Armed Services Committee Approves Defense Authorization Bill

Press Release

Earlier today, the U.S. House Armed Services Committee approved H.R. 2647, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010. Ranking Member Howard P. "Buck" McKeon and the Republican members of the Committee welcomed the final product after several of their key initiatives were rejected largely on party-line votes.

The comprehensive defense policy bill authorizes $550.4 billion in budget authority for the Department of Defense (DoD) and the national security programs of the Department of Energy. Additionally, the legislation authorizes $130 billion in funding to support operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere in the Global War on Terrorism for Fiscal Year 2010.

While many Republican provisions were carried in the base legislation, Democrats on the committee blocked several key initiatives proffered by Republican members, including attempts to restore $1.2 billion cut from key national missile defense programs, prohibit the release or transfer of Guantanamo detainees in the United States, and fund key benefits for the men and women of America's military and our honored Veterans.

Rep. Howard P. "Buck" McKeon, Ranking Member:

"As the new Ranking Member of the committee and someone who came to Congress to work on defense issues, I am pleased with the overall quality of the defense authorization bill. Yesterday's debate within the committee was a testament to the millions of men and women within the U.S. military family, and we trust our efforts will support them—whether it be soldiers, sailors, airmen or Marines fighting on the frontlines or their families who are entrusted with fortifying the homefront.

"Though many of our efforts to improve the legislation were blocked, we support the final product and will continue to restore critical funding for missile defense programs. It's ironic that on the same day Democrats blocked Republican efforts to fortify the U.S. homeland against a rogue attack from North Korea, the President of the United States claimed that Kim Jong-Il's regime poses a ‘grave threat' to U.S. national security interests. I hope the President, members of the Committee, and the House Democratic leadership will work with us in our effort to restore funding to critical national security capabilities as we move through the legislative process."

Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, Air and Land Forces Subcommittee Ranking Member:

"This bill, once again, represents a conscientious bipartisan effort by members of the Armed Services Committee to provide our men and women in uniform with the policies and equipment needed to prevail in Iraq and Afghanistan. There are two disappointments. It defies common sense to step back from the need for missile defense in the face of demonstrated effort and achievements by hostile regimes in North Korea and Iran who are pursuing and contributing to an arms race for nuclear ballistic missile capability. Second, this committee has done the best it could, but it is unfortunate that the medium and long-range weapons modernization plans in this bill are built on a shaky foundation. The Administration is gently slapped in this bill for its failure to provide the Congress with the standard analyses required to justify significant changes in several major programs. In addition to ballistic missile defense cuts, these include cuts in the Joint Cargo Aircraft (JCA), Future Combat Systems (FCS) and the F-22. It is the Members of Congress, not the Defense Department employees nor the President who are entrusted with the responsibility under our Constitution in Article I, Section 8 ‘to raise and support Armies; to provide and maintain a Navy; [and] to make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces.'"

Rep. Todd Akin, Seapower and Expeditionary Forces Subcommittee Ranking Member:

"This bill is a decent one, given the fiscal restraints that President Obama and the Democrat Congress have imposed on the Department of Defense. We should be spending more on the defense of our nation, but this is a reasonable start. This bill does a number of good things for the Navy and Marine Corps including the authorization of a multi-year for Super Hornets to help address the Navy's strike-fighter shortfall. This bill supports the President's request for shipbuilding, but we really should be building more ships if we hope to reach the minimum goal of a 313-ship Navy. President Obama's cuts to missile defense are supported by this bill, which is deeply concerning. Why would we cut missile defense funding when North Korea and Iran are only growing more dangerous?"

Rep. J. Randy Forbes, Readiness Subcommittee Ranking Member:

"It is imperative that we take care of our men and women in uniform and provide them with the resources they need to train and protect our nation. This legislation honors the daily sacrifice of our military personnel and their families by increasing military pay 3.4%, and providing a combined $395 million increase to ship repair and naval aviation funding to keep our Navy afloat and our fighters in the air. I am also pleased that the Committee unanimously reaffirmed its oversight role by passing two resolutions of inquiry to ensure that we can have a complete picture of the risk incorporated into this defense budget, particularly as it relates to shipbuilding and aviation. While this bill will do much to enhance our nation's security, it could have done so much more if the committee had not dodged an up or down vote on transferring terrorists held at the Guantanamo Bay prison into the United States."

Rep. Jeff Miller, Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee Ranking Member:

"The Committee has passed strong legislation which supports our special operations forces and takes an across-the-board look at irregular threats. This legislation provides additional support to the Department's efforts to enhance NATO's special operations capability, a very important item at a time when more of our forces are being deployed to Afghanistan to fight alongside NATO forces, and I think we can, and should do more. Given the number of threats to the security of our nation and that of our allies, we are better served by more capable partners. I am confident that our nation's best interests will be furthered with the passage of this legislation."

Rep. Joe Wilson, Military Personnel Subcommittee Ranking Member:

"The National Defense Authorization Act is the culmination of a bipartisan effort in the committee to address the issues that directly affect our military, our veterans, and their families. I am particularly grateful for the inclusion of a 3.4% pay raise for our military - an initiative I had fought for early on in this process. Additionally, there is a renewed focus on the needs of our Reserve and National Guard members who have contributed so much in the Global War on Terrorism as they have seen their role transform from a strategic reserve to an operational force.

"Despite support for the underlining bill, it is disappointing that the committee failed to adopt my amendment which would have used funding set aside in this year's budget to pay for several programs that would have ended the ‘widow's tax', provided for concurrent receipt of retirement pay and VA disability benefits, and extended TRICARE to Guard and Reserve members who are already receiving early retirement. There should also have been a more robust debate on providing early retirement credit for Guard and Reserve members who have been mobilized in support of military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and for other contingency operations since September 11th, 2001. All of these issues are of vital importance to our servicemembers and particularly their families who share in the sacrifices made by our military.

"There also remain legitimate concerns, which include the cuts to our missile defense program, found in this bill. At a time when we see renewed provocation and missile tests coming from regimes in North Korea and Iran , rolling back missile defense funding is shortsighted."

Rep. Rob Bishop: "While I appreciate the bipartisan efforts of Chairman Skelton in moving this bill forward, I remain very concerned that the spending priorities of the Obama Administration for hundreds of billions in spending for social programs, bailouts, and bigger government are shortchanging vital national security requirements. I support the committee's one-year delay in implementing the drawdown of 250 Air Force fighter aircraft as a prudent thing to do. However, the bill simply doesn't provide enough to address aircraft modernization, the F-22, and missile defense programs. If those cuts are allowed to stand, it will cost tens of thousands of good defense jobs during these times of great economic turmoil."

Rep. Mike Turner, Strategic Forces Subcommittee Ranking Member:

"The NDAA, as marked up in committee, represents a continued commitment to provide our men and women in uniform at home and abroad with the resources they need to safely perform their missions. However, I am disappointed that the bill authorizes the Administration's short-sighted cuts in national missile defense. On the same day that the President said North Korea posed a grave threat to the world, the majority voted down amendments to restore vital missile defense funding. I am pleased to see the committee approve key language from my NATO First legislation, including strengthening the U.S. commitment to NATO and support for European missile defense. Finally, the committee adopted my amendments to protect military personnel from sexual assault and to strengthen child custody rights for deployed military parents."

Rep. John Kline: "As a 25-year veteran of the Marine Corps and a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I consider it an honor and a privilege to play a direct role in crafting and passing legislation that supports our veterans of today and tomorrow. I am pleased that the National Defense Authorization Act ensures that our sons and daughters in uniform will have the resources they need to complete their mission.

"I am disappointed, however, that the committee missed an opportunity to further increase veterans benefits. Congressman Wilson's amendment, which I was proud to help introduce and support, would have provided the funds necessary to fulfill the promise of concurrent receipt for disabled retirees; eliminated the ‘widow's tax' created by the offset between Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuities and Veterans' Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC); improved health care coverage for reserve component members; and funded the Administration's initiative to provide concurrent receipt for disabled military retirees with less than 20 years of service.

"I remain committed to ensuring America's military personnel - and their families, military retirees, and veterans have the support they deserve."

Rep. Cathy McMorris-Rodgers: "We cannot take lightly daily news releases reporting North Korea's continued development of short, mid and long-range nuclear capabilities. It is a serious threat to our country and the Majority should want to do everything possible to protect all Americans from these threats."

Rep. Doug Lamborn: "I am pleased to see funding for many of our vital national defense programs. However, I am disappointed by the lack of funds allocated to critical aspects of our military budget. Specifically, cuts to the manned ground vehicle portion of the Army's Future Combat System must be reconsidered if we seek to create a modern, medium-weight force to be effective in harsh environments. Additionally, the decision to halt the production of F-22s at 187 must be reconsidered if the United States wishes to maintain air dominance.

"Also, I am disappointed with the decision to eliminate the three additional Brigade Combat Teams, although I am pleased that the Army will not reduce end strength. Possibly the most disturbing budget cut of all is the $1.2 billion in cuts to our missile defense budget. This includes eliminating the Airborne Laser, Multiple Kill Vehicle, and Kinetic Energy Interceptor programs. These are essential to a robust, layered ballistic missile defense system for not just theater-based defense, but for homeland defense. As this bill moves forward, I hope there will be serious consideration of the implications of these cuts."

Rep. Rob Wittman, Oversight & Investigations Subcommittee Ranking Member:

"I am proud of the bipartisan effort this committee has put forth to ensure that those serving in the military have the best tools and training possible in order to accomplish their mission. This bill makes great strides in caring for the needs of our active, reserve and retired service members and their families. While I am disappointed by the failure to prohibit the transfer of Guantanamo detainees into the U.S. and by the cuts to our missile defense program, I will continue to advocate their importance as this bill moves towards consideration by the full House."

Rep. Mary Fallin: "This year's defense authorization bill provides critical funding for our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, our veterans and our military families. Additionally, I am extremely pleased with the 3.4% increase in pay for active duty personnel, a figure greater than the increase requested by the President. While I was unhappy with some aspects of the legislation, including the cuts in missile defense spending and the rejection of an amendment designed to prevent the transfer of Gitmo detainees to U.S. soil, I was ultimately compelled to place these reservations aside to support the ‘big picture.' In this case, that includes funding our men and women in the field and authorizing the programs that provide vital support to military families, veterans and troops."

Rep. Mike Coffman: "No doubt, having served in Iraq with the U.S. Marine Corps, I have a concern that this bill does not dedicate the resources necessary to prevail in Afghanistan."

Rep. Tom Rooney: "One of the main roles of the federal government and Congress is to ensure we have a strong national defense. I am honored to have the opportunity to serve on the House Armed Services Committee and to participate in the mark-up of the defense reauthorization bill. However, I was very disappointed in the partisan and political tone of the debate with regards to important projects such as missile defense, benefits for military families, and dredging of the Naval Station Mayport. These decisions should be made on national defense and posture, not based on political motives. It is extremely frustrating that the committee voted to ignore requests from the Obama Administration, the Secretary of Defense and the Navy to provide funding to dredge Naval Station Mayport—which is vital to our national security. I look forward to working with Chairman Skelton and Ranking Member McKeon as the bill moves to the House floor, and I will continue to fight for what is in the best interests of our military and national defense."

Rep. Todd Platts: "As a new member of the House Armed Services Committee, I was honored to be part of the process of approving legislation that recognizes the important service performed by our Nation's men and women in uniform. I applaud the Committee for the bipartisan work that was done on the bill. In particular, I am glad that the final bill authorizes a 3.4% pay raise for our troops - greater than the amount proposed by the President.

"At the same time, I must express my deep disappointment in the failure of the bill to fully fund the ‘concurrent receipt' of military retired pay and veterans disability benefits. I have long maintained that my service as a Member of Congress pales in comparison to the service of the members of the military who protect our country every day. We must do right by these heroic individuals, including providing them with the full benefits to which they are due."

H.R. 2647 is expected to be considered on the House floor in the coming weeks.

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