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Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 2397, the Fiscal Year 2014 Department of Defense Appropriations Bill.

This bill provides more than $512 billion in base funding for our national security and military efforts, and $85.8 billion in "Overseas Contingency Operations" war funding. This is a base funding decrease of $5.1 billion below the fiscal year 2013 enacted level, but is approximately $28.1 billion above the current level caused by automatic sequestration spending cuts.

This total reflects an appropriate, thorough analysis of what is needed to keep this country safe. Freedom isn't free; our liberties, our rights, and our property are preserved by our national defense – but at a cost.

Sufficient funding for the Pentagon and our military is of the utmost importance to the continued prosperity of the United States of America. It is, and should be, our top priority.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I yield myself 5 minutes to discuss the fiscal year 2014 Defense Appropriations bill.

The bill includes base funding of $512.5 billion for the Department of Defense, which is $3.4 billion below the CBO estimate of the President's request, and approximately $28.1 billion above the estimated fiscal year 2013 sequestration level. For Overseas Contingency Operations, the bill includes $85.8 billion, which is $1.5 billion below last year's level.

We have worked closely with all interested parties to produce a good, bi-partisan bill. And despite the reduction in our base allocation, we were able to accomplish much. For example, the bill adds: