Providing for Consideration of H.R. 5136, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. GINGREY of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to this rule.

Yesterday I testified in front of the Rules Committee on five amendments I offered to this National Defense Authorization Act. Unfortunately, House Democrats refused to allow any of my commonsense amendments to be debated today on the floor. And I am sure they were germane, Mr. Speaker--things such as regarding the transfer of detainees at Guantanamo Bay, the use of alternative sources of fuel at DOD, excessive union activity on official time at the Department of Defense, and gun rights for the 40,000 active and reserve members of our military who reside in Washington, D.C.

However, the Rules Committee did make in order an amendment with which I have strong reservations. Today should be about what is best for the defense of our Nation and what is best for our brave men and women in uniform. However, it is clear that today, Mr. Speaker, many in this body intend to use our military as a means to placate a liberal political constituency, rather than taking the time to weigh the input of 2.5 million men and women and their families who wear the uniform, including the family of Lieutenant Tyler Brown, who gave his life for his country in Iraq almost 6 years ago. Today would be his 32nd birthday.

Mr. Speaker, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Secretary of Defense have asked Congress to delay voting on Don't Ask, Don't Tell repeal until the completion of a study on the impact of the repeal and the best ways to implement it. Simply put, we must know what impact repeal of the law will have on unit cohesion, readiness, recruiting, and retention.

But, unfortunately, rather than wait for the results, Mr. Speaker, our Democratic colleagues want to prejudge its conclusions and substitute their judgment for the collective findings of our military. This is without question the wrong way to legislate, but it is what the American people have come to expect from this Democratic majority.

It wasn't long ago that Speaker Pelosi told the American people that they would learn what was in the health care bill once it was passed. Now liberals in Congress are once again selling the American people this same bill of goods, Congress must act without fully knowing what the impact of acting will be.

The stakes are indeed high, Mr. Speaker. By ignoring the opinion of the military and their families, the majority will alienate the very institution that is fighting on the front lines of this global war on terror.

General George Casey, the Army Chief of Staff, has "serious concerns about the impact of the repeal of the law on a force that is fully engaged in two wars and has been at war for 8 1/2 years.'' Similar concerns have been noted by every other service chief, by the American Legion, by over 1,500 retired general flag and general staff officers, and countless others. Clearly the Democrats believe they know better.

The American people want to trust their government, Mr. Speaker. But the repeated bait-and-switch tactics of congressional liberals is making that virtually impossible. So I urge my colleagues, vote against this rush to judgment.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source