Mac Thornberry

Mr. THORNBERRY

Mr. THORNBERRY. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. THORNBERRY. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. THORNBERRY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise against the motion to instruct. I believe this is the first motion to instruct that the House has voted on so far this year and this Congress, so not all Members may not realize that, as the House and the Senate are about to go to conference committee to work out differences in the House and Senate versions of whatever bill they are focused on, procedurally it is possible to have a motion to instruct conferees, such as the gentleman from Rhode Island has offered. That motion is not binding on the conferees, but it is an attempt to have a vote on an issue that a Member or group of Members think is important or that they can make a point upon. The subject of this motion to instruct is the disposal of excess weapons, as the gentleman from Rhode Island mentioned. I would just say, Mr. Speaker, I know of no evidence that--as the government has over the years disposed of these weapons, there is no evidence that any of them have been improperly used. They must be disposed of fully consistent with the law, and that includes background checks and the rest, and the proceeds support safety programs, which I would suspect that all of us think is a worthwhile endeavor. I would also say, Mr. Speaker, the House has regularly expressed its opinion and its will with amendment votes both on the floor and in committee over the years. We have voted on this program a number of times and it has consistently been the will of the House that this program should continue. As a matter of fact, in this year's bill, we had a vote in committee and the amendment to provide for this program was adopted. So, to me, Mr. Speaker, the most important point to make is this: the bill before us is one that helps this Congress fulfill the first responsibilities of the Federal Government, and that is to defend our citizens. It also provides the support that the men and women who serve our Nation in the military must have if they are to carry out the missions to which they are assigned. That is the purpose of this bill, that is the focus of this bill: to defend the country and to support our troops. That will continue to be the focus as the House and Senate move into conference. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. THORNBERRY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table the bill (H.R. 2810) to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2018 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes, with the Senate amendment thereto, disagree to the Senate amendment, and request a conference with the Senate thereon.

Mr. THORNBERRY. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers other than myself, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. THORNBERRY

Mr. THORNBERRY. Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, October 10, 2017, I was unable to be in Washington and missed Roll Call votes No. 558, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 4514 Williamson Trail in Liberty, Pennsylvania, as the Staff Sergeant Ryan Scott Ostrom Post Office, and No. 559, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 25 New Chardon Street Lobby in Boston, Massachusetts, as the John Fitzgerald Kennedy Post Office. Had I been present, I would have voted Yes on both bills.

Mr. THORNBERRY

Mr. THORNBERRY. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize and thank Mr. Robert Newlen, Deputy Librarian of Congress, for more than 40 years of dedicated service to the Library of Congress. Prior to his current position, Mr. Newlen served in a wide variety of leadership roles within the Congressional Research Service and the Law Library, as well as Chief of Staff. Throughout his distinguished career, Mr. Newlen received various awards and recognitions. I know, however, what he has valued the most is the opportunity to serve and to promote the value of knowledge with Members of Congress, staff, and countless others. The Library of Congress is a great gift to this country and to all who benefit from this treasury of learning. Robert has devoted his career to building up this institution in every way possible. And, at a time when truth sometimes seems elusive, he and his colleagues strive to make accurate information the foundation of what we do. Mr. Newlen will leave this week to pursue other opportunities, but I have no doubt that his spirit of service will go with him. On behalf of all of us who have benefitted directly or indirectly from his work, I offer my sincere gratitude.

Mr. THORNBERRY

Mr. THORNBERRY. Mr. Speaker, I support providing immediate emergency assistance for those affected by recent natural disasters and was glad to vote for such a bill earlier this week. I believe that raising the debt limit for only three months is a mistake because it does not provide the certainty that financial markets and our economy need. But most concerning to me, and the reason I am voting against this bill, is that it forces our military to operate under a stopgap continuing resolution--once again. Continuing resolutions do enormous, lasting damage to the American military. We are witnessing an alarming increase in accidents, growing evidence of a force under stress, and an eroding technological position when compared with our adversaries. Not only does this bill fail to remedy those problems, it makes them worse. This bill, like other CRs, allows no new starts--the Pentagon must spend the same money on the same things as last year. But the world is not standing still. In fact, the threats from North Korea and others grow every day. Yet, this CR prevents us from responding. The Constitution places on Congress the responsibility to ``raise and support'', ``provide and maintain'' the military forces of the United States. It is morally wrong for our nation to send brave men and women out on mission--even routine training or operations--without the very best equipment, the very best training, the very best support our country can provide. The dysfunction in the budget process has meant that we have not provided them with the best and that we have not been meeting our responsibilities. This bill is more of the same. There is plenty of blame to go around between both parties and both the Executive and Legislative branches of government. But this negligence must stop. We must fulfill our duty. We must do better.

Mr. THORNBERRY

Mr. THORNBERRY. Mr. Speaker, I ask that the following exchange of letters be included in the Record on H.R. 2810: House of Representatives, Committee on House Administration, Washington, DC, June 29, 2017. Hon. William M. ``Mac'' Thornberry, Chairman, Committee on Armed Services, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Thornberry: I am writing to you concerning the bill H.R. 2810, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016. There are certain provisions in the legislation which fall within the Rule X jurisdiction of the Committee on House Administration. In the interest of permitting your committee to proceed expeditiously to floor consideration of this important bill, I am willing to waive this committee's right to sequential referral. I do so with the understanding that by waiving consideration of the bill the Committee on House Administration does not waive any future jurisdictional claim over the subject matters contained in the bill which fall within its Rule X jurisdiction. I request that you urge the Speaker to name members of this committee to any conference committee which is named to consider such provisions. Please place this letter into the committee report on H.R. 2810 and into the Congressional Record during consideration of the measure on the House floor. Thank you for the cooperative spirit in which you have worked regarding this matter and others between our respective committees. Sincerely, Gregg Harper, Chairman, Committee on House Administration.

Mr. THORNBERRY

Mr. THORNBERRY. Mr. Speaker, I ask that the following exchange of letters be included in the Record on H.R. 2810: House of Representatives, Committee on Education and the Workforce, Washington, DC, July 5, 2017. Hon. William M. ``Mac'' Thornberry, Chairman, Committee on Armed Services, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Chairman: I am writing to confirm our mutual understanding with respect to H.R. 2810, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018. Thank you for consulting with the Committee on Education and the Workforce with regard to H.R. 2810 on those matters within the Committee's jurisdiction. In the interest of expediting the House's consideration of H.R. 2810, the Committee on Education and the Workforce will forgo further consideration of this bill. However, I do so only with the understanding this procedural route will not be construed to prejudice my committee's jurisdictional interest and prerogatives on this bill or any other similar legislation and will not be considered as precedent for consideration of matters of jurisdictional interest to my committee in the future. I respectfully request your support for the appointment of outside conferees from the Committee on Education and the Workforce should this bill or a similar bill be considered in a conference with the Senate. I also request you include our exchange of letters on this matter in the Committee Report on H.R. 2810 and in the Congressional Record during consideration of this bill on the House Floor. Thank you for your attention to these matters. Sincerely, Virginia Foxx, Chairwoman.

Mr. THORNBERRY

Mr. THORNBERRY. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe).

Mr. THORNBERRY. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Jenkins).

Mr. THORNBERRY. Mr. Chairman, I inform my friend from Washington I have no speakers on this en bloc package, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. THORNBERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the motion to recommit.

Mr. THORNBERRY. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Wilson).

Mr. THORNBERRY. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Rohrabacher).

Mr. THORNBERRY. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Jody B. Hice).

Mr. THORNBERRY. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Lamborn).

Mr. THORNBERRY. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Pittenger).

Mr. THORNBERRY. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Roskam).

Mr. THORNBERRY. Mr. Chairman, neither do I have other speakers on this en bloc package, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. THORNBERRY. Mr. Chairman, pursuant to House Resolution 440, I offer amendments en bloc.

Mr. THORNBERRY. Mr. Chairman, I urge support, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. THORNBERRY. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. THORNBERRY

Mr. THORNBERRY. Mr. Chair, I ask that the following exchange of letters be included in the Record on H.R. 2810: House of Representatives, Committee on the Judiciary, Washington, DC, June 30, 2017. Hon. William M. ``Mac'' Thornberry, Chairman, Committee on Armed Services, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Thornberry: I write to confirm our mutual understanding regarding H.R. 2810, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018. This legislation contains subject matter within the jurisdiction of the Committee on the Judiciary. However, in order to expedite floor consideration of this important legislation, the committee waives consideration of the bill. The Judiciary Committee takes this action only with the understanding that the committee's jurisdictional interests over this and similar legislation are in no way diminished or altered. The Committee also reserves the right to seek appointment to any House-Senate conference on this legislation and requests your support if such a request is made. Finally, I would appreciate your including this letter in your committee report on this bill and in the Congressional Record during consideration of H.R. 2810 on the House Floor. Thank you for your attention to these matters. Sincerely, Bob Goodlatte, Chairman.