Buck McKeon

Mr. McKEON

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. We have been down this road before. Last year Mr. Holt proposed a similar amendment to our bill. In response we received statements from the Army and the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence stating their opposition to mandatory videotaping and interrogations. Today the Office of the Secretary of Defense has informed us that the Department strongly opposes this amendment. According to DOD, the provision would cause three main problems: it would severely restrict the collection of intelligence through interrogations. It would undercut the Department's ability to recruit sources. And it would impose an unreasonable administrative and logistical burden on the warfighter. A provision like this would create a public record that would go straight into terrorists' counter- resistance training programs. I strongly, as I said, oppose this amendment. At this time, Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Conaway).

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, I rise in very strong opposition to this amendment.

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, 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 myself such time as I may consume. The gentleman from Maryland's amendment would require the Secretary of Defense to place military personnel on U.S.-flagged vessels operating in high-risk piracy areas of the world's oceans. The gentleman's intention is good. All Americans are outraged about the recent outbreak of piracy and desire a comprehensive solution. But we also must recognize that commercial shipping lines bear responsibility to secure their cargoes and should not be given free protection by U.S. military personnel everywhere in the world. The solution to piracy cannot simply be a military one. Additionally, the sad fact is that the bulk of U.S. cargo and U.S. citizens travel on ships that are not U.S.- flagged vessels and would not be protected by this amendment. Further, the Navy and Marine Corps do not have a sufficient number of Embarked Security Teams, known as ESTs, which receive specialized training, to protect even the relatively small number of U.S. flagged vessels. Based on operational tempo and dwell times, set by the Chief of Naval Operations, it's clear that expanding the deployment of ESTs would negatively impact other existing operational commitments. For this reason and others, the Navy does not support placing ESTs on U.S. flagged vessels for protection from pirates nor does the commander of Fifth Fleet, Vice Admiral Gortney. The Navy has also pointed out that embarking U.S. servicemembers on nonsovereign immune vessels presents legal issues, including possible criminal and civil liability for the servicemembers. Therefore, while I will not oppose this amendment because the underlying purpose is good, I would ask the chairman and the gentleman from Maryland to work with me in conference with the other body to develop a lasting solution that protects United States' interests and does not place an undue burden on the Navy. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, while I will not oppose the amendment offered by the gentleman from Maryland, I claim the time in opposition to express some reservations I have about the amendment.

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

Mr. McKEON. I have no further speakers, so I will continue to reserve the balance of my time.

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

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

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. While I will not oppose the amendment offered by the gentleman from Mississippi contained in this bloc, I claim the time in opposition to express a concern I have about the amendment as drafted. Mr. Taylor's amendment would authorize the Navy to use $35 million from procurement of lightweight torpedoes, known as Mark-46, to convert two commercial ferries for military uses as intratheater lift platforms. These two commercial vessels were built through a Maritime Administration title 11 loan guarantee, which may soon be in default. A separate amendment in the base bill directs the Maritime Administration to consult with the Navy before disposing of these vessels should the Maritime Administration receive title to them through default on the loan. The Navy has stated that they may have an interest in the vessels, but would likely have to make significant improvements to them to render the vessels appropriate for military use. This will require some study and planning on the part of the Navy. Should the Navy determine that these vessels have military utility, I would not object to the Navy leasing and converting these commercial ferries. But I do ask the chairman and the gentleman from Mississippi to work with me in conference with the other body to find an alternate offset for this effort. Although the GAO has indicated that there may be nearly $50 million in excess funds for the lightweight torpedo program, the Navy is currently in negotiations with the supplier to procure at least 38 more torpedo upgrade kits with $23 million of this money. In addition, the Navy is moving to a full and open competition for these upgrade kits starting in fiscal year 2010. A $35 million reduction is more than a third of the fiscal year 2010 request and would substantially limit the Navy's ability to complete this program and continue to buy more upgrade kits. The Navy is using the pressure of this future competition to get the best price possible on these additional upgrade kits this year. These upgrade kits are necessary to improve the capability of these torpedoes against quiet, diesel electric submarines. Therefore, I will support the amendment, but hope we can work together to find a more suitable offset in the conference. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. McKEON

Mr. McKEON. I thank the gentleman for yielding. This amendment would require the Secretary of Defense to report to the Congress on the use of nondisclosure agreements within the DOD. The use of nondisclosure agreements is a new and troubling way of gagging our military and DOD civilians. Congress should be aware of any effort by the Department to restrict information. This amendment is about transparency. Congress cannot sit back and let the Department of Defense stiff-arm us. Congress has a constitutional duty to raise and support armies, provide and maintain a Navy, to make rules for the government, regulation of the land and naval forces. We can't allow the Department of Defense to prevent us from exercising our constitutional duty. I understand the chairman has concerns about the language, but I would urge him to support the amendment and work with us in conference. We have lots of time left to work on this. I think, together, we can strengthen this. I think we're in agreement on concept. We need to know what we need to know to do our duty. With that, I ask support of the amendment.

Mr. McKEON

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding. In the last 2 months, North Korea has followed through on its provocative threat to conduct a nuclear test and launch missiles. Today we hear that Pyongyang is vowing to enlarge its nuclear arsenal and has warned of a ``fire shower of nuclear retaliation.'' These are grave and serious threats. However, at a time when Iran and North Korea have demonstrated the capability and intent to pursue long-range ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons programs, the defense bill endorsed reductions to capabilities that would provide a comprehensive missile defense system to protect the U.S. homeland, our forward-deployed troops and our allies. This amendment is common sense. It is a sound measure that would reverse the administration's $1.2 billion cut to missile defense. It would restore a 35 percent reduction to the Nation's Ground-based Midcourse Defense system, located in Alaska and California, which is signed to protect the U.S. homeland. It would restore investments in vital research and development like the airborne laser program, which is the cusp of demonstrating breakthrough technologies. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment. To do otherwise would be irresponsible.

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, I would like to just embarrass our friend a little bit. Maybe we could ask him to stand where we could all see him. This sounds like a funeral service. This is not a funeral service, it is not a memorial service. We just want to thank you, John, for your work. He is a young man and will be doing a lot more in the service of his country and his State I am sure in the future. With that, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, it is my pleasure to introduce this amendment that honors a good friend of mine, a good friend of the House of Representatives, a good friend of our Armed Forces and the American people, Congressman John McHugh. Mr. Chairman, Representative McHugh has represented New York's 23rd Congressional District in the House of Representatives since 1993--we came here together--and he has done so with honor and integrity. Representative McHugh's district includes Fort Drum, the home of the outstanding 10th Mountain Division, for which he has been a tireless advocate. He is honored and respected by all members of the 10th Mountain Division, past and present. Prior to his service in the House of Representatives, he served for many years in local, State and Federal government. Since coming to the House of Representatives, he has been a champion for the members of the Armed Forces. He is known by his colleagues as a leader on national defense and security issues and a relentless advocate for America's military personnel and their families. While in the House, he has led the effort to increase Army and Marine Corps end-strength levels, increase military personnel pay, reduce the unfair tax on veterans' disability and military retiree pay, or concurrent receipt, and safeguard military retiree benefits for our troops. Mr. Chairman, this work is always important, but it has never been more important than now, while our troops are in combat. Representative McHugh has done outstanding work to support our men and women in uniform and their families. Representative McHugh has served on the House Armed Services Committee since the 103rd Congress. He was appointed as the chairman of the Morale, Welfare and Recreation panel and then as the chairman of the Military Personnel Subcommittee. His leadership of these two subcommittees has advanced the support and recognition of the needs of the members of our armed services and their families to a greater level than ever before. More recently, during the 111th Congress Representative McHugh was appointed ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee. During his time as ranking member, he continued his tireless work to ensure the success of our Armed Forces, our national defense and our security. Mr. Chairman, earlier this month President Obama announced his intention to nominate Representative McHugh to serve as the Secretary of the Army. I can say with confidence that our loss will definitely be the Army's gain. I am absolutely certain that Representative McHugh will serve the Army with the same commitment and dedication that he has provided to our men and women in uniform while he has been on this side of the river. I want to thank him for his leadership on this committee. His passion for and dedication to the members of our Armed Forces will be sorely missed by this body. He is a great friend that we will miss working with here on the Hill, but I am sure we will have future opportunities to work with him in his new capacity. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, it is my pleasure to introduce this amendment.

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, if the gentleman from Missouri requires no further time, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. McKEON. I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Missouri.

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, I continue to reserve, unless the chairman needs more time.

Mr. McKEON. I yield, at this time, 1 minute to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Franks), a member of the committee.

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

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, at this time, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Kirk).

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, I am happy to yield at this time to Mr. Turner, the gentleman from Ohio, subcommittee ranking member, 2 minutes.

Mr. McKEON. I yield the gentlewoman an additional 15 seconds.

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, I yield at this time 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite).