Chairman Solomon Ortiz Opening Statement

Readiness Subcommittee

 Full Committee Mark-up of FY11 NDAA (H.R. 5136)

“Thank you, Mr. Chairman.  The Readiness Subcommittee package before us today continues efforts begun in fiscal year 2010 to address readiness shortfalls.

“It supports the President’s request for increased training funding for all the active-duty forces and provides funding to continue reset of equipment damaged or worn out through nine years of continuous combat operations. 

“The Readiness mark authorizes $168 billion for operation and maintenance.  This represents a $12 billion increase over the fiscal year 2010 amount authorized in the base budget.

“To reduce budgetary risk to readiness in areas where the services have identified shortfalls, the mark includes funding above the levels contained in the budget request.  These areas include:

•           Navy ship and aviation depot maintenance;

•           Naval aviation flight training;

•           Air Force weapon system sustainment and support equipment;

•           Army base operating services;

•           Army Reserve depot maintenance; and

•           Contract and performance management, to include training in critical acquisition fields.

“The mark authorizes $130 million for energy conservation and renewable energy projects and directs the Secretary of Defense to issue a plan for meeting long-term energy goals. 

“The mark also supports the Readiness and Environmental Protection Initiative which ensures the long-term viability of testing and training ranges by protecting them from encroachment.

“Turning to military construction, base realignment and closure, and family housing, the mark authorizes $20 billion for fiscal year 2011.

In addition to the effective programs requested by this administration, this mark includes several additional initiatives that will improve military installations, including:

•           Additional authority to expedite military construction in Afghanistan;

•           An additional $730 million to fully fund facilities sustainment for all the services;

•           Full funding of the BRAC 2005 budget request;

•           Full funding for schools construction;

•           An additional $200 million to support reserve component military construction; and

•           An additional $190 million to support Army trainee barracks.

“In other areas, the mark includes two provisions that are aimed at improving how the Department of Defense uses private security contractors.  Both are aimed at addressing concerns that have been raised regarding the quality and experience of private security contractors.

“The mark also includes provisions related to benefits for DOD civilians who are deployed to combat zones.  These provisions are very important because federal civilian employees are increasingly providing important support in contingency operations.

“For operation and maintenance funding for the military services, the fiscal year 2011 base budget for Army O&M shows a much-needed reinvestment in training and readiness.           

“Increases in funding for all Army components, along with the drawdown from Iraq, will begin to put the Army on a path to restoring its readiness posture.

“With the fiscal year 2011 budget request, the Navy attempts a course correction to restore flying-hour funding in order to more correctly fund operational requirements and meet training goals for the Navy and Marine Corps.  To ensure the sea services can attain these goals, the mark includes $185 million in additional funding for naval aviation training and aircraft depot maintenance.

“The mark contains additional funding for Air Force accounts critical to supporting emergent missions and taking care of an aging aircraft fleet, which were identified as the Air Force’s top readiness concerns. The mark provides $150 million for weapons system sustainment and some $80 million for support equipment and combat forces.

“This is a good mark, and I am pleased to present it to the full committee today for your consideration.  It reflects our bipartisan desire to improve readiness and balance the many priorities of our military. 

“I thank my ranking member, Mr. Forbes from Virginia, for his help in preparing this mark. 

“I also would like to express my appreciation to the Committee staff – especially the Readiness Subcommittee staff – for all their work on this extraordinary bill:  Lynn Williams, Eryn Robinson, Cathy Garman, Dave Sienicki, Tom Hawley, Doug Bush, Jack Schuler, Katy Bloomberg, Kathleen Kelly, Jamie Lynch, and Vickie Plunkett.”

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