C. Young

Mr. YOUNG of Florida

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Madam Chairman, the Fisher Houses program is a real success story. It was initially started by Mr. Zach Fisher. After his death, the family continued. The need was so great at the military hospitals; but also at the VA hospitals, there were no Fisher Houses. So the program was expanded, and we increased our involvement. The Congress had not been involved up to this point. The Congress appropriated money, and we've been appropriating $4 million a year to add to the Fisher House Foundation for the purpose of the Fisher Houses. We also allow for $11 million for transfers to the Fisher House operations. I say, again, it's a real success story; and while it's additional money, we're happy to support the gentleman's amendment and make sure that the Fisher Houses continue.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. I yield to the gentleman from Indiana.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Reclaiming my time, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Madam Chairwoman, I would like a clarification on the time issues. Since the time is structured, is it possible for the person offering the amendment to reserve that time when they have completed their statement?

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Madam Chair, I claim the time.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Madam Chairman, very simply, most of this money would be taken from the Special Operations Command funding. It's not a good idea. We're using the Special Operators more and more, all the time. We are finding them involved in places where you might be surprised, and I just don't think it is wise for us to be taking this funding from Special Operations. Special Operations are the Navy SEALs and the Special teams that go into difficult places. We prefer not to put limitations that this amendment would cause.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. I yield to Mr. Visclosky.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. I thank the gentleman for his comment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Madam Chair, I claim the time.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Madam Chairman, although we're going to support this amendment from my colleague from Florida, I take this time to point out that we've already included an additional $20 million for the program, the same amount that was included in fiscal year 2013. Prior to 2013, the subcommittee typically included $8 million to $10 million annually for this program. But this bill, this year for 2014, has an additional $20 million, but it is a serious issue, and it is one that we can't take lightly, and so we do support the gentleman's amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Madam Chair, I claim the time.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Madam Chair, actually, this amendment moves money around within the Defense health program for something the committee has worked a long and hard time over the years dealing with: the subject of traumatic brain injury and psychological health research. In fact, we included an additional $125 million in the bill above the President's request because of the importance of the issue that we're facing. We are seeing more and more cases of TBI, traumatic brain injuries, than we had expected, I believe. So we added the additional money that the gentleman's amendment would move around in the DHP, so we have absolutely no problem with this amendment.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. I am happy to yield to the gentleman from Indiana.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Madam Chairman, pursuant to House Resolution 312, I offer amendments en bloc.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Madam Chairman, the en bloc amendment has been agreed to by the minority and the majority. They are noncontroversial amendments that cover topics such as suicide prevention, traumatic brain injury, and National Guard issues. The sponsors of the amendments have agreed to the amendments being considered en bloc, and I would ask for the adoption of this amendment. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Madam Chair, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Madam Chairman, as much as I want to support my friend's amendment, I can't, so I claim the time in opposition.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Madam Chairman, the money that he would use for a large part comes from the Special Operations Command, and I just don't think that we can restrict them, like some of the amendments that we're seeing, in their ability to move about the world as they have to move about the world and do the exciting things that they do. But the gentleman's amendment adds $22 million to the $32 million that we already included for this program. Now, that is a 63 percent spike in funding for fiscal year 2014. That makes it very difficult for the program managers or anybody involved with the program. To assume a 63 percent increase means there may be a lot of new jobs this year, but then the next year they'd all be fired and laid off because the money is not there. This is not a consistent program, except for the $32 million that we have included in this bill. And so as much as I would like to support his bill, his amendment, I really can't. I just don't think the program managers can handle a 63 percent increase in this or, frankly, any program. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Madam Chairman, I claim the time in opposition.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. I'm not exactly sure how this is targeted or how it would support the $125 million increase already in this bill. PTSD is a serious issue. It's becoming more serious as time goes on and as our men and women return from the battlefield. And so we understand the importance of the program. We did increase it by $125 million. This amendment, I think, is positive, and I'm not going to oppose it. I yield to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Visclosky).

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Madam Chairman, PTSD is going to be with us for a long time because there are men and women returning from the battlefield who believe they don't have PTSD or don't want to admit to the fact that they have it. I can certainly understand why they do not want that on their record. But, nevertheless, it is going to show up; and when it shows up, we need to be prepared to care for those who have fought this battle. And so I support the gentlelady's amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Madam Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment.