WE MEET THIS MORNING TO MARKUP THE DEFENSE BILL FOR FISCAL YEAR 2005.
FIRST, I THANK SENATOR INOUYE AND HIS STAFF FOR THEIR HELP IN GETTING THIS BILL READY FOR MARKUP. IT REFLECTS A TRUE BIPARTISAN EFFORT ON BEHALF OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE.
THIS BILL PROVIDES $416.2 BILLION IN BUDGET AUTHORITY FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE INCLUDING $25 BILLION OF CONTINGENT EMERGENCY FUNDING FOR COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH OPERATIONS IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN.
THE BILL IS $1.7 BILLION UNDER THE PRESIDENT’S AMENDED FISCAL YEAR 2005 BUDGET REQUEST OF $417.8 BILLION.
THE BILL PROVIDES FUNDS TO SUPPORT OPERATIONS IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN, FIGHT THE GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM, AS WELL AS FULLY FUND KEY READINESS PROGRAMS.
IT PROVIDES GROWTH IN THE INTELLIGENCE BUDGET AND MAINTAIN THE OVERALL READINESS OF DOD FORCES WORLDWIDE.
THE BILL FULLY FUNDS MILITARY PAY, BENEFITS AND MEDICAL PROGRAMS.
IT SUPPORTS THE INITIAL DEPLOYMENT OF NATIONAL MISSILE DEFENSE PROGRAMS AND CONTINUES THE INVESTMENT IN THEATER MISSILE DEFENSES.
THE BILL PROVIDES PROGRAM INCREASES IN SUPPORT OF “MILITARY TRANSFORMATION” WHILE MAKING DELIBERATE ADJUSTMENTS TO ENSURE THAT FUTURE COSTS, AS WELL AS DEVELOPMENT, TESTING, AND PRODUCTION ARE EFFICIENTLY MANAGED.
FINALLY, WE HAVE ALSO INCLUDED MANY INITIATIVES THAT HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE SENATE 2005 NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BILL, SUCH AS ADDITIONAL ARMY END STRENGTH AND TRICARE FOR GUARD AND RESERVE.
WE HAVE A MANAGER’S AMENDMENT THAT INCLUDES TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS AND OTHER TIMES WHICH HAVE BEEN CLEARED ON BOTH SIDES.
LET ME RECOGNIZE THE RANKING MEMBER, SENATOR INOUYE FOR HIS REMARKS.
