Representative Tom Cole, Oklahoma's 4th District

Representative Tom Cole, Oklahoma's 4th District

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Floor Speech

 
For Immediate Release
June 20, 2006
*View Video
Congressman Cole's Statement in Support of FY07 Defense Approps
 
  Washington, D.C.--Congressman Cole made the following opening statement today on the House floor during debate of the rule for the FY07 Defense Appropriations bill (H.R. 5631). A rule, which sets the terms of debate on the floor, must be passed before the actual piece of legislation is debatable.

"Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support the rule for H.R. 5631 and the underlying resolution.  In past debates on defense appropriations, I have spoken of the four challenges I believe we must successfully address if we are to ensure the security of our country in the 21st century.  These challenges are, first, addressing the equipment and readiness needs created by the 1990's procurement holiday; second, transforming and adapting our forces to use the opportunities and meet the challenges posed by the new technologies of the information age; third, increasing the size and changing the fore structure of our forces in order to have more available manpower for deployment and for combat operations and; fourth, doing those things necessary to win the war on terror and succeed in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Mr. Speaker, the rule and the underlying legislation do much to meet the four challenges.  The bill itself provides $427.4 billion to meet the needs of our military.  That is $19.1 billion more than last year.  Speaking broadly, the bill provides:

      • $84.9 billion for military personnel
      • $120.5 billion for operations and maintenance
      • $81.5 billion for procurement
      • $75.3 for research and development
      • $50.0 billion toward the costs of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan

The procurement sections of the underlying bill do much to bring on line new weapons and replace worn out equipment.  I am particularly pleased to note the $11 billion for naval shipbuilding and conversion, the $2.9 billion for 42 F/A-18's, the $2.9 billion for 20 F/A-22 aircraft and the $500 million above the President's request for National Guard Equipment needs.  In addition, in light of developments in North Korea, the $9 billion for ballistic missile defense is clearly a prudent expenditure.  Additional funds are available to replace equipment lost in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

On the personnel front the end strength of the National Guard is funded at its full projected strength of 350,000.  Moreover, all personnel receive a 2.2% across the board raise as the Administration requested. 

Mr. Speaker, we have a long way to go before we make up for the neglect of our military in the 1990's when we reduced our end strength levels and failed to replace and update weapons systems and bring on new weapons.  The changing nature of technology poses real threats and opportunities.  Moreover our forces are involved in a tough fight against a vicious enemy in Afghanistan and Iraq.  They require our continued support.

No one bill can in and of itself can address all these challenges.  However, the Appropriations Committee has brought us a bill that makes significant progress in all these areas.  Moreover, Mr. Speaker, this is a bipartisan bill, carefully crafted by the Chairman Mr. Young of Florida and Mr. Murtha of Pennsylvania.  Their professionalism and cooperation in devising ways to meet the needs of our men and women in uniform is something to which we should all aspire. 

            With that Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time."

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