Defense

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 5856, the Fiscal Year 2013 Defense Appropriations Bill.

This essential bill provides more than $519 billion dollars in critical resources for a strong national defense, supporting our warfighters and protecting the American people. This is an increase of $1.1 billion over last year and more than $3 billion more than the President's request. This is also more than $8 billion over what the Senate Democrats would like to provide.

This nation – with all the opportunities it provides and the rights it grants – would not be the bastion of freedom it is without the greatest defense system in the world. Freedom isn't free. As we continue to face threats to our safety and way of life, we must deal with the costs of war, keep our military at the ready, and stay constantly vigilant.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Before us today is the Subcommittee recommendation for the fiscal year 2013 Department of Defense budget. This recommendation includes base funding of $519.2 billion, which is $3.1 billion above the CBO estimate of the President's request, and overseas contingency operations funding of $88.5 billion, the same as the request.

This allocation provided the Subcommittee with the resources to address shortfalls contained in the budget request. We examined these shortfalls very closely during the Subcommittee's multiple hearings and briefings the past few months – especially the risks associated with Navy shipbuilding and Air Force force structure decisions. Let me take just a moment on each of these.

Thank you, Chairman Young and Mr. Dicks, for your remarks and your laudable leadership on this Committee. You both, as well as our dedicated staffs, have helped craft an excellent bill that provides the necessary resources to keep our country safe and that will advance our important missions around the globe.

I'd like to take this time to express my gratitude to Mr. Dicks for being an excellent partner and leader over the years. His involvement and expertise has been a tremendous asset to the Committee, and we look forward to working with him for as long as he graces us with his presence. The same goes for Jerry Lewis, who has been both a member and a chairman of this subcommittee for many years. It won't be the same without them.

I would like to thank Chairman Young and Mr. Dicks for their remarks as well as their continued leadership involving important issues facing the Department of Defense. Mr. Dicks, we will greatly miss your leadership and expertise in this subcommittee as you leave us for greener pastures next year. In addition, I would like to commend the committee staff on their hard work and tireless efforts. I am pleased that this bill is a result of a bipartisan effort.