Readiness Subcommittee Chairman Solomon Ortiz Opening Statement

Hearing on Fiscal Year 2011 National Defense Authorization Budget Request for Military Construction, Family Housing, Base Closure, Facilities Operation and Maintenance

“This hearing will come to order.  I thank our distinguished witnesses for appearing before this subcommittee today.

“Today the Readiness Subcommittee will hear about fiscal year 2011 military construction and BRAC programs. 

“Overall, I continue to be pleased with the level of investment that the President has proposed in the BRAC and military construction programs.  It provides a good balance among the various priorities and does an excellent job of supporting the warfighters in areas where they need the most help.  But there are many areas that can be improved.

“In BRAC, I indicated during this same hearing last year, to some of the same witnesses here today, that I was concerned about the apparent rush to meet the BRAC deadline and to avoid wasting taxpayers’ money.  That is why I am surprised this administration has decided to double- and triple-shift construction workers at BRAC projects instead of requesting relief on the 2011 BRAC statutory deadline. 

“I don’t consider it to be in our government’s best interests to spend several hundred million dollars above normal construction costs to artificially accelerate contracts, to move organizations into temporary trailers as a long-term solution, or to create traffic congestion with little thought given to how to alleviate local community concerns.

“We owe the men and women of our armed services, and the taxpayers of this nation, the very best BRAC implementation plan that smoothly relocates forces.  

“Let me turn to another subject that is equally concerning.  The United States, and I think the Government of Japan, are committed to moving 8,000 Marine forces from Okinawa to Guam.  I support this move and believe it is in our two nations’ best interest. 

“However, it is becoming obvious that there are many aspects of this plan that need to be improved.  First and foremost is the inability of this administration to pull together a comprehensive federal response that links the Department of Defense with the Department of Transportation, the Department of Interior, the EPA, and other federal agencies.  In the end, I believe our ability to relocate these Marine forces will be negatively affected due to the lack of an interagency response. 

“I think it is time for the Department of Defense to take a leadership role, and possibly a fiscal role, in ensuring that this realignment is done correctly.

“I am also concerned about the lack of a comprehensive effort for housing and providing medical care for the construction workforce, the feasibility of completing the realignment by 2014, and the large destruction of coral reefs to support naval assets. 

“This committee has steadfastly supported this realignment effort, but I think it is time for the Department of Defense to assess what further steps we need to take to get this realignment done right.

“I would be remiss if I didn’t also mention that the Army Base Operating Services account for fiscal year 2011 appears to be underfunded.  I hope the Army witness will be able to discuss the impacts that this budget request, if enacted, would have on daily operations at Army installations.

“I want to conclude my opening statement by mentioning that I continue to have a significant concern about how the Department is implementing the overall realignment of the Walter Reed Medical Center.  This Congress is not willing to risk a potential disruption of wounded warrior care. 

“I am deeply troubled by the lack of a comprehensive plan to address the organizational and facility requirements to achieve the Department’s vision of a world-class medical center.  As this committee evaluates fiscal options, there is no doubt we will fully support this vital mission, even at the expense of other service priorities. 

“Ladies and gentlemen, I think that we have a lot to discuss today and I look forward to hearing you address these important issues.

            “Today, we have a panel of distinguished witnesses representing the Department.   Our witnesses include: Dr. Dorothy Robyn, Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Installations and Environment, Department of Defense; Mr. Joseph Calcara, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Installations and Housing); Mr. Roger Natsuhara, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Installations and Environment) and Ms. Kathleen Ferguson, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Installations)

“Without objection, the witnesses’ prepared testimony will be accepted for the record.  Secretary Robyn, welcome, and it is good to see you again.  Please proceed with your opening remarks.”

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