Dhs Cyber Incident Response Teams Act of 2019

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.

Madam Speaker, the ranking member of the Appropriations Committee has done a tremendous job navigating all these bills through a very difficult negotiation in such a short timeframe. Her steady leadership, experience, and focus completing this difficult task was critical to ensuring an end product that will garner Republican support and that the President will sign. I also want to thank Chairwoman Lowey for keeping the process on track during the very difficult political times that we are in.

I would also like to extend my sincere thanks to my chairman, Mr. Visclosky, from the great State of Indiana. Mr. Visclosky has been a tremendous partner to me and our side of the aisle throughout this whole process maintaining the bipartisan nature of the Defense Subcommittee. He has been very gracious and accommodating, and I thank him sincerely. I look forward to continuing to work in a collaborative manner during the coming year.

The bill includes $693 billion for the Department of Defense, including $624 billion in base funds, $70.7 million for Overseas Contingency Operations, and $1.8 billion in disaster assistance. In total, this bill is nearly $19 billion more than the fiscal year 2019 level.

After thoughtful negotiations between the House and the Senate, we have a good, balanced bill that we look forward to passing in both Chambers and getting to the President for his signature.

Our number one priority is to provide for the Nation's defense. The world remains a dangerous place. We have got troops in combat against ISIS, al-Qaida, and associated forces. Authoritarian competitors-- especially China and Russia--are seeking regional dominance and trying to upend the post-World War II international order. North Korea continues to modernize its nuclear weapons capability and means of delivery. A hostile Iran remains a threat to Israel and other U.S. partners, as well as our forces in the Middle East. Instability to our south has produced conditions that bring people, which tragically includes unaccompanied children, into our Nation illegally.

For all these reasons, we must get this bill done.

As we all know, operating under continuing resolutions actually costs more money and results in delayed capabilities. The department needs stable, predictable, and timely funding to ensure it is prepared to meet the threats we face now and in the feature.

The funding in this bill recognizes threats of U.S. interests throughout the world while continuing modernization efforts to maintain the peace and deter our near-peer adversaries.

It also supports the men and women in the military by addressing quality-of-life issues that Chairman Visclosky has championed by including additional funds to address childcare and medical care. Of course, we fund the 3.1 percent pay raise and provide additional funding for medical research. The bill increases funding for operations and maintenance to sustain and improve readiness levels. Funding is provided for robust procurement of next generation equipment to ensure our men and women in uniform always have the tactical advantage. We also increase funding for research and development to ensure we can meet and preferably deter near-peer threats.

Madam Speaker, I encourage everyone to vote for this bill. It is a strong bill and ensures that our military has the resources it needs.

I want to thank the staff on both sides for all their hard work.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source