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Washington D.C. – The House Armed Services Committee voted on Wednesday to require the four military service chiefs to certify that repealing the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) law will not negatively impact combat readiness and effectiveness. The amendment, offered by Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.), was approved by a vote of 33-27.
As the implementation of the repeal continues in the midst of combat operations in Afghanistan and elsewhere around the world, the opinion of the service chiefs is critically informative as to the best way forward for the military.
“The four military service chiefs are far more closely connected to the day-to-day realities facing each respective service branch than those who are currently required to sign off on the repeal – including the President,” said Hunter.
“The President, the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs should all take part in the certification process, but excluding the service chiefs is a mistake. They may agree to move forward with the repeal or they may have other recommendations for implementation and timing. Either way, their unvarnished perspective is critical to this process—especially as it relates to preserving the military’s high rate of effectiveness.”
Armed Services Committee Chairman Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-Calif.) applauded Rep. Hunter’s amendment as an opportunity to answer lingering questions about how the repeal would impact military readiness. “My concern with the repeal is fundamentally about the effects on readiness, recruitment, and retention. This certification will hopefully provide us with definitive answers on these concerns.”
Just last month, Army Chief of Staff General George Casey wrote to McKeon and said, “I believe that it is too early to say what the impact on implementation of the repeal of DADT will have on our morale, unit cohesion, good order, discipline, recruiting and retention in the Army.” The certification approved by the committee will provide an open and transparent mechanism for the service chiefs to register their opinion in view of all the facts.
For more information about the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012, please visit the “NDAA Home” at ArmedServices.House.Gov.
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Washington, D.C.—Today the House Armed Services Committee overwhelmingly passed an amendment offered by Rep. Rob Andrews (D-N.J.) that compels the Defense Department to allow General Electric and Rolls Royce to use testing facilities for their Joint Strike Fighter competitive engine program at zero cost to American taxpayers.
The GE-Rolls Royce team recently announced plans to self-fund the F136 engine, mitigating the Pentagon’s concerns about short term costs while preserving the long-term savings associated with breaking up the Pratt & Whitney engine monopoly. Chairman McKeon has lauded this industry-led acquisition reform, both for shifting a significant financial burden from the Pentagon and for promoting free market values through healthy competition.
The amendment “ensures that the [Defense] Secretary, at no cost to the Federal Government, provides support and allows for the use of such property by the contractor under such contract to conduct research, development, testing, and evaluation of the F136, if such activities are self-funded by the contractor.”
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Washington, D.C. — When the Armed Services Committee meets tomorrow to consider the National Defense Authorization Act for 2012, members will have an opportunity to support competition at zero cost to taxpayers. Under a new proposal set out by a GE-Rolls Royce team, the original Defense Department plan for two competing engines for the Joint Strike Fighter would be preserved through Fiscal Year 2011 and 2012 with no financial obligation from the Pentagon.
The self-funding initiative comes at a time when both military and government officials are leaning heavily on the defense industry to meet current fiscal challenges with innovative cost-cutting measures. With GE-Rolls Royce paying out of pocket for a program that is nearing developmental completion, the Pentagon is in a unique position to realize the long term cost savings from engine competition.
As a means of avoiding the hazards of a monopoly over a three decades long program, the Defense Department had originally planned for two engine teams to compete annually for procurement and sustainment funding.
U.S. Rep. Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-Calif.), the Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee applauded the decision:
“For years, we have encouraged the defense industry to come up with innovative reforms that would put the best equipment at the best price in the hands of our troops. Thanks to the GE-Rolls Royce plan, the Pentagon will reap the savings of taxpayer-free competition, the F-35 fighter jet will gain a mission critical redundancy, and the defense industry will have a new standard for self reform. This is a win-win situation for the Pentagon and the taxpayer.”
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May 10 2011
McKeon Legislation Affirms Obama Administration’s Justification to Detain Terrorists
Ensures Deployed Warfighters Are Confident in Legal Authorities for Operations
The provision, included in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012, would affirm that the United States is engaged in an armed conflict with al-Qaeda, the Taliban and associated forces pursuant to the Authorization for Use of Military Force from 2001. Further, it would affirm that the President’s authority pursuant to the Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) includes the authority to detain certain belligerents until the termination of hostilities.
McKeon’s efforts are necessary because of the Administration’s reliance on the original AUMF, which was enacted nearly ten years ago, as its justification to detain individuals captured in the ongoing war against terrorists. This was a change from the Bush Administration which largely relied on its inherent executive authority to detain and try enemy combatants....
May 10 2011
Defense Bill Would Allow Pentagon to Increase TRICARE Prime Fees by $2.50 and $5 per Month for Individuals and Families Respectively
Legislation Blocks Future Department of Defense Efforts to Increase Rates beyond Cost-of-Living Adjustments
Washington, D.C.---The version of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012, which was introduced by Armed Services Committee Chairman Howard P. "Buck" McKeon (R-Calif.) yesterday, would allow the Department of Defense to increase TRICARE fees for working age retirees by “$2.50 a month for individuals and $5 a month for families.” The legislation would cap the Department of Defense’s ability to increase fees in the future though.
An article in the Army Times on May 6th outlined McKeon’s proposal to “set into law a strict formula” that would cap any Department of Defense attempts to increase TRICARE fees “each October by the amount that retired pay increased the previous December.”
The story continued, “That means the Oct. 1, 2012, TRICARE fee increase would equal the cost-of-living adjustment made on Dec. 1, 2011, in military retired pay. If there is no adjustment, as there has not been for the last two years, there would be no TRICARE fee increase.”
Further, the Army Times article points out that the proposal “does exactly what many associations had requested by allowing the modest increases—$2.50 a month for individuals and $5 a month for families—in fiscal 2012, marking the first fee hikes in 16 years, and then preventing retirees from being hit with massive annual increases in the future by making sure the percentage increase is linked to the retirement [cost-of-living adjustment].”
Chairman McKeon’s legislation would also make it clear that:
- “Career members of the uniformed services and their families endure unique and extraordinary demands and make extraordinary sacrifices over the course of a 20- to 30-year career in protecting freedom for all Americans; and
- “Those decades of sacrifice constitute a significant prepaid premium for health care during a career member’s retirement that is over and above what the member pays with money.”
For more information about the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012, please visit the “NDAA Home” at ArmedServices.House.gov.
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Washington, D.C.—When Members of the Armed Services Committee meet to consider the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 on Wednesday, they will have an opportunity to demand a national security risk assessment on the amount of U.S. federal debt owned by the People’s Republic of China.
The comprehensive legislation would direct the Director of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to determine and make publicly available the amount of accrued interest on United States Federal debt paid to the People’s Republic of China during the preceding five years.
Further, the legislation would require the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Director of National Intelligence, to carry out an assessment of the national security risks posed to the United States and United States allies as a result of the Federal debt liabilities owed to China and the amount of interest determined to have been paid by the United States to China.
U.S. Rep. Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-Calif.), the Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, pointed to comments by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen when making comments about the provision:
“Admiral Mullen was right to warn that America’s debt is a national security concern that must be addressed. This year’s annual defense authorization bill will help Congress truly understand how much leverage China might have over the United States because of our debt, as well as the national security implications associated with the federal government’s out-of-control spending.”
For more information about Chairman McKeon’s mark of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012, please visit here.
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May 09 2011
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 Strengthens the Nation's Terrorist Detention and Prosecution Policies
McKeon Upholds Congressional Ban on Importing Terrorist Detainees into the United States
“Nearly 10 years after 9/11 and passage of the original authorization to use military force, this year's defense authorization bill reaffirms our commitment to prioritize intelligence-collection and bring to justice the terrorists and violent extremists who seek to do us harm. Let’s make one thing clear, though—this bill does not expand the war effort. Instead, the legislation better aligns the old legal authorities used to detain and prosecute those intent on attacking America with the threats our country faces today. Our legislation seeks to do this in a manner that is consistent with the interpretation of those authorities by U.S. courts and the current and past Administrations," said McKeon.
The Armed Services Committee Chairman continued, "President Obama deserves credit for pressing against al-Qaeda terrorists, including the operation that killed bin Laden. This success highlights the continued need to take the fight to the enemy until they no longer pose a grave threat to the United States. Congress has a responsibility to ensure the President and his Administration have the necessary tools at their disposal to hold these terrorists accountable."...
Apr 28 2011
Armed Services Committee Releases Schedule for National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012
Washington, D.C.—U.S. Rep. Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-Calif.), the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, today released the markup schedule for the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2012. The NDAA authorizes budget authority for the Department of Defense and the national security programs within the Department of Energy. The legislation ensures that our troops at home and deployed in Afghanistan, Iraq and around the world are given the resources they need. The comprehensive legislative will also provide the families of our nation’s military personnel with the resources and support they need, deserve and have earned.
“The National Defense Authorization Act will invest in the capabilities and force structure needed to protect our country from current and future threats at a time of increasing hostility worldwide,” McKeon said. “The National Defense Authorization Act will drive efficiency and transparency within the Department of Defense by mandating fiscal responsibility, accountability, and transparency. We will take steps to incentivize competition at the Department of Defense and within the military services to give the American taxpayers the best return on their investments,” McKeon said.
The Armed Services Committee markup schedule follows:
Wednesday, May 4, 2011.
- Subcommittee on Military Personnel (10:30 a.m. in 2212 Rayburn). The subcommittee will mark up H.R. 1540, which authorizes appropriations for Fiscal Year 2012 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for Fiscal Year 2012, and for other purposes.
- Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities (12:00 p.m. in 2118 Rayburn). The subcommittee will mark up H.R. 1540, which authorizes appropriations for Fiscal Year 2012 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for Fiscal Year 2012, and for other purposes.
- Subcommittee on Strategic Forces (1:30 p.m. in 2212 Rayburn). The subcommittee will mark up H.R. 1540, which authorizes appropriations for Fiscal Year 2012 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for Fiscal Year 2012, and for other purposes.
- Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces (3:30 p.m. in 2118 Rayburn). The subcommittee will mark up H.R. 1540, which authorizes appropriations for Fiscal Year 2012 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for Fiscal Year 2012, and for other purposes.
Thursday, May 5, 2011.
- Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces (10:30 a.m. in 2212 Rayburn). The subcommittee will mark up H.R. 1540, which authorizes appropriations for Fiscal Year 2012 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for Fiscal Year 2012, and for other purposes.
- Subcommittee on Readiness (12:00 p.m. in 2118 Rayburn). The subcommittee will mark up H.R. 1540, which authorizes appropriations for Fiscal Year 2012 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for Fiscal Year 2012, and for other purposes.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011.
- Full Committee (10:00 a.m. in 2118 Rayburn). The committee will mark up H.R. 1540, which authorizes appropriations for Fiscal Year 2012 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for Fiscal Year 2012, and for other purposes.
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Washington, D.C.---As a courtesy to the Department of Defense, Armed Services Committee Chairman Buck McKeon (R-Calif.) and Ranking Member Adam Smith (D-Wash.) yesterday introduced the “By Request” version of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012.
The bill, numbered H.R. 1540, includes many of the legislative proposals offered by the Department of Defense for consideration by Congress.
The introduction of H.R. 1540 allows the public to view the Department of Defense’s legislative proposals and provides the Armed Services Committee with a legislative vehicle to consider and markup.
Fully consistent with Armed Services Committee practice under Republican and Democratic leadership, the committee will strike all of the provisions after the enacting clause and insert the Chairman’s mark when it considers the legislation in May.
For more information about the process being used to amend the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012, please visit here.
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Members of the House Armed Services Committee today heard testimony on national security priorities from Members of Congress who do not serve on the Armed Services Committee.
Today's hearing was designed to add transparency to the process used by the committee to craft the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012. Unlike years past, the committee will not accept legislative proposals for inclusion in the annual defense authorization bill from Members who do not serve on the committee.
This new process was unveiled by Chariman McKeon last month.
Members scheduled to testify included:
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The Honorable Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, FL
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The Honorable Randy Neugebauer, TX
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The Honorable Stevan Pearce, NM
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The Honorable Jeff Duncan, SC
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The Honorable Health Shuler, NC
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The Honorable Rick Berg, ND
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The Honorable André Carson, IN
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The Honorable Jack Kingston, GA
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The Honorable James P. Moran, VA
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The Honorable Mike Pompeo, KS
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The Honorable Peter Welch, VT
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The Honorable Adam Kinzinger, IL
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The Honorable John R. Carter, TX
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The Honorable Eric A. “Rick” Crawford, AR
- The Honorable Donna Edwards, MD
For more information about legislative proposals, please visit here.
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