Protecting Volunteer Firefighters and Emergency Responders Act of 2014

Floor Speech

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Mr. THORNBERRY. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this measure. As we have already
heard, there are Members who have concerns about various provisions of
this bill. I think many Members have concerns about the process which
brought this bill to us. It was certainly messy, which was inevitable
when the Senate never passed a bill.

When you look at this measure as a whole, despite any imperfections,
it is better for the country, better for our security, better for the
men and women who serve in the Armed Forces to pass this bill rather
than to reject this bill, and I hope Members will support it strongly.

In fact, there are many good, important provisions in it. Within the
Subcommittee on Intelligence, Emerging Threats and Capabilities, we
have provisions dealing with cyber operations, with defense
intelligence, special operations, and human rights training of foreign
militaries. I am very grateful to my partner Mr. Langevin, who has
worked with me throughout the formulation of these provisions and
throughout the past 4 years on those issues.

Mr. Speaker, finally, it is very appropriate that this bill be named
in honor of Chairman Buck McKeon, not just for the work he has done on
this measure, but for the work he has done to promote our country's
security throughout his tenure and for the commitment that he has shown
to the men and women who serve our country in the military.

He has made substantial contributions substantively and, I agree with
Mr. Smith, collaboratively in working in a bipartisan way, which is
also good for the country, good for the men and women who serve. We
will certainly miss him, but we appreciate very much all his
contributions, and naming this bill for him is one way to help
recognize those.

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