Mike Rogers

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the FY14 National Defense Authorization Act, and H.R. 3304, the underlying bill that would waive the time limit for the President to consider awarding the Medal of Honor to a handful of American heroes, including Mr. Bennie Adkins of Opelika, Alabama, along with several other deserving veterans. While this honor has long been delayed, we thank them by this action today. I would also like to thank the hardworking men and women at the Anniston Army Depot and all they do for our men and women in uniform. This bill will help provide them and all of the installations in the Third District with the certainty they need in the coming years. As chairman of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee, I will highlight some of the important oversight the FY14 NDAA includes. First, this bill fully funds the B-61 Life Extension program. The bipartisan and bicameral Armed Services Committees agree this program is vital to our national security, our strategic deterrent, and the extended deterrence we provide to our allies in Europe and Asia. I would also note the agreement makes clear that the Congress will not provide one penny to implement the New START Treaty reductions unless the administration first comes up here and tells us what it plans to do and gives us a chance to say whether or not we agree. Secondly, this bill provides a $358 million increase above the President's budget for our missile defenses, including our cooperation with Israel. This bill also includes important national security space provisions. It ensures the U.S. is not relying on space capabilities of the People's Republic of China, and it promotes more cost-effective procurement of commercial satellite services. Mr. Speaker, we would not be here today without the leadership of Chairman Buck McKeon. I want to thank him for his leadership and all that he does for our men and women in service. I also want to thank my friend and ranking member, Jim Cooper of Tennessee, for his dedication and professionalism this year. With another year, we may even see eye to eye on SEC football; but I doubt it. I ask my colleagues to vote ``yes.'' Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in support of the FY14 National Defense Authorization Act, and H.R. 3304, the underlying bill that would waive the time limit for the president to consider awarding the Medal of Honor to a handful of American heroes including Mr. Bennie Adkins of Opelika, AL along with several other deserving veterans. While this honor has been delayed we thank them for their service today. I would also like to thank the hard working men and women at the Anniston Army Depot and all that they do for our men and women in uniform. This bill will help provide them the certainty needed in the coming years. As my colleagues before me have made clear, this bill is a vital piece of legislation for the men and women of our military. General Dempsey warned the Congressional Leadership this past Monday of the consequences for national security if the Senate were to choose not to take up this legislation. As the Chairman of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee, I would like to highlight the important things this bill does in the areas of missile defense, nuclear weapons, and national security space. First, this bill fully funds the B61 Life Extension Program (LEP) at NNSA and the associated tail-kit funding at the Air Force. The bipartisan and bicameral armed services committees agree with the Administration: the B61 LEP is absolutely vital to our national security, our strategic deterrent, and the extended deterrence we provide to allies in Europe and in Asia. There is simply no good reason to change course in mid-stream on this LEP, and we would incur great risk if a decision was made to do so. I would also note the agreement makes clear that the Congress will not provide one penny to implement the New START Treaty reductions unless the Administration comes up here first and tells us how it plans to do that and we get a chance to state whether we agree. That is how this process is supposed to work: the President proposes and the Congress disposes. The NDAA includes several provisions to control costs, improve efficiency, and prioritize nuclear modernization programs at the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). The Armed Services Committee has been pursuing much-needed reform at the NNSA for several years, and this bill will continue to advance toward the end goal of an effective and efficient nuclear enterprise. In response to major and repeated security failures at NNSA nuclear facilities, including the shocking incursion by an octogenarian nun at one of the supposedly most secure nuclear sites in the world, the bill contains several measures to improve security at NNSA. These measures include a requirement for the NNSA Administrator to annually certify the security of nuclear weapons, materials, and classified information and the creation of a new Center for Security Technology, Analysis, Response, and Testing. We will continue to watch the security issue very carefully, and ensure that those responsible for past failures are held accountable. This bill takes several important steps to ensure U.S. strategic forces remain a top priority. It ensures the Air Force will maintain the capability to deploy multiple nuclear warheads on intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM), should technical problems or deteriorating international relations require doing so, and restricts efforts to unnecessarily or arbitrarily reduce U.S. ICBM forces. The bill also requires that the long-range standoff cruise missile currently under development has both nuclear and conventional variants; the bill provides the Air Force the flexibility to develop these variants in a cost-effective manner. I also highlight Section 266 of the bill, which expresses a strong Sense of Congress that the OHIO-class replacement ballistic missile submarine program, in particular the common missile compartment of this program, must remain on track so that it delivers on-schedule to support our British allies. Britain and the United States have been partners in sea-based strategic deterrence for decades, and we must fulfill our commitment to this essential ally. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to ensure there is no confusion with respect to Section 3112 of this bill. This provision would create a Cost Estimating and Program Evaluation office within the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). This office is intended to bring some rigor to an agency that has regularly seen major nuclear facility construction projects hit with major cost increases. My hope is that the office will lead to more accurate and timely cost estimates, and thereby help restore credibility to the NNSA. Importantly, the purview of this office is not intended to cover the Naval Reactors program within NNSA. Naval Reactors has a long history of program management excellence, and this new office is not meant to interfere with this success. I have spoken to Chairman Mark Udall of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces and he and I agree that this provision should have no impact at all on the function of the Naval Reactors office. I will be working with Senator Udall and the NNSA to ensure there is no uncertainty about section 3112. We both agree that if there is any such uncertainty, it will be clarified in the FY15 National Defense Authorization Act. I also note Section 3117 of the bill would authorize the NNSA to carry out a ``modular'' approach to replacing critical plutonium capabilities at the Los Alamos National Laboratory. The replacement of these capabilities is at the core of President Obama's commitment to build a responsive nuclear infrastructure. Further delay is unacceptable. The Department of Defense has reviewed the modular approach, and the Nuclear Weapons Council has endorsed it. The NNSA must begin executing this strategy immediately, and the Nuclear Weapons Council must ensure NNSA puts behind the effort the resources needed. I understand a reprogramming proposal related to the plutonium strategy is still pending, and I will work with Chairman McKeon to continue to leverage this reprogramming to ensure NNSA begins executing this program immediately. Second, this bill provides a $358 million increase above the President's budget for our missile defenses. These funds are essential to reverse the damage done to our missile defenses under this Administration. We have included authorization for a new homeland missile defense sensor and a new kill vehicle, as well as $20 million to continue the planning we started last year for the East Coast missile defense site. Additionally, this bill includes funding for missile defense cooperation with our allies, including $188 million on top of the President's budget request for Iron Dome, David's Sling, and Arrow missile defenses. These increases are a reflection of the commitment of this nation to the security of our ally Israel. And, it draws a line in the sand when it comes to allies entering into missile defense deals with China or in terms of the Obama Administration's efforts to induce Russia to join a missile defense deal. The bill also includes important national security space provisions, such as a provision I authored to ensure the United States is not relying on space capabilities of the People's Republic of China; a provision to ensure the State Department is unable to proceed with an agreement to locate Russian satellite ground stations in the United States; and it promotes more cost-effective procurement of commercial satellite services. This bill provides the continued support and advancement of critical national security space programs. Our military forces have come to depend on space capabilities, such as missile warning, communications, and GPS. Potential adversaries have taken note of strategic reliance on these systems, and they are developing a range of weapons to destroy and disable our satellites. In response to these threats, the bill requires that an independent panel be established to review the U.S. space security and defense efforts, and provide recommended paths forward. The bill also requires improved information sharing within the United States government concerning any intentional adversary counter-space actions against U.S. national security space systems. Additionally, Section 220 and Section 915 provide support for the Operationally Responsive Space program, including responsive launch activities, to ensure that the Department is developing capabilities and means to respond to urgent warfighter space needs. The Department's acquisition of commercial satellite services is in need of reform. Over one billion dollars a year are spent on these services, and the Department currently procures them in the most inefficient manner possible, through one-year leases. This year's NDAA directs the DoD to develop a strategy to enable multi-year procurement approaches and encourages the pursuit of a variety of methods to reduce cost and meet military requirements. And our space capabilities would not be possible without an effective space launch program. As the Air Force's Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle program moves into the next phase, which is planned to be competitive, we will maintain close oversight to ensure the taxpayer's and warfighter's interests are protected. We can accept nothing less than the highest mission reliability when it comes to critical, multi-billion dollar national security space payloads. Mr. Speaker, we would not be here today without the leadership of Chairman Buck McKeon. I would like to thank him for his leadership and all that he does for the men and women of this country's armed services. I would also like to thank my Ranking Member, Jim Cooper of Tennessee, for his dedication and professionalism this year. While we may not see eye-to-eye on SEC football, he has been a pleasure to work with and I look forward to working with him to build on our successes this year in next year's bill.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, today we ask for the House's attention to honor Circuit Court Judge George R. Greene, who is retiring from his position as the Circuit Court Judge in Russell County. In 1975, Judge Greene began serving in the Russell County District Attorney's office as the Assistant District Attorney. He served in the position for four years until 1979, when he was appointed District Judge in Russell County. Judge Greene served as District Judge for over 18 years, and he was elected to this position in three different elections. In 1998, Judge Greene was elected to serve Russell County as the Circuit Court Judge. He has held the office of Circuit Court Judge since that election. Judge George R. Greene is one of the longest serving judges in the state of Alabama, having served 31 years in the Judicial 26th Circuit. He is also dedicated to his community, and he is known for his selfless public service. He is involved in numerous civic and state public service organizations. One of his initiatives was the establishment of the Cora Reid Greene Home for Children, which provides protection and housing for abused children in the Russell County Area. Mr. Speaker, please join me in thanking Judge Greene for his tireless pursuit of justice in Russell County. Join me also in wishing him the best in his retirement.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, America is over 6 weeks into the ObamaCare rollout, and things are just a mess. Folks are still having problems signing up. But even more painful are the letters people are receiving, canceling their health insurance plans. Families and individuals are being forced into different and, oftentimes, more expensive plans. Recently, I asked folks to let me know how their premiums were being affected. One person contacted me that their premiums went up $200 a month. Another family contacted me that their policy was canceled, and their premium is going up $740 per month. The President promised, from the beginning, if you like your health care plan, you will be able to keep your health care plan, period. But that has turned out not to be the case, and he knew it all along. ObamaCare has many flaws, but forcing people off their plans when they were promised they could keep them is really starting to hit home now. That is why I strongly support H.R. 3350, the Keep Your Health Plan Act. The legislation would allow health care plans on the individual market to remain available so people could have the option to keep their current health insurance if they want to. I still believe the best path forward is to get rid of ObamaCare, but for now, we should support this bill to help hardworking Americans keep their health insurance.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, today Mrs. Roby and I ask for the House's attention to honor the 908th Airlift Wing, an Air Force Reserve Command wing located at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama. What is now known as the 908th Airlift Wing began as the 908th Troop Carrier Group at Bates Field, Mobile, Alabama on February 11, 1963. Six years later, the 908th moved to Maxwell Air Force Base, where it remains today. The mission of the 908th Airlift Wing is to recruit, organize and train Air Force reservists to provide unrivaled theater airlift and flexible combat support across the spectrum of military operations. During its 50 years, the 908th has followed its mission with a dedication to excellence. Its members have served in operations and humanitarian relief efforts at home and abroad. The 908th has an impeccable safety record with over 150,000 hours logged over 47 years without a Class A or B mishap. Since 2003 the men and women of the 908th have logged over 10,500 combat flight hours in overseas missions. During their 50 years, the 908th has been awarded some of the US Air Force's highest honors. The men and women of the 908th are seven time winners of the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award. They finished FY 2013 with a 90.4 percent aircraft mission capable rate, among the highest ever recorded for a C-130 unit. They were also named the 2012 Small Command Post of the Year for two commands, AFRC and AETC. Their 2012 virtual inspection was the best the Inspector General had seen to date. In 2012, they had 78 Programs rated excellent and 8 Superior performers, which was more than any other wing. The 908th will celebrate its 50th anniversary on December 7th with a celebration in Montgomery. The 908th has been widely recognized as an elite unit, one in which its members consider it a privilege to serve. It is an honor to join the state of Alabama in congratulating the 908th Airlift Wing on 50 years of excellence.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, today, Mr. Cooper and I ask for the House's attention to honor General C. Robert ``Bob'' Kehler, Commander of U.S. Strategic Command, on his imminent retirement from the United States Air Force. General Kehler has been an exemplary officer and an outstanding leader. Over the course of his 38 year career in the Air Force, he has made countless sacrifices for our country. We wish to commend his service; the sacrifices of his family, including his wife Marjorie and their two sons; and to express our great appreciation for his leadership and devotion to our nation's security. It would not be possible for us to do justice to the many and various accomplishments of General Kehler's distinguished 38 year career in the Air Force, but please allow us to highlight a few. General Kehler's selection as Commander of U.S. Strategic Command was apt--he started his career as a young nuclear missile officer in 1975. Rising quickly through the Air Force, he went on to command space and missile units at Whiteman, Malmstrom, Vandenberg and Peterson Air Force Bases. His positive leadership has directly influenced countless men and women in our Armed Forces, and the positive effects of his service to our country will be felt for generations to come. General Kehler has been a vigilant champion of our nation's nuclear deterrent. As Commander of U.S. Strategic Command, he's spent nearly three years ensuring our nation's nuclear forces remain strong and ready--not counting his earlier tour as Deputy Commander of Strategic Command. His efforts were instrumental in our nation's Nuclear Posture Review, and he has worked closely with Congress to ensure that our military has been able to accomplish the essential missions of Strategic Command, including nuclear deterrence. Through his leadership at Strategic Command, General Kehler has been an essential defender of our nation's critical space assets. He has worked closely with the Armed Services Committee, and it has been our great pleasure to work with him. As chairman and ranking member of the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, we are grateful for General Kehler's wise counsel and firm resolve to always do what is best for the nation and for the men and women he leads. Mr. Speaker, with nearly four decades of exemplary service to our nation, General C. Robert ``Bob'' Kehler deserves our most heartfelt gratitude and praise. He has been a credit to the military and we hope he will continue to find ways to serve the United States. Thank you, General--and best wishes to you and your family.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I ask for the House's attention today to honor a proud and accomplished organization in my district, the Centre Lions Club. This year, the organization has celebrated their 75th Anniversary of serving Cherokee County. The Centre Lions Club was chartered on February 20, 1938. It is the fourth oldest club in Lions District 34-A, which is composed of 50 clubs throughout North Alabama. For 75 years, members of the Centre Lions Club have dedicated their time and effort to serving the community, county and state. The club holds a luncheon meeting twice a month. During these meetings, there are educational programs and project planning. Their goals and projects closely align with International Lionism. One of the club's main objectives is to provide eye examinations and eyeglasses for almost 100 needy students and adults each year. To do this, the Centre Lions Club cooperates with local and area optometrists. Club members also contribute funds for services by and equipment for the Alabama Lions Sight Conservation Association. Other projects include a Radio Day, Christmas Child adoptions, the John L. Ellis Sr. Youth Leadership Forum, college scholarship funds, Pancake Days, Leo Club sponsorships at local high schools, Food Pantry donations, assistance to domestic violence prevention programs, disaster relief projects, dementia patients' programs and numerous more charitable activities. Mr. Speaker, please join me and the rest of East Alabama in thanking the Centre Lions Club for 75 years of outstanding service in the community. We wish them many, many more.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I ask for the House's attention today to honor Mr. J. Holland Powell, Sr. Mr. Powell was born March 10, 1932, in Birmingham, Alabama. He's the youngest child of Bolling and Marie Powell. Mr. Powell grew up in Birmingham, and after his graduation from Ramsey High School, he enlisted in the United States Navy. He served four years in active duty during the Korean War, and upon distinction and honorable discharge, Mr. Powell attended the University of Alabama. There he received a degree in Accounting in 1956. While at the University of Alabama, Mr. Powell was a member of the Psi Chapter of Delta Kappa Epsilon Fraternity. Mr. Powell married Claire Malone Powell on September 7, 1956, who preceded him in death on April 22, 2013. Together they had two children James Holland Powell, Jr. (Carolyn) of Selma, Alabama and Alice Claire (Carl Thigpen) of Mountain Brook, Alabama. He has six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Mr. Powell was a longtime senior executive of Liberty National Life Insurance Company. He earned many regional awards and participated in leadership roles for national and international insurance organizations. Mr. Powell undertook a successful second career post- retirement in partnership with his wife Claire through Powell Realty. Mr. Powell's accomplishments include being a founder of the Mountain Brook Swim and Tennis Club, a graduate of Leadership Alabama, an active member of the Pell City Rotary Club, an active member of the Pell City Library Guild and an active member of the Mays Bend Homeowners Association. Mr. Speaker, please join me and Mr. Powell's family in remembering and celebrating his life and achievements.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask for the House's attention today to recognize Forrest Stanley Jenkins who celebrated his 90th birthday on Sunday, August 25th, 2013. Mr. Jenkins was born on August 25th, 1923 to John Veitch Jenkins and Velma Elizabeth Miller. He graduated from Sidney Lanier High School in Montgomery before beginning active duty in the United States Air Force in 1943. That year he married Ethel ``Jinx'' Barry Jenkins. Mr. Jenkins served on B-17s, B-24s and C-47s. He completed a number of overseas assignments before retiring from the Air Force in 1967. On August 24th and 25th, Stan joined friends and family in Rosemary Beach, Florida, to celebrate 90 years of dedication to his family and his country. His children, Stan, Jill and Jennifer, their spouses, grandchildren and great grandchildren celebrated a life of what is rightly called our greatest generation. Mr. Speaker, we join his family and friends in celebrating Stan's birthday and wishing him many more.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3304. This bill would waive the time limit for the President to consider awarding the Medal of Honor to a handful of American heroes. The battlefield actions of these brave Americans have undergone a thorough review by the Department of Defense and have been determined to merit consideration for our Nation's highest honor. Among those heroes who would be considered under this bill is Mr. Bennie Adkins of Opelika, Alabama. In 1966, while serving in Vietnam, then-Sergeant First Class Bennie Adkins was assigned to Special Forces Detachment A-102 at Special Forces Camp A Shau in the Republic of Vietnam. From March 9 to March 12 of that year, he displayed extraordinary bravery during a sustained and well-coordinated attack from a determined, vicious, and highly lethal Viet Cong force. Though recommended at the time by his chain of command for the Medal of Honor, he received, instead, the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions. His citation read: When the camp was attacked by a large Viet Cong force, Sergeant First Class Adkins rushed through intense hostile fire and manned a mortar position. Although he was wounded, he ran through exploding mortar rounds and dragged several of his comrades to safety. When the hostile fire subsided, Sergeant First Class Adkins exposed himself to sporadic sniper fire and carried his wounded comrades to the camp dispensary. During the evacuation of a seriously wounded American, Sergeant First Class Adkins maneuvered outside the camp walls to draw fire and successfully cover the rescue. During the early morning hours of 10 March 1966, a Viet Cong regiment launched its main attack. Within 2 hours, Sergeant First Class Adkins was the only man firing a mortar weapon. Although he was painfully wounded and most of his crew was killed or wounded, he fought off the fanatical waves of attacking Viet Cong. After withdrawing to a communications bunker where several Americans were attempting to fight off a company of Viet Cong, Sergeant First Class Adkins killed numerous insurgents with his suppressive fire. Running extremely low on ammunition, he returned to the mortar pit, gathered the vital ammunition, and ran through intense fire back to the communications bunker. After being ordered to evacuate the camp, all signal equipment and classified documents were destroyed. Sergeant First Class Adkins and a small group of men fought their way out of the camp and evaded the Viet Cong for 2 days until they were rescued by a helicopter. Sergeant First Class Adkins' extraordinary heroism in close combat against a numerically superior hostile force was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army. Mr. Adkins continued his stellar military career until he retired in 1977 at the rank of sergeant major. Mr. Adkins also served a term as the national commander of the Legion of Valor. Following a thorough review of Mr. Adkins' actions in battle by the Department of Defense, Secretary of Defense Hagel recently wrote to Congress that Mr. Adkins' actions merited the Medal of Honor and that, if Congress would waive the time requirement, he would recommend to President Obama that the President should award the Medal of Honor to Mr. Adkins. As such, Mr. Speaker, I would like to submit for the Record a letter from Secretary Hagel. This bill would also allow Mr. Donald Sloat to be considered for the Medal of Honor. On January 17, 1970, while serving in Vietnam, then- Specialist Donald Sloat, a machine gunner with Company D, Second Battalion, First Infantry Regiment, 196th Light Infantry, American Division, was killed while saving the lives of his squad members by drawing an enemy grenade to his body and shielding them from the blast. For his ultimate sacrifice to save his fellow soldiers, the DOD determined that Mr. Sloat's actions merited consideration for the Medal of Honor. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to commend the Department of Defense for completing the review of Jewish and Hispanic American veterans going back to World War II in order to correct an injustice to deserving members of our military who risked their lives for their country but whose actions were overlooked due to their ethnicities and religions. While conducting this review, the Department discovered seven individuals who did not meet the exact criteria of the congressionally mandated review but who, nevertheless, were deserving of the Medal of Honor. This bill would allow them to be recognized with the Nation's highest award for valor. It is important to note that none of these brave Americans asked for this renewed consideration. It was through the advocacy and admiration of loved ones and of those who served with them that led to this effort. For those brave Americans who show such extraordinary heroism in defense of our liberties, it is never too late to say thank you. To Mr. Adkins and Mr. Sloat and to all of the brave Americans like them, I say thank you. I reserve the balance of my time. Pentagon, Washington, DC, June 7, 2013. Hon. Mike Rogers, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Representative Rogers: I am writing in response to your request for award of the Medal of Honor to then-Sergeant First Class (SFC) Bennie G. Adkins under the provisions of section 1130 of title 10, United States Code (U.S.C.), ``Consideration of proposals for decorations not previously submitted in timely fashion: procedures for review.'' I reviewed the proposal for award of the Medal of Honor to then-SFC Bennie G. Adkins for his valorous acts from March 9 to March 12, 1966, during the Vietnam Conflict. After giving the nomination careful consideration, I believe then-SFC Bennie G. Adkins' actions merit award of the Medal of Honor. However, section 3744 of title 10, U.S.C., requires that the Medal of Honor be awarded ``within three years after the date of the act justifying the award.'' Therefore, a statutory time waiver to section 3744 of title 10, U.S.C. is required before the President of the United States may, if he so chooses, award the Medal of Honor to then-SFC Bennie G. Adkins. The final award authority for the Medal of Honor rests solely with the President of the United States. My favorable determination in no way presumes what the President's decision might be. If you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs. A similar letter is being sent to the Chairmen of the Senate and House Committees on Armed Services. Sincerely, Chuck Hagel, Secretary of Defense.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to insert extraneous material into the bill under consideration.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3304) to authorize and request the President to award the Medal of Honor to Bennie G. Adkins and Donald P. Sloat of the United States Army for acts of valor during the Vietnam Conflict and to authorize the award of the Medal of Honor to certain other veterans who were previously recommended for award of the Medal of Honor.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, at this time, I have no further requests to speak, so I am prepared to close with an urging to my colleagues that they vote in favor of this bill. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I ask for the House's attention today to honor a special young lady in my district, Tara Jones, who is serving as Miss Auburn at Auburn University. Miss Jones grew up in Kennesaw, Georgia and was crowned as Miss Auburn in February 2013. She ran her campaign on a platform for clean water for third-world nations and was elected to serve in this position by the student body. Tara also had fun with her campaign by doing the ``Harlem Shake'' to help spread her message. Jones is in her senior year. Mr. Speaker, please join me in celebrating Tara Jones being named Miss Auburn. Her dedication to those less fortunate should be an example to us all, and I am honored today to help pay recognition to it.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I ask for the House's attention today to honor Oscar Mooney, Jr., a distinguished Alabama veteran, on his 90th birthday. Mr. Mooney was born on December 2, 1923 at home in Weogufka, Alabama. In 1943, Mr. Mooney enlisted in the U.S. Army and served as a sergeant in the 16th Armored Division. The 16th Armored Division was instrumental in the liberation of Pilsen, Czechoslovakia. Mr. Mooney has received the WWII Victory Medal, the American Service Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal with one bronze star and the Good Conduct Service Medal. This long list of accomplishments highlights the bravery with which Mr. Mooney has lived his life. On July 21, 1950, Mr. Mooney married Jeannette Rodgers. Together they have two children, Roger Emory Mooney and Emma Elizabeth Mooney Fielding. They also have 4 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. After 18 years of working full-time for the Kimberly Clark Corporation, Mr. Mooney retired to work full-time on their farm, the Mooney Home Place. Mr. Speaker, please join me and Mr. Mooney's family in celebrating 90 years of Mr. Mooney's life, and please join me in thanking him for his outstanding service to our nation.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I ask for the House's attention today to honor Mrs. Mary Ann Knight on her 110th birthday. Mrs. Knight was born October 3rd, 1903 in Camphill, Alabama to Mr. Robert Lee Trimble and Mrs. Emmaline G. Trimble. She was the fourth born of nine children, five girls and four boys. Mrs. Knight has lived in Alabama, Indiana, Tennessee and Florida during her lifetime. Throughout her life, Mary Ann has taught everyone she meets the importance of hard work. She has continued to work around her house and church, the St. James A.M.E. Church in Goodwater, Alabama. On October the 6th, St. James A.M.E. Church Family will be holding a celebration for Mrs. Knight during their church service. They will recognize her dedication to her family, friends, community and church. Mr. Speaker, please join me in celebrating Mrs. Mary Ann Knight's 110th birthday. 110 years is quite a milestone, and I am honored today to help pay recognition to it.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I ask for the House's attention today to honor an extraordinary college preparatory school in my district. The Donoho School, founded in 1963, will celebrate its 50th anniversary this month. The Donoho School was founded in 1963 as a secondary school and was called the Anniston Academy. In 1976, the name was changed to The Donoho School in recognition of Mrs. Harriet Wallis Donoho, a founder of the school. The Lower Division of the school was founded as The Episcopal Day School in 1961 as an independent elementary school. Housed originally in the facilities of the Church of St. Michael and All Angels, the school moved into Grace Episcopal Church in 1967. In 1976, The Episcopal Day School merged with The Donoho School and became the Lower Division. The Donoho School currently enrolls more than 400 students in Pre-K through 12th grade. It is an active member of the Alabama Association of Independent Schools, Alabama High School Athletic Association, College Board, National Association for College Admission Counseling, National Association of Independent Schools, National Association of Secondary School Principals, National Honor Society and Southern Association of Independent Schools. The school will celebrate its 50th anniversary with an awards ceremony on September 16th. Mr. Speaker, please join me in celebrating The Donoho School's achievements and thanking them for their dedication to providing Anniston's children with a quality education.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask for the House's attention today to recognize Lillia Aline Harris who will celebrate her 90th birthday on August 28th. Lillia Aline Harris was born to Chester and Estella Warren on August 28, 1923. She was the firstborn of six children, and had three sisters and two brothers. Mrs. Harris worked on her parents' farm while still attending school. She graduated from Heflin High School in 1942. In May of 1945, Aline married Robert Freeman Harris. Together, Aline and Robert had 3 children, 8 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. Aline has been an active member of Coldwater United Methodist Church for over 60 years. She is a loving mother, grandmother and great- grandmother, and all who know her speak of her kindness. Mr. Speaker, please join Mrs. Harris's family, friends, and myself in wishing Aline a Happy Birthday.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I ask for the House's attention today to pay special tribute to a group of young people in my Congressional district from Montgomery, Alabama. These girls, the Montgomery American Angels All Star Team, will be traveling to Alexandria, Louisiana, this week to play in the Dixie Youth Softball World Series. Although they are ages nine and 10, these girls have shown tremendous maturity and skill both on and off the field. They currently hold the titles of Dixie Youth Softball Angel Division X-Play District Runner- ups and Dixie Youth Softball Angel Division X-Play State Champs. By winning both their Division and State titles, they will now represent the great state of Alabama in the World Series. These 12 girls and their three coaches have become the first Angels team from Montgomery American to ever advance to the World Series. They will be traveling over 500 miles from home in the hopes of winning a World Series Title. Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating this team and wishing them the best of luck as they travel to the Dixie Youth Softball World Series.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. I thank the gentleman, and I, too, rise in opposition to this amendment. Mr. Chairman, according to the Missile Defense Agency estimates provided in 2012, the cost of 20 silo GBI sites, that's including missiles, is approximately $3 billion and could be built over a 5-6 year period of time. This cost is almost half the funding the administration has stripped from MDA in the past 2 years. These funds are critical today. Iran will not slow down its ballistic missile program just because the gentleman wants to cut the funds for our defense. They are testing rocket engines and missiles now. The Department of Defense tells us also that Iran continues to advance its space launch and longer-range ballistic missile capabilities. Iran has used a space-launch vehicle, the Safir-2, to place a satellite in orbit, demonstrating some of the key technologies required for an ICBM to be successfully developed. This was reaffirmed recently by the latest biennial report from NASIC, the leading experts on ballistic missile intelligence. General Jacoby, Commander of the U.S. Northern Command stated: We should consider that Iran has capability in the next few years of flight testing ICBM-capable technologies. And: The Iranians are intent on developing an ICBM. The Missile Defense Agency's own illustrative briefings to the House Armed Services Committee have shown that MDA planned to spend funds-- like those appropriated in Chairman Young's mark--while site selection and EIS processes were underway. These funds absolutely can be spent today. That the administration didn't request them is dispositive of nothing. Chairman Young showed leadership in adding these funds to match those provided by the FY14 NDAA, and I thank him for that support. I urge defeat of the Nadler-Garamendi-Polis amendment.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Chairman, in light of the late hour, I'm going to synopsize my more full statement, if that's okay with everybody. Recently, the House passed the FY14 NDAA, and in that document we included a provision that, before the $75 million that the White House had requested for implementation of the New START Treaty, they have to provide to the Congress the 1042 report, which was due 18 months ago, by law, that outlines how they're going to spend the money. The White House has refused to submit that report to date. We put in the authorization language saying, give us the report and we'll give you the money. I went to Chairman Young and asked him to include this in his appropriations bill. He said he would welcome the amendment. I hope that's still the case tonight, and I urge my colleagues to support my amendment. Mr. Chairman, my amendment is simple and it's similar to one that the House has already approved on a different bill, specifically, the FY14 National Defense Authorization Act. I wish this amendment wasn't necessary, but, the President's actions compel it. Too often, this President acts as if he is above the law. He ignores the law when it comes to his healthcare law, he ignores the enforcement of immigration laws, and he violates the Constitution to bypass the Senate to appoint unqualified or ideological individuals to important government positions. Now he is applying this approach to defense policy. The President's priority appears to be tearing down our nuclear deterrent, which is America's ultimate security guarantee. And he is ignoring Congress and the law in doing so. A clear example is his implementation of the New START treaty with Russia. The President, in his budget request for fiscal year 2014, is asking for a blank check from Congress to implement the treaty with no questions asked. This is not the way our Constitutional government was set up to work. This amendment will force the President to follow the law and hold him accountable if he expects one dime of the American people's money to be appropriated. The House, through the appropriation power, must have a chance to evaluate whether the implementation of a treaty, and the manner in which an Administration intends to implement a treaty, is in the US national security interest. That is the reason the 1042 report was required in the FY12 NDAA in the first place. I remind the House, this report is mandated by law. Are we really comfortable in this House with letting the President ignore the law of the land as he sees fit? Recently, the President announced a major new nuclear weapons policy before a modest crowd of Europeans. He stated he will seek to reduce our deployed nuclear forces by a third--beyond the New START reductions we haven't yet put in place. We need to put the brakes on this rush to zero. This President is proposing dangerous and irreversible changes to our nuclear forces. Congress must ensure we use caution when tinkering with the nation's ultimate insurance policy--our nuclear deterrent. We know the President has been itching to announce further nuclear force cuts. Based on the most recent arms control compliance report, it appears, yet another year is passing while the President will ignore significant Russian cheating--let me say that again, Russia is cheating on a major treaty with the United States--so that he can propose further reductions with Vladimir Putin. And the President appears to have so little confidence in his proposal, he refuses to affirm that his reductions will follow the established precedent--what some call the Biden-Helms standard--of proceeding through a treaty or affirmative Act of Congress. We must be wary; the Appropriations Power was never intended to be a blank check. I thank the gentleman from Florida for his support and I urge the House to pass the Rogers amendment and send a signal to the President that we won't cut him blank checks while he tries to circumvent the Congress. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the gentleman's observations. And while I may not agree with the New START Treaty, I am in no way trying to prohibit it being implemented. It is the law of the land. However, we do have a constitutional obligation in this House to be responsible with taxpayers' dollars. And under the new treaty law that was signed by the President, he had 90 days to provide the Congress a report on how he was going to spend the money to implement it. That's all we're saying in this amendment, is when he gives us the report by law that was due 18 months ago, we'll give him the money, but not until then. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I would like to pay tribute to a very special occasion today--the 65th wedding anniversary of Billy and Laverne Cantrell. This event will take place on July 29th. Billy Cantrell was born to Festus and Mary Lou Cantrell on December 31, 1926, and Laverne Cantrell was born to Oscar and Avis Jeffreys on March 22, 1932. The couple met in Hamilton, Alabama, while attending high school and only dated six weeks before getting married. Steve served in the Merchant Marines and worked for 27 years at 3-M in Qwin, Alabama. Laverne worked in garment factories until her retirement. Together, Billy and Laverne had four children, nine grandchildren, 15 great grand children and three great-great grandchildren. Their favorite songs include ``Tennessee Waltz'' and ``Sentimental Journey''. Please join me in congratulating this lovely couple on 65 years together.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend an outstanding young leader who attends Auburn University, which is a leading research and educational institution in my district in Alabama. Auburn's political science department each year recognizes a student leader who excels in both the classroom and the community. It's my honor to announce that Mr. Elliott Lynn is this year's winner of Auburn's Political Science Leadership Award. A faculty committee selected Elliott after careful consideration of his outstanding credentials. Elliott is from Phenix City, Alabama. He is a senior political science major with an outstanding 3.95 Cumulative Grade Point Average. Elliot is a National Merit Scholar and on the Dean's List. He is a member of many honor societies, including Phi Eta Sigma, Pi Sigma Alpha and Pi Lambda Sigma. Elliott is an Honors College Drummond Scholar and a recipient of the Auburn University Marie Glass Ward Endowed Academic Scholarship. Elliott is active in helping the community, and he participated in multiple service trips to underserved communities in the U.S. and in developing countries. He went to Haiti to build housing for the victims of the 2010 earthquake. He also volunteered as a teaching assistant with the Victory Mission at a church in Columbus, Georgia, and volunteers at the Columbus Habitat. Last summer, Elliott had the opportunity to intern with our colleague in the other chamber, Senator Richard Shelby, and he has also interned with a Circuit Court Judge in Alabama. After graduating from Auburn, Elliott plans to attend law school and work in human rights or public interest law. He hopes his career will allow him the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others. Mr. Speaker, I offer my congratulations to Elliott and thank Auburn University for producing such outstanding students and citizens.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. I urge the House to support the Turner-Rogers- Franks-Bridenstine amendment. The New START treaty is perhaps the first unilateral arms control treaty the U.S. has ratified in that it is the first treaty where only the U.S. has to make reductions in the central limits of the treaty. Every six months new data is released by the Department of State showing that only the U.S. is reducing its deployed nuclear forces to implement this treaty. Last month, in Berlin, the President announced that he was changing the Nuclear Weapons Employment Guidance and Strategy of the United States to support further reductions in United States nuclear forces. Never before has a President done something like this. Yes, Presidents since Truman have updated the nation's nuclear war plan. But there is no precedent for a President to tell the national security team that, regardless of the nuclear weapons modernization programs of China, Russia, Pakistan, North Korea and others, the U.S. should plan to reduce our nuclear forces. Every other President has asked one simple question when conducting a review like this: what level of nuclear forces do I need to ensure that a potential enemy or adversary knows that if he attacks the United States or our allies, we will have the ability to respond with nuclear forces that could result in nothing less than total devastation? It has not been explained to me how fewer nuclear weapons in the U.S. nuclear deterrent is necessarily better for the country's security. When allies see us backing away from our extended deterrent, and potential adversaries see us giving up these capabilities while they are growing them in practically every way--cascades of proliferation cannot be far behind. Already we see that allies are concerned with the President's new approach. For 66 years, since the U.S. used them to end World War II, our deterrent has kept the world safe. This is not a recipe the Congress will let the President arbitrarily change to satisfy a small cloister of arms control and disarmament ideologues. The reason the Turner-Rogers-Franks-Bridenstine amendment is so important is that in this new strategy the President announced, he refuses to commit to following the established precedent of only pursuing nuclear reductions with another nation through a treaty or a congressional-executive agreement that must be enacted by an affirmative act of Congress. Practically every senior military officer who has testified before the House Armed Services Committee on the subject of further nuclear force reductions has been clear they must be ``bilateral and verifiable'' and that the only way to achieve this is through a treaty. Yet, the civilians in the Administration refuse to state that this approach supported by the military is also the President's policy. This amendment is consistent with language I offered, as Chairman of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee that overseas our nation's nuclear forces, which was adopted by the House Armed Services Committee and the House itself, in the recent FY14 National Defense Authorization Act. The President may think he doesn't need Congress when it comes to international agreements with states like Russia. He may think he can ignore gross violations in arms control agreements, like those Russia is engaged in today. But he still needs money to implement his policies. And that's what we can deny him if he attempts to ignore or circumvent the people's elected representatives in Congress. I encourage the support of this amendment and I thank Chairman Frelinghuysen for his support, leadership, and endurance during this long process.