Mike Rogers

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution 8, the yeas and nays are ordered. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this question are postponed. Amendment No. 31 Offered by Mr. Schneider

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, this amendment is a misuse of funds and resources on behalf of the DOD. As my colleague from California just referenced, this bill already includes funding increases for a myriad of civilian harm programs. There is already $5 million for the Center of Excellence in Civilian Harm Mitigation and $4 million for the Commission on Civilian Harm. This amendment diverts critical dollars needed to ensure the readiness of our servicemembers to fulfill unnecessary paperwork requirements. Worst of all, it creates additional bureaucrats throughout the DOD whose job it is to second-guess the judgment of our military commanders. Mr. Speaker, I urge Members to oppose the amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I would urge opposition to this. This amendment represents an unnecessary waste of taxpayer money and undermines the judgment of our military commanders. I urge a ``no'' vote, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, this amendment would arbitrarily strip $100 billion out of this bill. That is 12 percent of total defense spending it would cut. This amendment would have catastrophic effects on training and readiness. It will endanger the safety of our servicemembers by delaying critical safety upgrades on the ships, aircraft, combat vehicles, and facilities where they serve. It will set back the cleanup and environmental remediation at PFAS and other contaminated sites and put off construction of new military housing, schools, and childcare facilities. It will further postpone critical modernization efforts needed to deter China and other adversaries. The list goes on and on. Mr. Speaker, I urge Members to oppose the amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Kelly), the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Intelligence and Special Operations.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wittman), the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, so at this time, I would just urge adoption of this en bloc package and yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this amendment.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Banks), the ranking member of the Cyber, Innovative Technologies, and Information Systems Subcommittee.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Waltz), the ranking member of the Readiness Subcommittee.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, in closing, this amendment guts the bill. It harms our servicemembers and their families. It severely weakens our ability to defend ourselves and our allies. Given Putin's atrocities in Ukraine and the increasing threats we face in China, Iran, North Korea, and other adversaries, this is the worst time to start slashing defense spending. Mr. Speaker, I urge Members to oppose the amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Jackson), one of our outstanding freshman members of the committee.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Carl), another of our outstanding freshman members.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Lamborn), the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this legislation.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Gallagher), the ranking member of the Military Personnel Subcommittee.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this amendment.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Maine (Mr. Golden).

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Allen).

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, again, I oppose this amendment and urge a ``no'' vote, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 90th birthday of Jo Anne Corbitt Laney. Jo Anne was born on January 25, 1932. She was married to James Ellison Laney and blessed with two children, three grandchildren, and four great grandchildren. Jo Anne lives in Phenix City, Alabama, and is active member of Crawford United Methodist Church. She also serves as a member of the United Women of Faith. She worked at Kirven's of Columbus, Georgia, and helped run Laney's Dairy. The Laneys also owned a tire store named Laneys Tire and Battery. Jo Anne was the first Russell County Alabama Farmers Federation Women's Leadership Committee Chair, has held various roles in Women's Leadership Committee, a former member of the Crawford Maintenance Club, and a founding member of the Crawford Volunteer Fire Department. Madam Speaker, please join me in recognizing the 90th birthday of Jo Anne Corbitt Laney.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize J.D. Hess. J.D. was first elected in 1990 and has served as Calhoun County District 4 Commissioner for 28 years--the longest serving commissioner in Calhoun County history. His service was from 1990 through 1998 and 2002 through 2022. The district includes Blue Mountain, Saks, Weaver, Alexandria, Pleasant Valley, Cedar Springs, Wellington, and Webster's Chapel. J.D. is a lifelong resident of Calhoun County. Before his time as Commissioner, he served in the United States Army Reserve and as a fireman. He also owned a small business. Some of J.D.'s accomplishments in office include the Tag and License Branch Office, Ronnie Carr Park, the Camp McClellan Horse Trails, the reopening of Woodland Park in Lenlock, and the AgCenter's development. He also had a hand in starting community centers across his district including in Saks, Alexandria, Webster's Chapel and Weaver as well as numerous road and bridge projects. J.D. is a founding board member of the Calhoun County Sports Hall of Fame. He has supported numerous youth and school programs and projects throughout the county. He is a supporter of Jacksonville State University and a past Gamecock Club President. J.D. has been involved in various community and civic organizations and is an active member of First Baptist Church of Saks. J.D. plans to spend time with his wife, Debbie, family, and his grandchildren. Madam Speaker, please join me in recognizing my friend, J.D. Hess, and his tireless service for the folks across Calhoun County.