Conference Report on H.R. National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019

Floor Speech

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Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act due to its importance to our national security. However, I do have significant concern over a last minute change to the bill that stripped funding for an important recapitalization program for the Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (JSTARS).

When the House passed this legislation, in a very bi-partisan manner, it included $623 million to continue the JSTARS Recapitalization program. This program was aimed to continue a vital combat capability for our ground forces as a battle management command and control asset. However, during the conference these funds were eliminated from the bill.

Although this legislation provides for significant improvement to our national security, including pay raises for servicemembers, modernization efforts for equipment, cybersecurity enhancements, and many benefits for our military families, amongst other notable improvements, the absence of this capability is worrisome.

The 116th Air Control Wing based at Robins Air Force Base, the ``Eyes of the Night,'' executes the JSTARs mission, and has been doing so continuously since 9/11. Our combatant commanders rely heavily on JSTARS, and for nearly 20 years, this capability has been consistently utilized in support of our ground forces.

Although I am pleased with the recent announcement that the Air Force will be making Robins Air Force Base the home for the Advanced Battle- Management System (ABMS), this capability is years off. Stripping funding for recapitalization will put current combat control capabilities at risk, potentially for over a decade. JSTARS is of significant importance to our ground forces and this decision will have significant repercussions.

To reiterate, this bill does ensure we are completing our Constitutional responsibility to ``Raise an Army.'' However, I will continue to act with my oversight capabilities to ensure JSTARS remains available to our combat soldiers until the Air Force employs a solution that can be employed for our servicemembers whom desperately need this capability.

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