without the government forcing people into government-run health care. I strongly oppose the Democrat big-spending health care bill.

Mr. McKEON

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, this afternoon I rise to honor a good friend of mine and an esteemed former Member of this House. First elected in 1993, John McHugh represented New York's 23rd Congressional district honorably in the U.S. House of Representatives until this summer. Representing Fort Drum and the men and women of the legendary 10th Mountain Division, John joined the Armed Services Committee upon being elected and went on to serve as the Chairman of the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Panel; the Chairman of the Military Personnel Subcommittee; and the Ranking Member of the Full Committee. During his tenure in the House of Representatives, John was a tireless advocate for America's military personnel and their families and known by his colleagues as a leader on national defense and security issues. One of his best attributes was his willingness to sit down with our troops--active, Guard and reserve, and their family members at every level of the chain of command--to hear their views and concerns. From his leadership positions with the Armed Services Committee and with little fanfare, John traveled across the globe--from the United States and Europe to active combat zones in Iraq and Afghanistan--to hear directly from troops stationed and deployed overseas. Along those lines, John spearheaded more than 68 hearings, mark-ups, and briefings so he could hear a variety of views, make reasoned decisions, and translate those into legislative initiatives to ensure our military personnel have the best possible training, the most modern equipment and weapons systems, and the necessary resources to carry out their missions. Some of his accomplishments include: higher Army and Marine Corps end-strength levels, increased military personnel pay, reductions in the unfair tax on veterans' disability and military retired pay, and more military retiree benefits for our troops. It is for these reasons that President Obama tapped John McHugh to be his Secretary of the Army. In that position, John is continuing his work on behalf of the men and women of our military and their families.

Mr. McKEON

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, a few weeks ago, I held a town hall meeting in my district. It was widely publicized. We had a great turnout. We had about 1,200 people there. This is a district that was won by President Obama 49-48 percent, even though I'm a Republican, and I just thought it would be interesting to tell the other side what my constituents think just in case they're listening. Do you support the health care reform plan proposed by President Obama and the congressional Democrats? Yes, 12 percent; no, 81 percent. Overall how would you rate the quality of health care in this country? Excellent, 27 percent; good, 46 percent; fair, 11 percent; poor, 11 percent. Do you believe the Federal Government has a responsibility to ensure health care coverage for all Americans? Yes, 15 percent; no, 65 percent. Do you support the creation of a government-run public insurance option to compete with private insurance? Yes, 15 percent; no, 71 percent. Mr. Speaker, I think at least in my district the American people have spoken loudly and clearly that they don't want this Democrat government-run plan.

Mr. McKEON

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. McKEON. I am in its current form.

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I have a motion at the desk.

Mr. McKEON

Mr. McKEON. I'm happy to yield, at this time, 1\1/2\ minutes to our conference chairman, the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Pence). (Mr. PENCE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. McKEON. I'm happy to yield, at this time, 2 minutes to the Republican whip, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Cantor). (Mr. CANTOR asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I'm happy to yield at this time 1\1/2\ minutes to the ranking member on the Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Miller).

Mr. McKEON. I am happy to yield, at this time, to the gentleman from Maryland, ranking member on the Air, Land Subcommittee, Mr. Bartlett, such time as he may consume.

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, as legislators, we meet once again to address a wide range of important national security activities undertaken by the Departments of Defense and Energy. We all take our legislative responsibilities very seriously. This is especially true during a time of war, and it's always true of my good friend and colleague, Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton, the gentleman from Missouri. I commend Chairman Skelton for shepherding this bill through the conference process. Ike, you've done a remarkable job. As most of you in the Chamber know, this conference report contains hate crimes legislation. This is anathema to me. I am opposed to hate crimes legislation, and I am especially opposed to the procedure of putting it on a Defense bill--especially in time of war, using our troops to get this legislation passed. It's not germane to the work of the committee and needlessly introduces a partisan matter in an otherwise bipartisan bill. I've consistently opposed the passage of hate crimes legislation personally, and I continue to oppose it today. Unfortunately, congressional Democrats made the political decision to attach the hate crimes legislation to this bill. I oppose, as I said, using the men and women of the military as a leverage to pass this partisan legislation. What should have been included in the bill is concurrent receipts. The House bill included a one-year expansion of concurrent receipts of military disability retired pay and veterans' disability compensation for our medically retired veterans. The House provision should have prevailed over the Senate procedural hurdles. We owe this to our veterans. Though flawed, this bill has my support. This conference report authorizes over $550 billion in budget authority for the Department of Defense and the national security programs of the Department of Energy. Additionally, the legislation authorizes over $129 billion in supplemental funding to support operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere in the global war on terror. This bill rightfully acknowledges that the United States has a vital national security interest in ensuring that Afghanistan does not once again become a safe haven for terrorists and supports a comprehensive counterinsurgency strategy that is adequately resourced and funded by Congress. The conference report supports our strategy in Afghanistan in a number of ways. The bill authorizes $1.3 billion for the Commander's Emergency Response Program, which is unique authority critical to implementing General McChrystal's counterinsurgency operations. Additionally, the conference report authorizes $7.4 billion for the Afghan Security Forces Fund. These funds are the key to increasing the size and professionalism of the Afghan National Security Forces. Finally, this bill reauthorizes expired DOD contingency construction authority to rapidly authorize and build facilities needed to support the war in Afghanistan. With respect to Iraq, the report ensures that the Congress will support the President's plan to redeploy combat forces while providing our commanders on the ground the flexibility to hold hard-fought security gains and to ensure the safety of our forces. Mr. Speaker, as Members of Congress, we owe our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines the very best available equipment, training, and support in order to provide them with the best possible tools to undertake their mission. The provisions in this bill go a considerable way in demonstrating this support. In particular, the House provision prevailed in a couple of critical areas. This bill funds the alternate engine for the Joint Strike Fighter, provides $430 million in RDT&E for continued development of the F136 engine, and provides $130 million for F136 engine procurement. Finally, the conference report includes a multi-year procurement contract for additional F-18s. As a Nation, we owe more than our gratitude to the brave men and women in uniform and their families, past and present, for the sacrifices they make to protect our freedom. I am pleased that this legislation includes a 3.4 percent pay raise, which is a half percentage point above the President's request. We also increase active duty end strength by 55,227 over fiscal year 2009 levels. This is essential for easing the burden on our current forces. I'm pleased that this conference report prohibits any increases to TRICARE Prime and TRICARE Standard health care fees. Finally, the bill increases from $500 to $1,100 the maximum monthly supplemental subsistence allowance paid by DOD to low-income members with dependents, so that military members need not rely on food stamps. In closing, Mr. Speaker, I want to say to my fellow Republicans, I understand your opposition to the inclusion of hate crimes in the Defense authorization bill. I committed to each of you that this vote should be a vote of conscience, and I understand you're on the horns of a dilemma. I understand your opposition to hate crimes, and I understand this terrible position you've been put in. But I know that if you vote against this bill because of the hate crimes legislation, it does not diminish in any way your support of the troops and the men and women in our Armed Forces. When I became ranking member of the Armed Services Committee, I made a commitment to each of you and our men and women in uniform and their families that I would do everything in my power to provide our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines with the support they desperately need and deserve. As the ranking member of the Armed Services Committee, so long as America's sons and daughters are under fire in combat, fighting for our country, I have the obligation to support them first above everything else. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I am happy now to yield to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Akin), ranking member on the Sea Power Subcommittee, 2 minutes.

Mr. McKEON

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. And my good friend from Georgia that just gave a strong message of his support for hate crimes, I respect, and I have a strong feeling against it. But the issue that we are here on the floor talking about should be the defense of our Nation, especially when we are at a time of war. While the Senate was considering the National Defense Authorization Act, division E was attached to the bill as an amendment. The NDAA is an inappropriate vehicle for this controversial and unconstitutional legislation. Hate crimes proponents are using this important national security bill to get this legislation to the President's desk through the back door. This has no place on the Defense bill. It's not germane to the work of the committee, couldn't be added on in the House, had to be done in the Senate, and needlessly introduces a partisan matter in an otherwise bipartisan bill. We need a clean conference report that does honor to the men and women in uniform. There is one thing that we all agree on, and that is that violent crime is deplorable, regardless of its motivation. That is why all violent crimes must be vigorously prosecuted. However, a decision to prosecute should not be based on the status of the victim or the thought process of the perpetrator. Violence is violence and should be dealt with accordingly. We've had several meetings of the so-called ``big four'' talking about working on the conference report on this committee. Chairman Skelton and I were in agreement on this issue. We felt that it should not be added to the conference report. This bill passed in the House. It passed in the Senate. I don't know why they can't bring it to the floor as a freestanding bill and have it pass on its own. Why we need to attach it to a Defense bill is because the Defense bill needs to be passed, and people will vote for it.

Mr. McKEON. I think it's a crime to add it to a bill that is so important that we pass every year for our troops, for those men and women in uniform, that we have to muddy up the issue by putting a hate crimes legislation attached onto this bill.

Mr. McKEON

Mr. McKEON. Thank you, Mike. And thank you for holding this Special Order. I think you have done an outstanding job of getting out to the American people the problem with cutting our missile defense system at a time of war. I have been here a little bit longer than you. I came in 1992. In 1992, we had 18 Army divisions. We are down to 12 now. Actually, in 1998, we were down to 10. We've built it back up in the last 10 years. We had 24 fighter wings; we now have 12. We had 546 Navy ships; we now have 283. Do you detect a trend? Historically, we have cut our defenses after a war. We did that after World War I, so that when World War II came along, we were training with wooden dummy rifles and it took us a while to get built up into that fight. By the end of the war, we were building hundreds of planes a day, but it took a long time to get there. But the world has changed. We're not in a situation now where we can build up defenses after the fact. We have to be prepared ahead of time. We had a golden opportunity to do that. The President, earlier this year in the Democratic Congress, passed an $800 billion supplemental that was supposed to help us get out of the financial system that we're in. The President called for shovel-ready projects, things that could be done immediately to help the economy. Well, just a couple of things. I also serve on the Education Committee, and we had about $14 billion in that supplemental for education, education programs, the Pell Grants, which are very important. But to put $12 or $14 billion into IDEA and the same amount into Pell Grants--those are long-range things that will help in the long run--it showed where his priorities are, which it's good to find out where his priorities are. But at the same time, out of $800 billion, $300 million went into defense; $300 million out of $800 billion. Now, that $300 went to MILCON, which are important projects, and we need to build on military bases. Nothing went into weapon systems. When I came to Congress, we were building the B-2 bomber, and it was supposed to be 132 planes. That was what was needed for defense of our Nation. That was planned out. Everybody bought into it. Everybody agreed on it. They ended up building 21. At the same time, we were planning a new fighter because we needed it to compete worldwide with things that Russia and China were doing, and we were going to build 750 F-22s. In this last budget that was just passed in the House--hasn't finally become law yet. We're still in conference, but they have made a decision that now we don't need 750; we can get by with 187. I don't know what's changed in the world to make it all of a sudden much safer to give us 187, that that will now satisfy the need. It's a trend that's very disturbing, cutting $1.2 billion out of our ballistic missile defense. Historically, as I said, we have cut our defense after a war. I don't know that we have ever in our history cut our defense during not one, but two wars which we have going right now in Iraq and Afghanistan, and as you've mentioned, the problems that we see with Iran. Today's announcement that Iran has a covert uranium enrichment facility should really come as no surprise. Why develop a covert enrichment facility if Tehran claims its program is solely for civilian purposes? Why don't they tell the world? Why don't they brag about it if that's what they're doing? I think people understand there's a reason why they're doing it covertly. This deception shows a clear intent by Tehran to hide a growing nuclear weapons capability. In the unclassified judgments from December 2007 National Intelligence Estimate on Iran's nuclear intentions and capabilities, it was assessed that ``Iran probably would use covert facilities, rather than its declared nuclear sites, for the production of highly enriched uranium for a weapon.'' However, the NIE went further to say that ``we judge that these efforts were probably halted in response to the fall 2003 halt, and that these efforts had not been restarted through at least mid-2008.'' Well, what I heard this morning in the President's speech is that they had been building this plant secretly, covertly, to enrich uranium for years. These efforts have been restarted. Today's announcement means that previous estimates on when Iran could achieve a nuclear weapons breakout are now inaccurate. This disclosure also highlights just how uncertain our intelligence can be. Just a week ago, the administration explained that its primary reason, as you said, for scrapping the European missile defense system to be located in Poland and the Czech Republic was because the threat was now downgraded. In December 2007, our intelligence community judged that Iran didn't have a covert uranium enrichment facility. Now, less than 2 years later, it does. How, then, could the administration be so confident in its assessment that Iran can't develop a long-range ballistic missile by 2015, or maybe buy one from somebody? We need to be skeptical of policy decisions based solely on intelligence. Intelligence can be wrong as much as it can be right. We have to take into account that it cannot be, even with the best efforts of our Intelligence Committee, the sole basis for a decision. I mean, you can also look at human nature. You can look at past history. You can look at how they reacted in the past. Based on that, how can we expect them to react in the future? We've witnessed Iran successfully use a long-range rocket to launch a satellite into space, work closely with the North Koreans, who themselves appear to be pursuing ICBMs and continuing to expand their nuclear capabilities. What other covert facility programs does Iran have under its sleeve? Apparently, they came up with this information because they found out that we had already known about it, so now they're telling the world. What else do they have going on that we don't know about or that they're not telling us or that we're not finding out about? It's time for the Obama administration to do something concrete about it beyond pinning their hopes on upcoming talks and relying on Russia to protect our security interests. This starts with: stronger sanctions against Iran right now; robustly funding missile defense so that now we have defenses in place before 2018 or 2020, unlike the administration's plan; and an Iran containment strategy, working with our allies, which will deter Iran and will dissuade allies and friends from proliferating. I want to commend you, Mike, for the job you're doing as ranking member on the subcommittee. It's a very important job. I appreciate your holding this Special Order and getting this information out to the people. The American people have to understand this important issue. Our defense is our main responsibility. We do a lot of other things around here, but the defense of this Nation is our number one responsibility. We do a lot of things that we're not obliged to do by the Constitution, but this is our responsibility. I commend you for the job you're doing. Thank you for holding this Special Order.

Mr. McKEON

Mr. McKEON. Madam Chair, the Federal Family Education Loan Program has been in place since the 1960's and has successfully allowed millions of students to further their education. And yet the Majority, today, seeks to eliminate this program that works so well. It is innovative, creative, adaptive, and flexible, none of which the federally-run Direct Loan program can match. In contrast, the federally-run Direct Loan program began in 1992. It was supposed to ``compete'' with the private option. Included in the program was a subsidy to schools that participated in the new program; an incentive. It didn't work. The highest percentage of the student loan market that Direct Loans ever commanded was 34 percent. Despite the limitations of the federally-run Direct Loans, the Majority will vote today to shut the more successful FFEL program down and consolidate the entire federal student loan program into the Direct Loan program. In the Federal Family Education Loan program, which features a public-private partnership, there are more than 4,000 participating institutions. Students attending these institutions have received approximately $66 billion this year. In comparison, in the federally-run Direct Loan program, where the loans come directly from the government, there are roughly 1,700 institutions. Students attending these institutions have received approximately $22 billion this year. This is clearly a case of schools ``voting with their feet.'' The Administration has argued that the FFEL program is ``on life support,'' and does not provide a stable source of capital. With all due respect, this is like arguing that the federal government should directly manufacture and sell cars because the Administration is now assisting Chrysler and GM. For some reason, Democrats believe that with all of the different types of lenders out there--from mortgage lenders, to small business lenders, to consumer lenders--it is student lenders that are ripe for a federal monopoly. So to those who claim the FFEL program does not work, I would only ask you to look back on the last 40+ years before the credit crisis that crippled our entire financial system. The private sector is and has been a stable source of capital--it's one that has served millions of students and families for decades. Instead of trying to keep private capital and innovation out of student lending permanently, perhaps we should be looking for ways to bring it back. The Federal Government has its hands in the financial services industry, the insurance industry, the auto industry, and now wants to get its hands on the energy industry, medical industry, and the student loan industry. Not to mention a plethora of new Czars with no accountability to the American people. Saddling taxpayers with close to $50 billion in additional risk and stripping them of their freedom to choose how to best fund their education is completely irresponsible. And I find it truly remarkable that at a time when the federal government should be helping create a climate conducive to job growth that they would choose to eliminate an entire private industry that helps students, employs over 35,000 people, and is much more effective than a government run program. I urge a strong ``no'' vote on this bill.

Mr. McKEON

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to both send my deepest condolences to the families of the two brave firefighters lost in the ``Station Fire,'' which directly impacted my district, and to thank the thousands of fire and rescue personnel who have fought the largest blaze in Los Angeles County history. The tragic loss of Fire Captain Tedmund ``Ted'' Hall, 47, of San Bernardino County, and Firefighter Specialist Arnaldo ``Arnie'' Quinones, 35, of Palmdale, has hit our communities very hard. These brave men paid the ultimate price to protect lives and property of individuals they had never met before. This kind of heroism serves as a constant reminder of what it means to ``sacrifice.'' Each man and woman who dons a fireman's uniform does so knowing that there is always the possibility that they may not make it home to see their families. But in the face of this adversity, they still serve. Firefighter Specialist Quinones was a constituent of mine. He lived in Palmdale, California, with his wife Loressa. They are expecting their first child in the next few weeks. My heart goes out to his family. I know his spirit will live on and endure forever within their family. Fire Captain Ted Hall was a resident of Hesperia, California. He graduated from the Fire Academy in 1983 and served ever since. He was survived by his wife Katherine, and sons Randall, 21, and Steven, 20. My deepest condolences go out to his family as well. I was on the ground the past couple of weeks and witnessed, first hand, the bravery of the firefighters and rescue personnel during this fire. As I speak, firefighters have contained 61 percent of a fire that has, thus far, scorched 160,357 acres in the Angeles National forest. Firefighters have greatly limited the loss of property because of their valiant efforts to beat back the flames. The hot, dry conditions of southern California, coupled with swift winds make fighting these fires treacherous. Add in the geographic landscape that the firefighters must deal with and you can begin to understand the risk that every firefighter takes. For all of the work that I have witnessed and for all that none of us has seen, I thank you. Thank you for putting your lives in danger to protect those you don't know. Thank you for giving us all that comfort, knowing that you are there to help us in our time of need. And thank you to the families that must endure sleepless nights, wondering whether they will see their loved ones walk through the door one more time.

Mr. McKEON

Mr. McKEON. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to the Democrats' government takeover of our Nation's health care system. This new vision of health care in America is not something the American people can embrace. A bill allowing for government intrusion into the most private matters of our lives can never be justified. Let me share a couple of examples: Imagine you are 65 years old and you go in for your annual checkup. You are in fine health and you are expecting to hear that everything is fine. Instead, your doctor is required by unelected government bureaucrats to tell you of the proper way to wind down your life and enter hospice care. You may be in perfect health, but the government entered your conversation with you and your doctor and determined that you should really be preparing for the end of your life. This is just one single intrusion on page 424 of this thousand-page bill. Another example of government intrusion? How about the millions of seniors who may lose their choice of coverage when the government steps in and pares back the Medicare Advantage program? The $162 billion in cuts proposed by the Democrat majority will result in the loss of health care choices for rural Californians in my district. That's just another government intrusion on page 331 of this 1,000-plus-page bill. Madam Speaker, this bill injects government into all of our private health care decisions, and drives the deficit up by trillions of dollars, passing on mountains of debt and a ruined health care system to our children and grandchildren. Let's take the time to read this bill and give the American people the opportunity to learn how much this is going to impact their lives every day.

Mr. McKEON

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, the Democratic leadership has been demanding that we pass health care reform this week. That's very, very important, even though the bill doesn't take effect for 5 years. This is the bill. My constituents have been asking me to read the bill and I've been working on it. We now have three iterations of this bill. I would like to advise my senior friends at home to read it. Let me tell you, page 331, read about Medicare Advantage reforms and how they're going to take $168 billion out of Medicare Advantage to help pay for some other people. Read a little bit on page 425, 424, start reading about how they're going to have you, at 65, go in and have a planning session with a health care consultant on how you're going to die. Please, read the bill.

Mr. McKEON

Mr. McKEON. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding Member priority requests I received as part of H.R. 3326, the ``Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010.'' Requesting Member: Congressman Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon Bill Number: H.R. 3326, the ``Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010'' Account: Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDTE), Air Force Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Northrop Grumman Corporation Address of Requesting Entity: 1840 Century Park East, Los Angeles, CA 90067-2199 Description of Request: I requested and received a Member priority request totaling $6,000,000 for the B-2 Stealth Bomber Advanced Tactical Data. The Advanced Tactical Data Link (ATDL) on the B-2 would profoundly alter how these stealth aircraft like the B-2, F-35, and F- 22 communicate with each other in a high threat environment by allowing all three types of aircraft to communicate and share threat information. Sharing real-time threat information would improve lethality, increase survivability, reduce operating and support costs, and increase efficiencies. The USAF has acknowledged the need for such a critical capability and has provided funding to integrate a common data link into the F-35 and F-22. However, funding for integration of such a link on the B-2 has not occurred. This initiative would provide these significant improvements in the capability two to three years sooner than currently planned. Requesting Member: Congressman Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon Bill Number: H.R. 3326, the ``Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010'' Account: Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDTE), Air Force Legal Name of Requesting Entity: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. Address of Requesting Entity: 14200 Kirkham Way, Poway, CA 92064 Description of Request: I requested and received a Member priority request totaling $1,500,000 for Predator C Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. This project would provide the U.S. Air Force with a larger, next generation, jet-powered unmanned aircraft. The system would provide a more survivable, near-term covert capability to the U.S. Air Force and support our men and women in combat with intelligence and armed support. Improvements would provide higher speeds for quick response and repositioning, increased endurance, and the capability to fly into many areas of the world undetected. This project is aimed at meeting a Defense Department goal to rapidly increase the number of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicles. Funding in FY10 would facilitate construction and rapid acquisition of a Predator C UAV (to include hardware/software installation, spare parts, engineering, etc.) to begin testing and evaluation by the U.S. Air Force. Requesting Member: Congressman Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon Bill Number: H.R. 3326, the ``Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010'' Account: Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDTE), Air Force Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Advatech Pacific Address of Requesting Entity: 1849 N. Wabash Ave., Redlands, CA 92374 Description of Request: I requested and received a Member priority request totaling $3,000,000 for the U.S. Air Force Advanced Vehicle Propulsion Center (AVPC) which serves as a unique, world-class center at Edwards Air Force Base allowing experts to examine current and future engineering, design, and development of propulsion systems, space vehicles, missiles, and advanced weapon concepts. The Center's efforts are estimated to save the Air Force millions of dollars in future program costs through the integration of the best engineering, design, analysis, and cost tools from government, industry, and academia. Funding would allow the Center's engineers to incorporate recent technological advances into future Air Force space and missile systems, virtually demonstrating whether proposed designs are sound from operational, infrastructure, schedule, cost, reliability, and risk perspectives. Requesting Member: Congressman Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon Bill Number: H.R. 3326, the ``Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010'' Account: Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDTE), Navy Legal Name of Requesting Entity: HSAD Program Office located at the Naval Air Warfare Center Address of Requesting Entity: 1 Administration Circle, China Lake, CA 93555-6100 Description of Request: I requested and received a Member priority request totaling $1,900,000 for the Tactical High Speed Anti-Radiation Demonstrator (HSAD). This Air Force and Navy program was established at China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station in 2002 to demonstrate an advanced rocket propulsion system that can provide either twice the distance or half the time to target over solid propellant rocket motors. With flight testing successfully accomplished and propulsion system technology demonstrated, this funding request would allow the transition of HSAD designs into a tactical missile configuration for future use in Navy/USAF advanced weapon systems. In addition, funds would be used to develop next generation solid ramjet fuels and provide performance data to support missile performance. Requesting Member: Congressman Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon Bill Number: H.R. 3326, the ``Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010'' Account: Operations and Maintenance (OM), Defense Wide Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Southern California Logistics Airport Address of Requesting Entity: 18374 Phantom, Victorville, CA 92394 Description of Request: I requested and received a Member priority request totaling $1,000,000 for Upgrades to the Southern California Logistics Airport (SCLA) (the former George Air Force Base). The Office of Economic Assistance in the Department of Defense is tasked with assisting communities that are adversely impacted by defense program changes, including base closures. This project would provide funding from this office to the City of Victorville and the Southern California Logistics Airport (SCLA) to continue the growth and redevelopment of the former George Air Force Base, which was closed in 1992. This project would help SCLA better serve the logistics needs of the National Training Center (NTC) at Fort Irwin and the Marine Corps at Twenty-Nine Palms by connecting the fuel farm to the existing pipeline, installing defueling and AVGAS tanks, and connecting the fuel farm to truck loading racks located on the main tarmac. Requesting Member: Congressman Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon Bill Number: H.R. 3326, the ``Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010'' Account: Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDTE), Defense Wide Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Exquadrum, Inc. Address of Requesting Entity: 12130 Rancho Road, Adelanto, CA 92301 Description of Request: I requested and received a Member priority request totaling $2,000,000 for the Missile Defense Agency's Miniature Divert and Altitude Controls System (DACS). This project would help develop highly innovative, low-cost rocket motor technology. These motors would allow greater control of rockets and missiles in flight; a capability needed for missile defense efforts, new missile development, and space exploration applications. This technology achieves its goal by using safe, non-toxic propellants that are very high in energy allowing engineers to put more rocket propulsion capability in a smaller package.

Mr. McKEON

Mr. McKEON. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding Member priority requests I received as part of H.R. 3288, the ``Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010.'' Requesting Member: Congressman Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon Bill Number: H.R. 3288, ``Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010'' Account: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Transportation, Community, and System Preservation Legal Name of Requesting Entity: California Department of Transportation Address of Requesting Entity: 100 S. Main Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012 Description of Request: I requested and received a Member priority request totaling $750,000 for the Santa Clarita-Los Angeles Gateway Improvement Project. This funding would provide a portion of the $7.5 million needed for construction level design drawings needed to extend the high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes on the Interstate 5 (I-5) from the State Route 14 (SR14) Interchange to Parker Road and to incorporate truck climbing lanes from the SR-14 Interchange to Pico Canyon Road/ Lyons Avenue. The project would provide improved goods movement along this nationally strategic artery to Mexico and Canada from some of our nation's largest ports. Additionally, this project would improve air quality, reduce congestion, and improve safety. Requesting Member: Congressman Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon Bill Number: H.R. 3288, ``Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010'' Account: Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Buses and Facilities Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Santa Clarita, CA Address of Requesting Entity: 23920 Valencia Blvd., Suite 300, Santa Clarita, CA 91355 Description of Request: I requested and received a Member priority request totaling $300,000 for the McBean Regional Transit Center's (MRTC) park-and-ride facility project. This effort is a vital expansion of an intermodal, transportation hub that serves hundreds of local bus riders, commuters, carpools, and vanpools every day. This funding would be used to help construct a permanent park-and-ride lot (300 parking spaces), provide passenger loading areas, bus bays, and the infrastructure to service passengers using multimodal travel. These upgrades are necessary to accommodate the additional demand for transit service into the City of Los Angeles (a ridership that has increased 31% over the last six years), increase safety and efficiency, cut emissions, and provide economic development opportunities within the region. Requesting Member: Congressman Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon Bill Number: H.R. 3288, ``Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010'' Account: Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Buses and Facilities Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Palmdale, CA Address of Requesting Entity: 38300 Sierra Highway, Palmdale, CA 93550 Description of Request: I requested and received a Member priority request totaling $200,000 to assist the City of Palmdale's efforts to expand the Transportation Center's train platform to accommodate the additional Metrolink train cars. The project provides this extension to conform to current Metrolink standards, which were adopted after construction of the center. This project is vital to ensuring continued public transit access into Los Angeles from the Antelope Valley.

Mr. McKEON

Mr. McKEON. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding Member priority requests I received as part of H.R. 3293, the ``Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010.'' Requesting Member: Congressman Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon Bill Number: H.R. 3293, the ``Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010'' Account: Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)--Health Facilities and Services Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Victor Valley Community Hospital Address of Requesting Entity: 15248 Eleventh Street, Victorville, CA 92395 Description of Request: I requested and received a Member priority request totaling $250,000 to assist the Victor Valley Community Hospital with a modernization effort that includes the purchase of MRI Equipment, CT scan equipment, and Integration and Implementation, personnel, and training costs. Funding would also be used to provide advanced services such as arthritis care, behavioral health and counseling, community wellness programs, poison control, and senior health services. Requesting Member: Congressman Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon Bill Number: H.R. 3293, the ``Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010'' Account: Department of Education, Higher Education Legal Name of Requesting Entity: College of the Canyons Address of Requesting Entity: 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91355 Description of Request: I requested and received a Member priority request totaling $100,000 to assist the College with the continuation of its University Center Consortium, a program to provide increased access to higher education and advanced training. The Consortium would use this funding to increase the number of advanced degree programs available to non-traditional students and help increase the number of students pursuing higher education. Funding would also go toward books, planning, and evaluation. Requesting Member: Congressman Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon Bill Number: H.R. 3293, the ``Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010'' Account: Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)--Health Facilities and Services Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital Address of Requesting Entity: 23845 McBean Parkway, Valencia, CA 91355 Description of Request: I requested and received a Member priority request totaling $350,000 to assist Henry Mayo Hospital, the only hospital in the Santa Clarita area, with completion of the design and construction of a helipad and flight safety equipment at the hospital necessary to provide emergency care for over 680 square miles of the diverse geography of north Los Angeles County, which is one of the fastest growing communities in the nation. Funding is also critical to ensure that the hospital is able to maintain its relationship with L.A. County trauma system. Requesting Member: Congressman Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon Bill Number: H.R. 3293, the ``Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010'' Account: Department of Education, Elementary and Secondary Education Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Springboard for Improving Schools Address of Requesting Entity: 181 Fremont Street, Second Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105 Description of Request: I requested and received a Member priority request totaling $150,000 for the Improving Student Achievement in Palmdale Elementary School District program that provides Palmdale Elementary School District education leaders--board members, superintendents and district staff, principals, and teacher leaders-- with research-based training and coaching to help build capacity within their schools and districts to raise student achievement and narrow the achievement gap.