Providing for Further Consideration of H.R. National Defense

Floor Speech

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Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I also urge adoption, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this amendment and urge our colleagues to vote for it.

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Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I, too, urge adoption of this en bloc package, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I respectfully ask the House today to adopt my amendment--the Kyle Mullen Naval Safety Enhancements--that directs the Secretary of Defense to conduct an appraisal of and provide recommended policies for improved medical care and oversight of individuals in the Navy engaged in high-stress training like the Navy SEALS to better ensure sailor safety and prevent related long-term injury, illness, and death.

In February of this year, my constituent Kyle Mullen passed away after completing the rigorous training of `Hell Week' as a Navy SEAL candidate.

The autopsy report cited pneumonia and staph infection as the cause of death.

Kyle was an extraordinary talented and gifted young man--a true leader who selflessly enlisted in the Navy to serve our nation and protect our freedom.

Kyle was a world class athlete and was a basketball standout and Captain of both Manalapan High School and Yale University Football teams.

Kyle's mother--Regina--a nurse told me in a heartbreaking conversation in her home that Kyle's death could have been prevented had her son received timely medical attention.

Regina has many questions that demand answers.

Meanwhile, this grieving mom has made it clear and with great urgency and resolve that Congress and DOD must insist that medical care, aggressive monitoring, and oversight be provided now, without delay, to every Navy SEAL candidate during high-stress training.

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Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Tenney).

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Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I too urge adoption of the en bloc package, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this amendment.

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Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, this amendment would prevent the Department of Defense from receiving reimbursement under the Economy Act for support provided to other Federal agencies in firefighting or disaster response. I support an all-of-Government approach to disaster response, but DOD does not need to be the piggy bank. FEMA has a disaster response fund with billions of dollars to reimburse DOD for their costs. This amendment would be detrimental to readiness and other mission-critical efforts by taking away funds from their intended use.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to oppose it, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I restate my opposition to this amendment, I urge a ``no'' vote, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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