National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012

Floor Speech

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Mr. WICKER. Mr. President, I rise this afternoon in support of the fiscal year 2012 national defense authorization bill.

As ranking member on the Seapower Subcommittee, I wish to thank both Chairman Levin and Ranking Member McCain for their leadership. It is somewhat of an achievement in actually getting the bill to the floor at this time, and I appreciate their determination.

As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday next week, I would like to take a moment to honor the men and women of our Armed Forces. We are grateful for their service, and our thoughts and prayers are with those now deployed at sea and ashore. My own State of Mississippi is home to many brave servicemembers. Their sacrifices are matched, of course, by those of their families who have supported them day in and day out as they selflessly serve this country.

As ranking member of the Seapower Subcommittee, I have had the pleasure of working with my friend Senator Reed of Rhode Island, who is chairman of that subcommittee. We both worked to ensure that this bill meets a wide range of procurement, sustainment and research and development needs for the Navy and the Marine Corps.

Our deliberations were informed by, among other things, a series of hearings we held that addressed force structure and modernization for the Department of the Navy. This process has resulted in a bill that contains provisions which will deliver important capabilities and support our sailors and marines.

The bill before us is supportive of the President's shipbuilding budget request and contributes to the continued vitality of our shipbuilding industrial base which is very important. At a time when we are concerned about job creation, the last thing we want to do is let our industrial base be chipped away.

The fiscal year 2012 shipbuilding budget funds new construction for various types and classes of ships, including an aircraft carrier, amphibious ships, submarines, and large and small surface combatants, totaling more than $15 billion.

From our discussions during the Seapower Subcommittee meetings, it has become abundantly clear that members are concerned about challenges in maintaining fleet capacity among many classes of ships and the capability gaps that exist that have a real effect on the sailors who crew these ships. From amphibious ships to aircraft carriers to destroyers and to submarines, our Navy must maintain an adequate balance among all classes of ships to ensure our Navy can execute these responsibilities.

Through classified briefings we have received from senior officials in the Navy and in the intelligence community, the Seapower Subcommittee also is well aware of the imminent and emerging threats facing our sea services. America must maintain its capability to project power and uphold our obligations to our friends and allies throughout the world. This means robust investment in seapower, and I am heartened that this bill contains such an investment.

With the Deficit Reduction Committee's recommendations due to Congress in less than 1 week, I know all my colleagues agree that cutting our deficit and reducing our national debt responsibly is a must. Failing to act will put the burden on our children and grandchildren. We must make tough decisions now on spending because our current track is unsustainable.

I hope the Deficit Reduction Committee is able to come to an agreement on spending priorities because the alternative is unacceptable cuts in national defense. We must remember that national defense is solely a Federal responsibility. Failure to reach consensus would have grave consequences for our military. Marine Corps Commandant GEN James Amos cautioned about such cuts earlier this week.

In conclusion, I believe the national defense authorization bill reaffirms our commitment to national security and to our men and women in uniform.

I urge my colleagues to act quickly on this important piece of legislation, and once again I thank and commend my friends, Chairman Levin and Ranking Member McCain.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

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