Hearing of the Readiness Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee - National Defense Reauthorization Act

Hearing

Rep. Rob Wittman (VA), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Readiness, made the following opening statement as prepared for delivery at the Subcommittee Markup of H.R. 4435, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015.

All Subcommittee Marks can be found on the Committee Repository; the committee is no longer providing paper copies of Marks. Additionally, a live video feed of the markup can be seen on the Committee website.

"Welcome to the Readiness Subcommittee Markup of H.R. 4435, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015. I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to the members of the subcommittee who worked on a bi-partisan basis, under very challenging circumstances, to put this mark together. I want to especially thank my distinguished Ranking Member, Madeleine Bordallo, for her dogged determination to ensure we've stayed focused on the right issues, and who I consider a close personal friend.

"We've traveled to bases and military installations all over the world, including most recently to Afghanistan, meeting with our men and women in uniform, seeing first-hand the detrimental consequences of sequestration and budget cuts. And I know I speak for both of us when I say that we're deeply concerned about how cancelled training opportunities and equipment shortfalls impact them and their ability to do their missions, and of course, about what we know is coming in FY16 -- more senseless, devastating budget cuts at a time when the world is not getting any safer.

"Specifically, some facts stand out as we consider this mark:

-The Air Force Flying Hour Program cuts from last year have only restored approximately 50% of our pilots back to the appropriate training levels;

- The Navy has been forced to consider future reductions in force structure -- to include "Phased Modernization' of Cruisers and Amphibious warships over the next few years, in addition to an out-years request to retire a Carrier, to meet a budget mandate;

- The Marine Corps is establishing crisis response task forces in the Middle East and South America, but has not been given the $33.8 million needed to properly resource them;

- The Army has identified approximately $1.73 billion in unfunded training needs they believe are imperative to keep our troops safe;

- And, not to be overlooked -- shortfalls and backlogs in the depots persist for all of the services for Fiscal Year 2015.

"These facts point to essentially one conclusion: the impact on the force has been significant and I don't see any relief in the out-years unless we address sequestration.

"I'm pleased that this mark alleviates some concerns and address some shortfalls and gaps in the readiness accounts, but more work remains to be done and I know that I can count on the members of this subcommittee, who share my passion to support those who serve, moving forward.

"Specifically, we have:

* Prohibited the Department from pursuing an additional BRAC round, or any other effort, aimed at locking in unwise force structure reductions during a time of accelerated transition and the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan;

* Addressed highlighted deficiencies in the Air Force's nuclear enterprise by resourcing several unfunded requirements for the Nuclear Force Improvement Program (FIP), while also addressing nuclear security forces equipment shortfalls which have exacerbated the challenges.

* Addressed the Marine Corps requirement to establish two new special Marine Air-Ground Task Forces in SOUTHCOM and CENTCOM which are needed to support U.S. diplomatic and military installations around the world, requirements made exceptionally clear after the attack on the consulate in Benghazi.

* Taken steps to enhance the hard-won readiness of the Army by funding unmet requirements for training, flying hours, and depot maintenance necessary to support ongoing and future operations, particularly in Africa where I recently visited.

* Ensured a ready and robust Navy -- prepared to support global Combatant Commander requirements by:

- mitigating shortfalls in the aviation depot maintenance accounts;

- restoring CVN-73 funding to retain it as a viable fleet asset; and

- recommending plans for the Ticonderoga Class Cruisers and Dock Landing Ships in the Chairman's mark.

* And fully funded flying hour programs across the services to ensure our pilots don't have to step into an aircraft without proper qualifications.

"As I close, I wish to reiterate my concern that we here in Washington need to better understand how the choices we make impact those who serve and sacrifice on our behalf. While I'm please with the work we've done in this mark, we must continue to focus on restoring the readiness lost as a result of sequestration and senseless budget decisions.

"I would like to now turn to my distinguished colleague and Ranking Member, Madeleine."

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