National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012

Floor Speech

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

First, I want to thank Chairman Turner for his hard work and dedication when it comes to the national defense and well-being of our warfighters. I am privileged to be able to serve on the House Armed Services with my friend.

With that said, I disagree with my friend on this amendment. I believe this amendment calls for an unnecessary report to Congress meant to delay the Air Force's decision to consolidate and move the Program Executive Office for Enterprise Information Systems. This consolidation is at no cost to the Air Force.

Adequate cost studies already exist as a part of the 2005 BRAC Commission Report. Those reports show that executing these operations at Gunter Annex in Montgomery, Alabama, is more cost effective than at either Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts, or Wright-Paterson Air Force Base in Ohio. The Air Force chain of command supports the decision to consolidate and relocate.

In short, Mr. Chairman, I believe that this amendment is an example of one of the ways that we can save money and make efficient choices when it comes to the Defense Department that doesn't come at the expense of the warfighter. At a time when our Nation is facing its dire fiscal situation, these are the types of small cost-saving decisions that add up over time.

I would also like to thank my colleague from Alabama, Mrs. Martha Roby, for her leadership on this issue. She is a strong advocate for our brave warfighters, and I would like to associate myself with her remarks.

Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to vote against this amendment.

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