Protecting Volunteer Firefighters and Emergency Responders Act of 2014

Floor Speech

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Mr. McINTYRE. Mr. Speaker, I want to begin by thanking my good friend from Virginia, Subcommittee Chairman Randy Forbes. He has not only been an exceptional partner on this subcommittee but, more importantly, has been a dear friend throughout my entire time in Congress, and he has been an exceptional leader also of the Congressional Prayer Caucus, with whom I have enjoyed serving as cochairman. I know that the gentleman from Virginia will continue the great tradition of bipartisanship on this subcommittee, and I wish him, as well as those with whom we have served on our great subcommittee, the best in the future as they continue to serve our men and women in uniform.

This bill contains $15.65 billion for shipbuilding that will authorize two Virginia class submarines, two Arleigh Burke class destroyers, three Littoral Combat Ships, and provides an additional $800 million for a twelfth San Antonio class amphibious ship.

This bill also reaffirms Congress' support of an 11-ship aircraft carrier fleet, with the addition of nearly $800 million for the refueling and overhaul of the USS George Washington, something that I know Chairman Forbes and I share a passion about. These ships are critical to the United States' ability to project power and presence anywhere in the world.

This bill, Mr. Speaker, continues the long tradition of bipartisan support for our troops, for which this committee is known.

I am very humbled and honored to have been able to serve on this important committee for our Nation's security, and I want to thank the colleagues that I have served with over these last 18 years.

Mr. Speaker, I also thank Chairman McKeon and Ranking Member Adam Smith, my classmate, for their steady leadership throughout this process. Both of these gentlemen have been great partners, and without them, we would not be here now to vote on this bill.

It has, indeed, been a privilege to serve with them, to serve with the committee members, and, most importantly, to serve our great men and women in uniform who serve all of us throughout this country and, indeed, around the world.

I strongly urge all of my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this bill.

May God's blessings be with those who serve our country and continue to stand night and day for our freedom. Let's show them our support. Let's support this bill and get it done today. God bless all of them, and God bless our Nation.

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