Department of Defense Appropriatiations Act, 2007
Floor Speech
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2007
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, I am very pleased to rise in strong support of the H.R. 3222, the Department of Defense and related agencies appropriations bill for fiscal year 2008.
As a member of Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, I am extremely proud of the work of the Subcommittee and our members on both sides of the aisle, in crafting a bill which truly provides for the defense and security of our Nation, our friends and allies, and promotes, supports and preserves the mutual security interests of both our friends and allies around the world.
More importantly, I would remind all of us here this evening, that anyone inside, or outside our shores, or for that matter, hiding in the most obscure and remote cave, or under a rock for that matter, who might wish upon us, our citizens and friends--the slightest of ill will or harm--should be very clear that this bill also serves as a stark, ominous and indisputable reminder of this Congress's and our Nation's resolve and dedication to our absolute domestic and global security--particularly in the face of those who would threaten the very rule of law, democratic ideals, and more importantly, the God-ordained principles of peaceful, fair, and progressive coexistence, among all God's children and nations.
It is important that our men and women who honorably serve in the defense of our Nation, have all the equipment, material and other resources they need to provide for the security of this Nation and our interests around the world.
Without question, the current war in Iraq and Afghanistan has placed a tremendous strain in this area, as well our potential ability to effectively respond to eminent security treats which may occur elsewhere throughout the world.
However, I firmly believe that our bill indeed goes far in meeting those needs and addressing any potential threats which might exist wherever they might arise.
More importantly, I, as well as my fellow Committee Members, are absolutely committed to providing our troops every dollar, dime and penny they need to defend our Nation and our interests--both here and abroad.
In this regard, our bill fully supports the Defense Department's plans to increase the size of the Army and Marine Corps to reduce the pressure to extend troop deployments.
Our bill will cover the costs of increasing the Army by 7,000 new members and the Marine Corps by 5,000 new members--including both the personnel costs and the associated equipment and outfitting costs. For the Army alone, the equipping costs amount to more than $4 million and, for the Marine Corps, the equipping costs amount to more than $2 million.
Our bill also provides $925 million, $635 million above 2007, specifically to address equipment shortfalls of the National Guard and Reserve in order to help these forces meet the demands of overseas deployments and respond to natural disasters here at home. This amount meets the requirements identified by the Chief of the National Guard Bureau in the ``Essential 10 Equipment Requirements for the Global War on Terror.''
Additionally, our bill provides an overall increase of 13 percent for home-station training, so that our troops are prepared for any eventual deployment. It also outfits a new 8th Stryker Brigade of the highly successful troop carrier to support the Army's evolution to a larger, more rapidly deployable force.
But lest anyone of us here tonight forget no matter the short-term outcome of the current conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan--whether it ends in the next few months, or extends through next year or beyond--it ``will end'' at some point, hopefully very soon.
And it is on this issue that I am particularly proud of the work of our Committee.
Ladies and gentlemen, not withstanding what we may individually believe to be our moral, national security or political interests in the war in Iraq and Afghanistan
we need to meet and provide for the needs of our troops when they return home from the conflict in the Middle East.
And, I am very proud that the bill recommended by the Committee takes a proactive stance in addressing the needs of and improving the facilities which our men and women serving overseas will return to, and the resources provided to their families, both in the near and long term.
Mr. Chairman, our bill provides $558.4 million more than the President's request, for military family support, including childcare centers, education programs and the family advocacy program which supports military families affected by the war and child and spousal abuse.
Additionally, the bill contains $1.3 billion more than the President's request to repair barracks, improve child care facilities, and improve community services at military bases, to address the strain put on facilities by changes in force structure, base closures, and a global repositioning of our troops.
Our bill will significantly bolster base security, investing $141.9 million above the President's request for perimeter security force protection and related security improvements, to protect DOD bases, schools, and hospitals from terrorist attacks.
I am very proud that Ft. Benning, the "home'' of the Infantry, is located in my district. And I am particularly pleased that our bill places a very high priority on investing in vital facilities like Ft. Benning, in anticipation of our troops return from the war.
As a new member of the Appropriation's Subcommittee on Defense, I was struck by the Department's ongoing challenges in effectively managing its procurement activities, particularly in terms of contractor oversight, and our long term, multi-year plans, commitments and management in this area.
From 2000 to 2005, DOD contracting-out increased by 73 percent, but oversight has actually decreased.
I am very pleased that the Committee's report on the bill directs several steps to improve the oversight of contractors, including the following: In order to improve the oversight of contractors, the bill increases the budget of certain critical DOD oversight agencies--including providing an increase of $24 million for the DOD Inspector General, $17 million for the Defense Contract Management Agency, and $12 million for the Defense Contract Audit Agency. The bill also provides $21 million to permit the temporary assignment of 600 contract specialists from the General Services Administration to help DOD oversee contracts.
The Committee report requires the Secretary of Defense to develop minimum standards for all contractors performing security functions and to establish a clear set of rules of engagement for those operating in Iraq and Afghanistan, within 90 days of the bill's enactment.
The Committee report also requires a report that identifies: (1) DOD acquisition workforce needs; and (2) tools to recruit and retain these personnel in order to provide adequate management of contracts and oversight of contract performance.
Finally, I would like to congratulate my Chairman, JACK MURTHA, and Ranking Member BILL YOUNG, for the outstanding job they have done in stewarding and leading the important work of our Subcommittee.
And I would be remiss if I did not recognize and thank the staff of Subcommittee--David Morrison and his outstanding staff, as well as John Shank and the minority staff, in the outstanding work they do on behalf of this body and the Nation.
This is a good bill, and I urge my colleagues to support the FY08 Defense Appropriations bill.
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