Conference Report on H.R. 1540, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012

Floor Speech

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Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Thank you, Chairman McKeon, for your commitment to military servicemembers, family members, and veterans.

Before I begin, I want to commend Vice Chairman Mac Thornberry for his clarification of the detainee issue, which is that the issue does not apply to U.S. citizens. This is directed at al Qaeda--illegal enemy combatants--not at U.S. citizens.

The military personnel provisions of H.R. 1540 provide new and important authorities to support the men and women in uniform and their families. Some of the more important personnel provisions contained in the conference agreement are: a 1.6 percent increase in military basic pay; a revised policy for measuring and reporting unit operations tempo and personnel tempo, especially when we must continue our resolve for victory in the current mission requirements.

Another initiative important to my constituents is the reform of the military recruiting system to include graduates of home schooling and virtual schools. I see military service as opportunity and fulfilling, and these are extraordinary patriots who deserve the opportunity to serve.

The conference agreement would make the chief of the National Guard Bureau a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Furthermore, the agreement clarifies the legal authority for the oversight of Arlington National Cemetery, a national shrine for veterans.

I believe this bill is also strong in the multiple provisions dealing with sexual assault; and it provides new authority, such as temporary early retirement, to ease the impact of future military personnel reductions.

I urge all of my colleagues to support the conference report.

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