opposed? passes. next one is the stabenow amendment. >> thank you, mr. chairman. we are still working issues on that particular one i would has to move to the end of the? on medicare. >> so far the parliamentarian. >> i understand they're still working through some issues. if we don't do it here, will start they do it on the floor. >> we are striking a section as well. second amendment. >> moving to the next one we appoint the board are of course in the budget resolution on anything that would add to the deficit. we see when it comes to the group you are the affordable care act, there is not a point of order added to that which is allowed under that. in fact the affordable care act reduces the deficit according to

the cbo. it is very clear that repealing the affordable care act will actually increase the deficit and it is acknowledged in here by accepting a point of order on anything that increases the deficit as a result of the affordable care act. we need honesty and budgeting. if this budget repeals the affordable care act all the services for 16.4 million men and women children who receive health care for the first time maybe other and we know that repealing miss will increase the deficit and we need to be honest about it. this would strike the exception and continue a point of order as we do for every other part of the budget. >> i think this will prohibit getting even some efficient use. i would ask or a no vote. i assume a roll call vote is

desired. clerk will call the roll. [roll call] [roll call] [roll call] [roll call] [roll call] mr. chairman, the yeas are: 10 the nays are: 12. >> humanities fail.

>> thank you mr. chairman. since 2010, 47 municipalities have declared bankruptcy. estimates of underfunded and unfunded liability in the state and local pensions is approaching $5 trillion. this amendment simply would prohibit the use of federal funds for bailing out state of local governments to a very necessary signal that hard-working american taxpayers from other states should not be asked to bail out those states and localities. >> opposition quiet >> i think nobody is particularly interested or anxious to bail out anybody. i think this is overly prescriptive. we don't know what may happen anyplace south. i would urge a no vote. >> i suspect a roll call is

required. [roll call] [roll call] [roll call] [roll call] mr. chairman the yeas are: 15 the nays are: sat in. >> the amount is approved. -- the amendment is approved. >> senator warner. >> mr. chairman, this is the

absurd -- to leave it basically says let's kick and urge a little bit. i commend senator sanders and though many have done to actually engage with more law schools around the country to create better and mock clinics to help these lawsuits process claims. does it cost the taxpayers dime. helps a lot how at around and needs to be a little more engaged and been promoted. i urge a voice spoke. >> any opposition quiet others in favor say aye. opposed? amendment accepted. next is the chaotic amendment on energy. -- the ayotte amendment on energy.

>> i have very important provisions on data signature reserve fund on energy efficiency on providing assistance to those who are low income which is very important especially with the winter we've had in new hampshire for those most in need and also federal support for the land and water conservation on. this fund will allow you to broadly look at energy efficiency and how we deal with making sure we have a strong energy, but also protect our environment. >> opposition? i sense a voice spoke. all those in favor say aye. opposed? past. next is senator baldwin. >> thank you, mr. chairman. this amendment would restore point of order eliminated in the chairman remark against reconciler geisha and legislation that would increase the deficit or reduce the surplus.

i want to yield to senator white house to the balance of my time. >> this may be the most important deficit fighting that we would take today and i support another baldwin as cosponsor. >> without objection. all this does is take this back to 2008 and the way the committee ran. i would ask for it -- a no vote on this. please call the roll on the committee. [roll call] [roll call] [roll call]

[roll call] >> mr. chairman, the yeas are: 10, the nays are: 12. >> senator portman job training. >> mr. chairman, this is the amendment earlier that would create a reserve fund for redundancy and improve access and enhance outcomes with federal job training programs. we talked about the studies to show we have 47 over nine different departments and agencies in many have not been subject to any performance review. 44 of the 47 have been viewed by overlapping one another. we hope it gets both sides on a voice vote. senator changed and i join on this one as we did with the technical education piece to ensure we have were forced to close the current skills gap we have and put people back to work.

>> opposition? all those in favor say aye. opposed? past. senator merkley career take education. senator merck leave. >> thank you mr. chairman. this is the corollary to the education of the stand program deficit mutual fund. stem programs are incredibly positive ingredient in the school process to advance the learning of science technology engineering and mathematics in potential to do more good by enhancing programs. i hope we follow the model of having a voice vote as they did on the cte component earlier. >> it is my understanding you amended this. this has been amended? >> this is an amended because it covered stand etd, but cte was

addressed by senator kane's proposal. the career technical education have been struck on page two so it just addresses stem programs. >> any opposition? ready to vote. all those in favor say aye. opposed? that is past. remember if anybody wants a recorded vote on a voice though, they can have that. senator sessions asked to be recorded as no on the last vote. next is senator kane's amendment. >> thank you, mr. chairman. is a data signature reserve fund to help the deity with ongoing initiatives to help to infrastructure and improvements to avoid the effects of climate

change. this is their import in my state because if you have arrived its import in other states because of drought shortages and water supply. it's not only good for the days and national defense but will potential to help communities avoid backgrounds that there could be infrastructure improvements that mitigate climate effects. >> mr. chairman, it is than 10 years since we've had a category three hurricane hit the united states, which is perhaps the longest in the 900 years. colorado university said tornadoes are down 10 hurricanes are down to a rather significant degree. any predictions we have seen of alarmist results of climate change have not occurred. i just think we shouldn't be ratifying or passing legislation based on damages that might occur from climate change until we see those damages.

i would oppose the amendment because if the sea level is rising we need money will have to spend it. if it doesn't, we don't. >> briefly, mr. chair. these are not active damages. the flightiness ardea current on bases throughout the hampton roads area. >> a recorded vote. please call the committee. [roll call] [roll call] [roll call]

[roll call] >> mr. chairman, how am i recorded? i've vote aye. [inaudible conversations] >> are there any others who wish to change their vote? >> mr. chairman the yeas are the nays are: seven. >> that is past. senator graham on defense. >> thank you, mr. chairman. this amendment plus is that the overseas contingency operations account a 38 billion to mirror

what the house had done is offset and the argument made before it was in 2015 mr. manically wears that it was in 2011. what senator murray said about sequestration is true. it is effecting the f. e. i. cia a lot of programs affected but none more than the military and leon panetta in 2011. if you pull the sequestration trigger is the nation would it be like shooting yourself in the foot? he said no, it would be like shooting yourself in the head. i've never seen more threats, more safe havens in the more terrorist organizations, more money more capability, more desire to hit the homeland than i do now. this amendment is a step to try and stop that. >> opposition? >> chairman, this country went to war in iraq and afghanistan under president bush, but we

didn't pay for that war. those wars will cost us between three and $6 trillion. my republican colleagues tell us my god we've got to cut social security medicaid medicare education, needs of the state because of a large dataset. what this amendment does is use his budget imagery to add another $38 billion to the deficit. senator graham wants our money that is a fair point of view. let's argue it out. but don't go through the process of budget gimmickry add more money to the deficit without a serious debate that we need. i fear very much the passage of this amendment lays the groundwork for another war to be unpaid and i think that is a very, very bad idea. >> sensing the need for a roll call vote.

[laughter] [roll call] [roll call] [roll call] [roll call] >> the yeas are: 12 the nays are: 10. >> the amendment is passed. >> thank you, mr. chairman. if you voted no on that amendment committee should be voting yes on mine. all my amendment does is attempt to save hard in the event the additional funding occurs as

money is spent that it does not permit they become part of the baseline. in the absence of my amendment, there is an increased likelihood we have a $380 billion increase non-offset in my object is not to prevent the increase the rather insurer ensure it is thought that was nondefense spending. what my bill does -- what my amendment as is any funds allocated for oco in 2017 about the original none of the budget for 20 sixteenths and inflation would be subject to a point of order. it is a tool to diminish the risk this becomes a permanent part of the baseline. >> opposition? >> people can vote as they want but this is clearly an amendment trying to undo the embarrassment of the past amendment for all of our deficit with another $38 billion. i personally will vote no. >> the clerk will pull the

committee. [roll call] [roll call] [roll call] >> mr. chairman the yeas are: 12, the nays are: 10. >> the amendment is adopted. senator wyden. >> colleagues chairman enzi you are recognizing the medicaid amendment. is that right or ask colleagues

for me muscat at some length before. some of the most vulnerable people and societies the older people who depend on long-term care facilities. 60% of nursing home residents eventually get to medicaid and we have long had a talk about a fresh approach in long-term care policy. i've been particularly interested and private savings from long-term care given the number of seniors that are moving past a.d. at this point. there is a pretty good bet that a lot of them are going to need medicaid assistance to cover long-term care. so my hope is this amendment will pass. i want to make it clear to colleagues the ranking democrat on the finance committee and they're interested in bipartisan approaches. with medicaid and medicare, but this particular feature of the

budget really puts at risk older people, families grandparents and i hope we will reject it. >> the senate budget improves medicaid based on the cheap model which has been successful in bipartisan. our budget doesn't oppose the policies in the reserve fund and more importantly the finance committee will be responsible for writing legislation to improve a decade and i know the ranking member will have a major part in that. >> i would only say in paris for battle, i don't know how you get those, that level of medicaid savings without cutting medicaid long-term care service. i just don't know how to do it. maybe other people have some way to proceed. i don't how to do it. >> i asked for a no vote so we have flexibility. other times expired. the clerk will hold the

committee. [roll call] [roll call] [roll call] >> the yeas are: 10 the nays are: 12. >> the amendment is defeated. senator crapo's amendment. >> mr. chairman, this is the amendment to terminate operation chokepoint. this is a program by the department of justice and financial regulators to identify favor businesses in the united states, totally legal businesses, but disfavored by them and try to deprive them of

access to financing in our financial system. one of the industries identified as the second amendment industry. firearms and ammunition industry. there are others. once they got caught with this company said we we will eliminate our list of bad act yours and now they say don't make us stop doing this operation because we can't stop. the fact is they could always stop fraud before and they can stop fraud in the future. we don't need to allow this operation to continue. >> opposition? >> two high-profile examples about the operation is done. one is against payday lenders using on my numbers and breaking state laws and violating payday loan contracts. second is the situation in california where credit cards are given out over the phone to secure bank numbers in the money was stolen out of customers accounts. in one case in north carolina we are talking $2 billion in stolen out of customer accounts. electronic transactions are wrong and we need a unit

injustice to go after this predatory act to be. >> mr. chairman i remind everybody of those being regulated, banks and credit unions said. they said senator crapo's amendment would in no way inhibit the enforcement of anti-fraud. >> may have the same of the rebuttal? i have offered a friendly counter to say shut down any operation related to going after legitimate activities by legitimate commerce said the effort to go against true predators would continue. that has been turned down here that is what we both agree should be done. >> a clerk will call the committee. >> could i be added as a cosponsor to the amendment? >> without objection. [roll call] [roll call]

[roll call] >> the yeas are: 13 the nays are: nine. >> the amendment has been passed. next is senator white house on disaster funding. >> mr. chairman, this is the climate change related deficit neutral reserve fund rather like senator kane that we just voted not instead of military bases the systema disaster money and i barty described it so i won't burden everybody signed further. i hope this can get strong support. >> mr. chairman, has amendment says may include problems or disasters caused by human

induced climate change. it doesn't limit to that. i want to object and we can do it by voice vote. i would note again according to the expert testimony, droughts are not up floods are not up hurricanes are down substantially. tornadoes are down. so we are looking forward to more evidence that will calm out from the environmental protection agency. >> the clerk will call the community. [roll call] >> does the other side except a voice vote? >> all those in favor aye. opposed? if anybody wants a recorded let clerk know. >> it has been adopted.

>> senator johnson. >> thank you mr. chairman. this amendment again is to provide information. we worked with senators start it now to require transparent reporting from the ongoing cost and savings to taxpayers of the affordable care act. i has to be approved by voice vote. >> opposition? all those in favor say aye ko. opposed? it is passed. next is the warner amendment. [inaudible] >> sounds great. >> any opposition? all those in favor say aye. those opposed? that has been passed. next is the ayotte amendment. >> i just wanted -- this is a

deficit neutral reserve funds to address heroin. i would like to have senator baldwin is a cosponsor and also senator johnson as well and also senator to me and also senator warner and anyone else who would like to be added including senator king. senator merkley, senator sessions. [laughter] i'm going to safely ask for a voice vote. >> advocate a recorded vote? >> all those in favor say aye. that is passed. >> this is an amendment that simply requires the congressional budget office to publish historic data in a projection of 10 years for tax expenditures for senator portman and senator warner as cosponsors yet i hope we can do this by voice vote. >> opposition? all those in favor say aye.

opposed? that is passed. senator sessions. medicare double counting. >> a cbo has said that those conventions of accounting may suggest otherwise taking money by cutting social security cover medicare expansion and spending that on a different program cannot be counted twice and that is what we did in the ppaca passage. it's been done before on other circumstances. this is one of the reasons we get into the long-term unfunded liability situation that we are in today. if you'd like to know how it happened, it got more money for medicare when they cut medicare expansion, medicare loaned the money to the united dates treasury. the government barred it. >> opposition?

>> as the overall federal budget medicare savings in health reform both extend the life of the hot dog insurance trust fund and reduce the federal budget deficit. the analogy i would make is looking down this long table. we have a room full of that fleet and this is no different than hitting a basket scoring a goal or a touchdown. it would add to your team score and you also improve your personal average. batting average, basketball percentage, what have you. neither situation involves double counting. i mentioned earlier this has been done by both sides of the i/o and i think we should reject this amendment. >> mr. chairman. >> all the time has expired do we want a roll call vote?

called the committee. [roll call] [roll call] [roll call] ..

it isn't this for everybody to offer those unless they have a burning desire. after they're offered and debated we'll hold a soars of votes. >> mr. chairman. >> ten on the democrats' side, one 0 our side. >> i want to comment first. we have been going back and forth on this question of an amendment to make sure we're protecting medicare from cuts which is very important to do, and we're going to keep working and see -- i'm not sure what the resistance is to going on record to make sure we protect medicare. we'll work with the parliamentarian and we'll offer

it on the floor. >> we may as well start with your side. >> all right. i've not had much luck on bipartisan support so i'm going going to try again. i hope maybe the better on this one. mr. chairman this amendment would create a deficit neutral reserve fund to fully audit the department of defense and the outrageous cost overruns and crackdown on the massive amounts of fraud perpetrated by defense contractors. is everybody in this room knows we spend approximately $600 billion a year on the defense department, and yet the dod is the only major agency of government not to come forward with an audit. in 2001, interestingly, one day before 9/11 secretary of

defense don rumsfeld said that the pentagon could not account for some $2.3 trillion in transactions. and yet 14 years later the pentagon is still not audit ready. further, mr. chairman, according to a recent gao analysis, the pentagon's $1.4 trillion acquisition portfolio suffers from over $457 billion in cost growth which are costs overruns above original contract aror estimates. what everybody in this room knows is on military systems, weapon system after weapons system there are huge cost overruns. furthermore, there has been a lot of fraud associated with the defense contracting industry. frankly, virtually every major defense contractor in this country has paid hundreds of millions of dollars in fines and

related settlements for fraud and misconduct over the past 20 years. so where we are right now is we have the largest agency of the federal government the dod 600 billion bucks, huge cost overruins, unable to audit this very complicated agency. i think it's time for an audit and i would ask bipartisan support for this amendment. >> there are actually audits being done, and this amendment is in line with the initiatives laid out by the bipartisan views and estimates letter from the senate armed services committee. so all agencies, including one the size of dod need to be committed to greater efficiency and reform. one thing i did getting ready for the budget was to get a copy of the -- one of the later versions of how federal budgeting is supposed to happen, and i think we have some things to clean up in our own yard as well. i haven't seen the kind of

financial statements that the government said they're putting out. so we've got a lot of room to make some improvements in this area. senator ayotte. >> i'd like to be add as cosponsor of legislation to do this in the last three congresses. i commend the center from vermont for off iring it. thank you. >> without objection. >> i want to be add as cosponsor, too. >> senator grassley. >> let me also add my name as a cosponsor. we have held hearings on this and it's amazing to me the defense department won't undergo an audit going through a process to show they are qualified to do an odd kit. i just said do the audit. walmart is $400 billion large and go through an audit every year. this is a good amendment and you struck your tone of bipartisanship. >> senators. >> the next amendment on your side. >> senator murray. >> mr. chairman have two amendment is want to offer. the first one is on cleanup for the work at handford site in

central washington. i worked very hard to make sure the federal government meets its moral and legal obligations to clean up handford and several other states. the department of energy has the responsibility to hold up the legacy responses of our federal governments. these sites are a result of more than 50 years of nuclear weaponry research development and production from the manhattan project to world war ii. i applaud the administration for increasing the fy16 budget request to 5.8 billion, but it is 200 million less than last year's budget request and still 43 million below what congress appropriated in fy15 omnibus. now, funding is going to be cut at nine of the 16 nuclear waste cleanup sites. i have been crystal clear with my expectation the federal government meet its while stone at nuclear cleanup sites in the country, and the avid under both democratic and republican controlled that failed to meet the threshold. this is great importance to me

as well as other senators who have nuclear waste cleanup sites in their backyards. eight fidgeting-for-this funding so our sites get the critical work done and i urge the adoption of this amendment. >> opposition. >> who has the next amendment. >> i have one more my second amendment -- we have been talking about sequester here a lot. the budget process has already didn't moment straighted there remains a very large gulf between the two parties when it comes to economic in and fiscal priorities but it's fair to say that one area of broad bipartisan agreement is the across the board cuts that impact defense and nondefense investments are bad policy and have to be fixed. members of your party and my party have said it. it should be something we should come together to address. now, i've offered one way to do that building on the success of the bipartisan budget act that chairman ryan and i worked out. i'm offering another one that

would allow us to raise the cap for this coming fiscal year equally for defense and nondefense in a way that both sides should find acceptable as the short-term fix. mr. chairman, all we have to do is update your budget to account for the most recent congressional budget office projections and use those savings to increase the caps. that's all there is to this amendment. this budget is based on outdated projects and the most recent projections include an additional $77 billion in revenue over the next ten years. that means that merely using the most updated revenue projections gives us $77 billion of extra savings built into the budget which is more than enough to offset reasonable increases in the caps for defense and nondefense for this -- for fiscal year 2016. would not raise taxes. these numbers are simply what the congressional budget office already expects the tax code to

generate. doesn't increase the get your budget. wouldn't cause procedural problems for either budget year, and most importantly, this solves a very serious budget problem that both parties want to resolve. so while i believe the best approach is over the long term is by working together on a responsible placement to those automatic cuts. i think that we ought to take a stand and not lurch to another crisis this year and adopt this amendment and allow us to move forward to replace sequester for this year. >> unfortunately this increases taxes to allow more spending itch think what we need to do is as soon as we get an approved budget, which i hope is done by april 15th -- >> it's not -- >> that we can begin discussions on the budget control act itself, which is a law, not a resolution. and all we're doing is a resolution here. >> mr. chairman, this does not raise revenue. this is baded on cbo projections. it is based on the baseline. so it doesn't raise any

additional taxes whatsoever. >> mr. chair, question for the patron. mr. chairman i have a question? senator murray i raised this question yesterday and i just want too make sure this the point i was raising yesterday that the budget prepared for this mark was present using january cbo figures but if instead you use march cbo figures then you have both the revenue and expense projects have been updated and that enables you cutover this without any additional increase in taxes. is that correct. >> the senator is absolutely correct. >> this is the more accurate projection. >> the more accurate projection. >> is that over ten years. >> over ten years. >> so you want to spend -- create an expenditure for one year and pay for if it over ten? >> well, it replaces sequestration which i think we all noes problem. we're racing to another government shutdown and a very

bad crisis that impacts our economy and impacts the defense and nondefense. this allows our appropriations committees to start moving forward in a responsible way this year. >> i see page two and it mentions increasing federal revenues. i have hesitation and want to look it's more. the budget baseline wey will be taken into consideration by the time we do conference at the very latest but we'll start debating the budget bill next week. my understanding we'll start at 2:00, and that at 5:30 we'll have our first vote on our first budget amendment. so, we're going to be on this monday. >> great. i ask for a vote on this. >> i just wanted -- does this change the baseline? i think there's $77 billion -- >> cbo made projections in jam they updated it in march. we take the cbo projections from march, and -- current law and

it allows to us have that flexibility for us to be able to allow our appropriations committees, if we adopt it to move forward and sequester is replaced for one fiscal year. takes us out of the bind for today. does not change the deficit level. >> sounds good but -- >> who has the next amendment. >> okay. >> senator stabenow. >> thank you mr. chairman. i move away from health care and talk about another subject. actually does relate to health but relates to cleanups when we have an oil spill. back in 2010 we had a terrible oil spill in michigan the kalamazoo river in fact that cost to clean it up was over a billion dollars and the oil was derived from tar sands. this tar sands is especially difficult to clean up. unfortunately, companies do not pay into the oil spill liability

trust fund for oil derived from from tar sands and so this amendment would subject oil to tar sands to the same oil spill liable fund, taxes as other types of oil and would permanently extend the tax which expires in 2017 so that oil companies would be paying for it rather than taxpayers and home owners property owners and so on. finally, it would make sure that oil companies that -- it would make sure that they could not deduct the cost of punitive damages when there is a judgment -- a settlement against them resulting from an oil spill. right now, taxpayers are subsidizing the cost of actually punishing a company that is acting intentionally or recklessly, and causing an oil spill. so this would set up a deficit neutral reserve fund to equalize

contributions to the oil spill liability trust fund from all oil sources permanently stepped the -- extend the tax and eliminate the tax writeoffs on settlements and judgments, which are totally unfair from a taxpayer standpoint. >> okay. opposition? >> mr. chair, could i add my name to that amendment? >> could i add my name as a cosponsor to that amendment? >> yes. >> senator berkeley would be next. >> are you asking also? >> i believe senator murray and senator baldwin are both asking to be added. >> without 0 sure. >> there's a legitimate argument and concern over the deductibility of punitive dams. i think that's being discussed. maybe in other committees. i'm not able to support the amendment but i think it's worthy of serious discussion.

that part of your amendment. >> any other comments in opposition? if not who has the next amendment? senator baldwin do you have an amendment? >> thank you. mr. chairman, i have two. my final two. i'll try to get it into -- both of them into three minutes. how's that? the first one is baldwin amendment regarding nih and biomedical research. i'm very concerned that budget cuts that are map debted -- mandated by the budget control act and further cuts we have before news the budget resolution mark continue to put biomedical research at risk. a concern i know that many of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle share. these policies are particularly devastating for four nation's young researchers, who are

increasingly discouraged from entering the field altogether and some are actually leaving the country to pursue their research. indeed nih director, dr. collins, cautioned we're putting an entire generation of scientist at risk. so i ask my colleagues to support this amendment to help ensure that our country really remains at the forfront of innovation and biomedical innovation, and by supporting the next generation of innovative researchers. mr. chairman, my second amendment that i'd like to offer is regarding creation of a deficit neutral reserve fund dedicated to investing in american manufacturing. very simply the amendment creates room to continue making investments in our manufacturing sector. whether they be in work, force training research and

development, or public-private partnerships. as many of my colleagues on the committee know i come from state where we are known for making things. in wisconsin, we know that a strong manufacturing economy creates economic security for hard-working middle class families. this amendment seeks to support the powerful engine of innovation, which it's through the manufacturing extension partnership, mep, the national network for manufacturing innovation or some future initiative like the one that senator kuhns and i introduced yesterday along with senator graham and ayotte on designating 25 universities as manufacturing universities. to help schools strengthen their engineering programs and meet the growing demands of the 21st century advanced manufacturing. i would urge the committee to support this amendment and yield back my 23 seconds.

>> well, we could oppose these as being duplicative of what is already in the budget but i won't. other amendments? any other amendment inside -- amendments? >> go for it. >> last call for amendments. >> that concludes amendments. we'll start going through the amendments on voting now. the first one to be the saunders dod audit, and i think there was no opposition to that one so we'll voice vote. all those in favor, say aye. >> aye. >> opposed. >> that one passes. next is the murray amendment on nuclear waste. >> nuclear waste cleanup. senator graham is a cosponsor

and urges a voice vote. >> without objection, all those in favor say aye. >> sai eye posed? passes. [inaudible conversations] >> i would ask unanimous consent that senator murk leis a cosponsor on the amend we just passed. >> i have two more here we can do by voice.

>> i just want to add merkley is a co sponsor. >> without objection. we have the baldwin amendment for mih. any further discussion? all those in favor say aye. >> aye. >> toes opposed in that one is passed. and then baldwin on american manufacturing. any further comments? none. all those in favor say aye. >> aye. >> to the opposed? that one passes. >> mr. chairman? >> we did the nuclear waste one already. yes. >> i had to be out of the room and i'm the lead sponsor of this effort to audit the pentagon. i'm very pleased we're doing it. i would just like to ask unanimous consent to be noted as voting in favor of it.

it that acceptable mr. chairman? >> thank you. >> since it wouldn't change the outcome of the vote, that would be acceptable. okay. blog [inaudible conversations] >> since we weren't able to give any advance warning on what time the vote would be i do have a couple people i'm missing who are in another committee meeting who are hustling back over right now. so i'd ask your indulgence to give them couple of minutes to get here. >> i would ask nance consent, mr. chairman, that when they get here they're allowed to vote if the vote doesn't change the outcome. >> what if it did change the outcome? >> it changes the outcome and we'll have to -- >> i think as a courtesy, since -- >> have we done all the voice

votes, mr. chairman? >> yes. >> can we -- >> we have two votes left and then final vote. >> which amendments are left to vote on? >> your sequester replacement and the oil spill cleanup. >> in spinal passage. >> and final passage, yes. >> for the record i would object to the unanimous request consent. >> which unanimous -- >> the one that senator murray just offed. >> i'm assuming we have three votes left and we'll be done. >> that's correct. >> are you setting a time of 5:10 for us to vote on the final three amendments? people are trying to figure out when they can get flights. >> i hope it doesn't take that long for them to get here. >> can we get clarification from staff so everybody is here? that would be very helpful. >> one is here. [inaudible] conversation

[inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations]

[inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] >> mr. chairman? while we're waiting, could i ask unanimous consent to be add as a cosponsor to senator murray's amendment number 45 on the nuclear waste cleanup? >> without objection. >> mr. chair, while we're waiting could i be added as a patron to senator murray's budget cap amendment? >> patron? >> cosponsor. i'm patron -- >> without objection. >> my next question is what your donation would be. i'm sure she has several levels that you could be a participant.

[inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] >> mere missing one person on each side. when they get here, they should be allowed to record their votes unless there's objection. [inaudible conversations]

>> i'll call on senator murray for her 30 -- excuse me -- her 30 seconds on the sequester. >> i'll take less than that.

this is a budget sequester amendment that take this current cbo projections to allow to us be able to replace sequester for this year. it's responsible and gets us back to a very dangerous point where we could face serious consequences without this amendment. >> i raise the issue that i thought it was an increase in taxes and spending and on page two it says increasing federal revenues. so we will be taking advantage of the baseline changes that are by the time that we get to conference, that would be the normal time for doing that since we just got them. and we'll use the -- so i'd ask that you vote no. call the clerk. >> mr. grassley. >> no. >> mr. sessions. >> host: no. >> mr. c.o. >> snow.

>> mr. graham. [inaudible conversations] >> mr. portman. >> no. >> mr. tomby. >> no. >> mr. johnson. >> no. >> ms. ayotte. >> yes. >> mr. wicker. >> no. >> mr. corker. [inaudible] >> mr. sanders. >> yes. >> mrs. measurery. >> aye. >> mr. widen, jest. >> miss stab no., aye. >> mr. warner -- [inaudible] >> mr. merkley. ms. balled win. mr. cain. mr. king. mr. chairman. >> host: no. >> theist are 10, nays are 12. >> defeated. the next amendment is the stabenow amendment on oil spills. >> thank you mr. chairman. this is a taxpayer amendment to say if you have an oil spill from tar sands, that the oil companies should be paying for that. the cleanup. the oil spill liability trust fund should have those types of

spills covered by companies paying into it. we permanently extend the tax and eliminate tax benefits that apply when there's a settlement or judgment because of oil spills and there's punitive damages, if somebody is found to be reckless, the taxpayers should not pick up the tab. i would ask for a yes vote. >> i would ask for a no vote. this is overly prescriptive and an issue that needs to be deliberated. they blinked in finance committee, and i know that senator wyden has been here to hear the discussion so i'm sure it will be and i don't think it's the intent of anybody to give people a special tax break on fines or penalties. so i'd recommend a no vote. poll the committee. >> mr. grassley. >> no. >> mr. sessions. >> no. >> mr. cropo. >> no. >> mr. graham. >> no. >> mr. port moan.

>> no. >> mr. toomey. >> no. >> mr. johnson. [inaudible] >> my ayotte. >> aye. >> mr. wicker. >> no. >> mr. corker. [inaudible] >> mr. purdue. [inaudible] >> mr. sanders. >> aye. >> miss murray. >> aye. >> mr. wyden ace. >> miss stabenow. >> aye, -- [inaudible] year miss balled win. >> aye. >> mr. cane. mr. king. mr. chairman. >> no. >> mr. chairman, the yeas are 11, the nays are 11. >> dies on a tie. we're now to that final part. i move the cop current resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2016 be reported favorably and i'll call on the clerk to poll the committee. >> mr. grassley. >> aye. >> mr. sessions. >> aye. >> mr. cropo. >> aye. >> mr. graham. >> e. >> mr. portman. >> aye. >> mr. toomey. >> aye. >> mr. johnson. >> aye.

>> mr. ayotte. >> aye. >> mr. wicker. >> aye. >> mr. corker. >> aye use mr. purdue. >> aye. >> mr. sanders, no. >> mrs. murray todd nod. >> mr. widen. >> no. >> miss stabenow. >> no. >> were whitehouse. >> no,. >> mark merkley, no. >> miss ball win. >> no. >> mr. cane understand nod. >> member king. [inaudible] >> mr. chairman, aye. >> the yeas are 12, the nays are 10. >> the resolution passes. and i'd like to thank all the members for their tremendous cooperation getting this done. it is important that if you have any necessary documents to be filed, it has to be done tomorrow in order that the resolution can be brought to the senate floor next week. the deadline for submitting additional or minority views is no later than noon tomorrow. any views muss have a member's signature and we'll begin debate at 2:00 on monday. >> you also need to --

>> ready or not. >> staff can make technical and conforming changes. >> and may add to the chairman's mark of facts and figures to complete the charts. >> can add the numbers for the facts and figures. and complete the charts. >> congratulations. >> well done. >> thank you. >> have to gavel us out. [inaudible conversations] blank blank. [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations]

[inaudible conversations] taking a look at the road to the white house join us tonight for remark biz former maryland governor martin o'malley who has been exploring a run for the democratic nomination. in congress next week we expect both chambers to take up 2016 republican budget plans. the senate should start monday around noon eastern while the house is likely to take it up later in the week. once each chamber has completed work they'll come together to negotiate a single resolution and you can watch the senate live right here on c-span2 and the house live on c-span. >> here some of our featured

programs for this weekend on the c-span networks. on c-span2's become tv, saturday at 10:00 p.m. eastern on afterwards, pulitzer prize winning history union eric to -- the formation of the underground railroad, and sunday night at 10:00, abu dhabi based journalist hassan hassan on the rise and leadership of isis in the middle east. and saturday morning saturdaying at 9:00 eastern, and throughout the day on c-span3, american history tv joins historians and authors at the abraham lincoln symposium live from ford's theater, and sunday evening, at 6:00 visit to the national museum of health and medicine to view items from the civil war collection, including artifacts related to president lincoln's assassination, find our complete television schedule at c-span chance.org and let us know what you think about the programs you're watching, call us at 202-626-3400.

e-mail us at comments@c-span.org, or send us a tweet tweet @c-span hash tag comments. like us on facebook follow us on twitter. >> king an abdul la of jordan addresses the european parliament, he praised europe reside newark responding to the paris attacks and compared isis to naziism saying it's quote an expansionist ideology based on hatred. he called on all muslims to join the fight against terrorism and commenten on the jordanian pilot killed by isis. his comments ran 25 minutes. [applause]

>> translator: ladies and gentlemen. on behalf of the members of the european parliament, very warm welcome to his majesty. this is your fourth visit to the european parliament showing us your trust and confidence and -- with the european parliament and the citizens of the european union. your delegation is very welcome here as well welcome the presidents of both chambers of the jordanian parliament from

the senate and from the chamber of members of parliament. it's particular pleasure that you brought young jordanian students with you to parliament, so a very warm welcome to all of you. [applause] >> translator: on behalf of parliament i repeat my sentiment, we want to pass our deepest sympathy and come miss racing for the death of your pilot with the relatives we

wish them comfort. these were terrible moves, indeed, terrible pictures we saw of the death of this pilot. it is hard to imagine that people could commit such gruesome acts. it was a criminal and barbaric act, carried out by the islamic state, and it fills us with horror. this is against all values that we share. we see people fleeing from the islamic state and from the syrian civil war. a million refugees in jordan now. we are very impressed by the

generosity of the jordanian people. we appreciate the challenges your country is facing. [applause] >> translator: allow me to say to you and your people you have our full support and solidarity in this difficult time. we want to help support jordan on its way to economic reform. you have started the path to reform. you have listened to your people's desire for change. you have taken the side of free tom and human rights in the region.

we have to be aligned against the islamic state. we want the jordanian people to be able to live in dignity and in a secure environment, and you have helped to contribute to this effort to bring security back to the region. your country is the leader now in helping to combat these terror militias who have acted with decisiveness against hate and extremism, and we very much respect that. a difficult time for minorities in all of the region, but jordan is a tolerant country where people can practice their religion in peace and live in

peace together. your participation in the memorial march in paris for the victims of the "charlie hebdo" attacks was a strong signal i think to the whole middle east, a very heartfelt thank you for that. [applause] >> translator: by send ought this message, you have shown once again that jordan is against terrorism and on the side of peace, respect and tolerance. we have had an opportunity to discuss this previously. your unstinting efforts to create a peaceful solution to the israeli-palestinian conflict and that's something we share as well. we want to let ourselves be guided by the values and these standards and these difficult times that we face together.

we recognize our friends when we are in difficult times, and we are proud of jordan and its king and we see them as true friends. so a very warm welcome to here in parliament. you have the floor. [applause] >> translator: mr. president, in the name of god, the masterful the comp passionate mr. president, distinguished members. >> this great institution and i appreciate -- >> translator: this great -- -- allow me to thank the citizens for their warm hospitality.

this city is an important symbol of the passage from war to peace, a symbol of reconciliation and a united europe. [applause] >> my friends, people fight where there is mutual respect. civilization is built on it. futures are better for it. but coexistence must be made and made again in every generation. the common good is dependent only -- defended only by vigilance and action and this means more than security measures. humanity must arm itself with ideas, with justice and with economic and social inclusion. today these challenges have a special importance. our world faces an assault by

terrorists with ruthless ambitions. it is power pursued by ripping countries and communities apart, in sectarian conflicts and inflicting suffering across the world. [applause] >> the -- jordan's pilot outraged all jordanians and horrified the world and jordan's response has been swift, serious and determined. and our fight will continue. [applause] >> we and other arab and muslim states defend not only our people but our faith...

in january we joined millions of people in france who marched united against

violence in the termination. there are those living in europe today number the ravages that struck the comment in the late 1930s. europe's want the world's war. today we are fighting a similar more a war against an expansionist ideology that feeds on hate that is committing murder in the name of god and religion to justify evil actions that no religion tolerates well were war against terrorists who disrespect this man's values and humanities values. now depends on our unity.

vital. only by cooperation can our regions shut down the sources of terror support and defeat the purpose is. it is also essential that our regions renew the source of our great strength. the mutual respect that binds and sustains us. people especially must be inspired by values that reject violence to create piece and build and societies. [applause] and let me suggest three areas of importance. the 1st is meaningful interfaith outreach for engaging people in the dialogue of respect is the backbone of society.

attacking and excluding others, insulting other peoples in their faith and their convictions this is no way forward. the future lies in unity and respect. that division stereotypes. [applause] here is an important partner in this effort. especially and have in have been to stop the global rise of islamic phobia. this poisonous base plays into the hands of these extremists. this is what is important to clarify what it really means to be a muslim. i and countless other muslims have been taught my earliest years 2,000.

the prophet mohammed peace and blessings be upon him said none of you have faith and so you love for your neighbor like you are for yourself. this is what it means to be a muslim. among the very names of god we hear the compassionate the all merciful from all my life every day i have heard and use the greetings. i wish for the other to be blessed with piece. this is what it means to be a muslim. [applause] more than a thousand years ago before the geneva conventions wasn't soldiers were ordered not to kill the child a woman, or an old

person not to destroy a tree, harm a priest to destroy the church. these are the these are the same values of islam we were taught in school was children not to destroy our desecrate a place where god is worshiped not not a mosque, not a church not a synagogue. [applause] this is what it means to be a muslim. these are the values i teach my children command they were handed on to there's. my friends, i am outraged angry by the recent attacks in some countries against christians and minority communities. this is an offense against humanity as well as islam.

arab christians are integral part of our regions past present, and future. [applause] a muslim country with the deeply rooted christian unity. together they make up and indivisible society friends and partners in building a country. the world's muslims have a critical role. our our faith like yours commence mercy, piece, and tolerance. it upholds as yours does the equal human dignity of every person, men and women neighbors and strangers. now, there are parts to deny these truths but are grossly outnumbered.

in. in fact these terrorists are made the world's muslims the greatest target. we will we will not allow them to hijack our faith. [applause] my friends, the 2nd area key to global harmony is an international system that gives all people to respect that they want and deserve. i here the question why does not the world defend palestinian rights back time after time the piece process a stalled. let me say what the situation was like in reality. more israeli settlement building, with respect to the occupied palestinians.

this is a dangerous message andy rose trust. it threatens the pillar of world peace and conflict must be solved by political means to them by force by violence. and it is giving the extremists a powerful rallying cry. they exploit the injustices and the field conflict to build legitimacy and recruit foreign fighters across europe and the world. [applause] it's time to think about the future. how this ongoing conflict will breach further hate violence and terror across the world. how can we fight the ideological battle if we do not chart the way forward toward palestinian israeli piece. our country is united and must provide the momentum

and chart the way forward toward a final comprehensive settlement. [applause] ladies and gentlemen a 3rd critd gentlemen, a 3rd critical effort is creating to hope. radicalization thrives on economic and security and exclusion. to create stakeholders in a peaceful world people opportunities to fulfill their potential and build good lives. helping them is a powerful message. the european parliament has recognized the importance of creating social and economic opportunities in naming 2015 the year of development. for jordan development is a priority. and despite all the regional challenges we have pushed forward to meet urgent needs

to grow jobs to improve the quality of life through continued reforms partnerships such as yours. enjoy values -- [applause] and jordan values are strong partnership with the european union. and we are committed with your support to work together toward more advanced levels of partnership. [applause] despite scarce resources the people of jordan have opened their arms to refugees fleeing regional violence. as the pres. mentioned earlier, jordan has taken and thousands of iraqi christians of the past year. in addition to in addition to giving shelter to 1.4 million syrian refugees

which is 20 percent of the population of the last few years. [applause] this is more than the equivalent of france hosting the entire population about. now the world's third-largest refugee host and i think all of you for helping us to uphold this global responsibility. [applause] our friends your support since a message not only to my people but to all those who seek to move forward and piece in moderation. our regions amount people can find no better partners

and neighbors in each other. history geography, and future binders. but no one separate us because together we can create is a mutual respect and support the common good for generations to come. thank you very much. [applause] [applause] [applause]

[applause] [speaking in native tongue] >> translator: hello. it's a a long time since we have had such a good speech in parliament. a very warm thank you to a very welcome guest. think the applause shows the appreciation. he spoke from the heart. thank you for that wonderful speech. [applause]

>> now isis rears there ugly head, and head, and this army is shaky. you should not be surprised by that. you can't undo decades of soviet and saddam era stuff in eight years, especially when you taught them on a model where they have us advisors and partners with them. afghanistan we currently have about 10,000 troops there in a training and advising role. we will draw down the 5,000 next year at zero the year after that. we will probably see a similar result of what we saw in iraq. that afghan army will be shaky.

>> this sunday retire -- retired army gen. general bolger on the failed us strategy in iraq and afghanistan and will be should have done differently sunday night at it like eastern and pacific on c-span q&a. >> coming up tonight here a look at 2016 budget requests for each of the military branches. in a discussion of recent incidents involving secret service agents. next to the secretaries and chiefs of staff from each of the military branches testify before the house armed services committee under 2016 budget request. they also talk about the impact of sequestration on national security. this runs about three hours.

>> the committee will come to order. today the full community will examine the president's budget request for the armed services of the united states. i am pleased to welcome each of the service secretaries and most of the service chiefs today. on behalf of the committee and the people we represent i want to thank each of you for your service to the nation. since january, this committee has focused on understanding the strategic environment and many of the complex security challenges facing the united states. i i believe in order to fulfill our responsibilities under the constitution to raise and support provided maintain military forces that made the presence needs it has been important for us to spend time understanding the specific challenges staring us in the face today

as well as the longer-term trends and where they are taking us. so over the last two months the committee has had a variety of closed and open classified and unclassified sessions with government and nongovernment as well as foreign leaders. we held the 1st ever committee retreat with a number of distinguished speakers including general dempsey and examined the past present, and future. we we have had sessions on the worldwide threats facing us, this status and trends of islamic extremism, state -based security challenges threats and various geographic regions, the status of conflicts and technological superiority and the pace of change. we have received the recommendations of the compensation and retirement commission, her from outside experts on the budget and i studied ways to improve the

department's acquisition of goods and services. all of that work, i think, puts us in a better position to consider the administration's proposed budget. i'm sure that members are going to have questions on specific programs that were included are left out of the administration's budget. i i strongly believe that the job of the congress under the constitution and of this committee is to exercise and pending judgment on how best to meet the nation's security needs giving a great deal of weight, of course, to the judgment of our military leaders but not being a rubberstamp for any administration. history has proven the wisdom of having a separate branch make independent decisions. whatever the details of the individual programmatic decisions i believe we all need to look at the total resources we developed a defense which is about 15 percent of the federal budget. they also have to consider the consequences if congress approves significantly less spending and the president has asked for.

i would i would say to our distinguished witnesses, especially those in uniform that this is the time to speak plainly. you know the dangers we face around the. you have a damage has already been done by defense budget by one 5th in real terms since 2010 command you know the difficult choices ahead of us even under the president's budget request. finally as i have thank think each of our witnesses for their service plan want to express appreciation to all members of the community on both sides of the aisle. on both sides members have asked -- have done -- have worked hard, asked probing questions trying to find the best answers for the security of the country and the impact of future. as as most of you know ranking member smith is doing health issues and is not able to be with us this week.

ably sitting. a be sitting in his chair is the distinguished lady in california for recognize that this.for any opening statement. >> thank you, and we you, and reduced the quick return that is. mr. chairman, thank you command thank you for acknowledging that this has been a tough year and then we have some severe budget constraints and you're right it is in the purview of the congress to make decisions about where we placed the money. this committee has a very difficult task ahead of. i i want to also thank her witnesses today. it is where we have service chiefs and our secretaries all in one room. thank you so much. today is a hearing for some very constructive discussions about how forward.

i want to acknowledge that is nice to see when the panel. we're thrilled to have you. sequestration i think that that has become such a distraction for the congress certainly i believe we have to look at smarter and more efficient ways in which we can invest and also save. we do not have the capacity as a country to hand anybody, even our military a blank check. i hope that the department, along with the congress will work together to invest in resources that will give us the best value for money. we have to invest in r&d make sure we don't have a

hollow force and ensure that we can be an effective piece of what it takes to protect america and americans. and i hope today's hearing will not only focus on the threat of sequestration but that we will have a discussion about our economic state we can invest and where we must save. again, i think all of you for being before us and forward to having a good a good discussion and i'm glad so many members have shown up to the searing. i also request i also request unanimous consent to place mr. smith and his opening comments in the record. >> without objection so ordered. again, let me welcome our distinguished panel of witnesses. the honorable john mccue. hout objection so ordered. again, let me welcome our distinguished panel of witnesses. the honorable john mccue. chief of staff of the army secretary of the me at rogue

reared have a family issue. ably standing in for him is on the show howard. general joseph dunford commandant of the marine corps to billy james sec. of the air force and a the chief of staff of the air force. thank you for being here. without objection in the only other comment i would make is to questions with this many members and witnesses going to have to be going to get a very abbreviated answer. i appreciate her witnesses as well as our members respecting the gavel. we try to give.

>> mr. chairman, thank you very much. good to be here with all of you. please pass on best wishes on the mr. smith and a speedy recovery. and all of you i would say how much we appreciate the opportunity to be here today and to talk very frankly about the danger that lies ahead this budget not be enacted and sequestration want to return. in short in short it is amazing how much can change in a year. we have seen the geopolitical landscape wharf at an astonishing pace from renewed aggression by russia and increased threats by north korea to gains by radical turn not to mention the fight against ebola. your army is managed to tackle contingencies around the world even though they have grown at an alarming rate.

far from being foreseeable, requirements of the more unexpected, enemies were unpredictable, and our ability to handle multiple simultaneous operations more uncertain. it with instability around the america's army is faced with an enemy at home the return of sequestration ladies and gentlemen our army gentlemen our army your army faces a dark and dangerous future is the congress act now to end his ill-conceived and inflexible budget cuts. moreover i we will be clear, every installation, component command in the avid program will feel the brunt of these cuts. under sequestration by 2019 reduced in strength to unconscionable levels likely using another six

bct's and potentially a division headquarters not to mention the impact associated contracts, facilities, and civilian personnel. let me share with you some of the accomplishments of america's army this past year. as russian backed forces rolled in the ukraine and annexed crimea threatening regional stability our soldiers rapidly deployed to eastern europe in a demonstration of us commitment and resolve. latvia and lithuania to poland and estonia soldiers from the 173rd airborne show that america would stand with our allies respond to aggression suffer from the scourge of a bola army acted. elements of several units provided command-and-control, equipment and expertise to support efforts to stop this deadly and destabilized disease. in response in response to

rapid gains your soldiers quickly returned to advise and assist security forces entering the tide on this barbaric group of radical terrorists. the pacific thousands of soldiers and civilians supporting operations to strengthen our partnerships and increase our substantial presence. today the headquarters of nine active armies and to guard the visions are committed to combatant command. some 143,000 soldiers nondeployed at forward stations and are committed including overnight thousand mobilize reservists. moreover, we have done all of this will continuing to transform our formations to make leaner more agile far more lethal. as you know such extraordinary success comes at a price. in the end laboring countless hours to support the in the family waited

patient for all he. multiple deployments and applicable requirements is not change in the face of indiscriminate funding cuts. through all we have and will remain committed to supporting the needs of our warriors with have to increase resilience and improve behavioral health the prevention of sexual assault the protection of victims from retaliation. keep faithful soldiers. rest assured the return of sequestration will directly impact critical installation and family programs. simply put we need the president's budget $126.5 billion request is some $6 billion over the potential sequester level and is specifically designed to preserve our modest gains in readiness over the last year and take care of our soldiers. moreover this request seeks vital reform and helpless

the army and predictable path. modest changes to pay allowances this is an historic moment. i need to stop talking and start acting. wisdom, not words, results not rhetoric. as i said to this committee last year way predictability, politics. we must have certainty at home. i no you agree with what i i am about to say. your soldiers deserve no less. their families deserve no

less. we must have an end to sequestration by and we must have this budget. thank you for all of the amazing support that i no personally each and every one of you provide to our men and women in uniform their families thank you for the work this way committee has done time and time again on behalf and 1.3 new line 1.3 million men and women of america's eyes active guard reservists. thank you mr. chairman. ..

provide presence around the globe, around the clock the nation's first line of defense. presence means we respond faster, we remain on station longer, we carry everything we need with us, and we do whatever missions are assigned by our nation residents leaders, without needing anyone else's permission. we have always known america's success depends on exceptional navy and marine corps. article one of our constitution which you quoted, mr. chairman and is enshrined in this committee room authorizes congress to raise an army when needed but directs it to provide and maintain a navy. from the first six frigates to

our growing fleet of today from tripoli to afghanistan, sailors and marines have proven the founder's wisdom. we deploy in peace just as mach as in war and our role in securing sea lanes has boasted our own and the world's economy. that's why our national defense strategy is clearly focused on the maritime domain, and why investing in maritime assets provides the best value for peace, for prosperity, and for security. and i want to join secretary mchugh in thanking this committee because you, through your actions, have shown it shares the view of a strong defense and a strong navy and marine corps, and thank you for your support for our sailors and our marines and the things they need to get their job done. the presence that our navy and marine corps so uniquely deliver is built on four foundations.

people, platforms, power and partnerships. our sailors and marines are well-known for their ability to exercise independent judgment and the flexibility to face changes circumstances. we remain committed to providing our sailors, our marines and our civilians, with the training and support they need to maintain that naval presence. but our people as good as they are, cannot do their job without platforms. providing presence, being where we're needed, when we're needed requires those platforms. on september 11, 2001 our fleet stood at 316 ships. by 2008 it had declined to 278 ships. our focus on two ground wars only partly explains that decline. the five years before i became secretary, our navy contracted for only 27 ships. not enough to stop the slide in

the size of the fleet. in my first five years we have contracted for 70 ships and have reversed that decline. by the ends of the decade, our fleet will once again be above 300 ships. for the past two years the department of the navy has attempted to minimize the impact of an uncertain budgetary environment, marked by numerous continuing resolutions, imposition of sequester level funding and the threat of the return of sequestration. in this environment, cutting ships is the most damaging and least reversible course of action. i'm committed to prevent are our ship build following the nave are y's watch word, don't give up the ship. fuely the platforms of our navy and marine corps is a vital operational concern and enables our global presence. that's why navy has a long history of energy innovation by

employing al concern at the fuels and being more efficient in fuel usage we're working to bring competition, lessen the incredible volatility in fuel prices and decrease our adversary's ability to use fuel as a weapon. our ability to maintain presence in advance global security will be augmented through partnerships. cooperation makes us more effective. overall, fy16 president's budget balances current reddiness needed to execute the assigned missions of today, or rebuilding our highly capable fleet. but it is the minimum that we must have to do that. today's tough fiscal climate demands our most rigorous examination of every dollar we spend, and we have and will continue to do just that. but we are at the point where we can no longer do more or even

the same with less. with less we will be forced to too less. when americaer is called the navy and marine corps have always answered. in order to ensure that we continue to provide the naval force or nation's leaders and the american people expect, we look forward to answering your questions and to working together with this committee and with congress to maintain our great navy and marine corps. thank you mr. chairman. >> thank you. and now to a former staff member of this committee, we'll take credit for all sorts of you folks, secretary james. >> thank you very much, mr. chairman. congresswoman an chez. it's a pleasure to come before all of you today to come home in effect, where my roots began. also an honor to sit here whiff me colleagues from sister services services and always a pleasure to be with my wingman, general mark welch.

i'd like to tell you the top things i have learned in my 15 months as being the secretary of air force the privilege of my professional lifetime. the first thing i have learned, which was a shock to me, is that today's united states air force is the smallest air force that we have ever had since our inception as a separate service in the year 1947. we have literally been building down our air force for the better part two of decades and today we're the smallest we have ever been in terms of people. secondly, i have learned that our aircraft are the oldest that they have ever been, with an average age of 27 years, but of course average is average and that means quite a few of the fleets are substantially older than that. hoarse the shocking statistic i think. more than half of our combat air forces are not sufficiently ready today for a high-end

fight, moaning a fight where the enemy has the capacity to shoot back at you, to shoot you down to interview five we through air defenses and the like. more than half of our forces are not sufficiently ready for such a fight. we all know budgets are extremely tight and of course i think we also realize that demand for what we do in the united states air force is at an all-time high around the world ask this is the most dangerous and complex and constantly changing world scene than i can ever remember certainly in the 34 years if have been an observer on the scene in defense. now, you're your air force is working very, very hard to meet the combatant commander's most urgent requirements and needs, but i have to join with my colleagues and say that a budgetary trajectory that results in sequestration is not going to allow us to sustain this pace. let me now do my plain speaking. i believe sequestration is going

to place american lives at greater risk, both at home and abroad if we are forced to live with it. in fact if sequestration remains the law of theland, we will not in the united states air force simultaneously be able to defeat an adversary in one part of the world, deny second adversary the objectives they seek in a second part of the world, as well as dvd the homeland. that is our national strategy, and i'm telling you we won't be able to do it under sequestration. mr. chairman, you recently said at aei the problem with sequestration is whether we have the capability to do what the nation needs and the times demand. it's also very much about the increased danger that comes to our people and i couldn't agree with you more. i think you're absolutely correct, and under sequestration the air force cannot guarantee that we'll meet the nation's demands, and our people will definitely be in more danger and i just think this is not

acceptable. something has to give. and we thank you and thank other members of the committee because we know you are pushing hard to try to get sequestration listed permanent -- lifted permanently. please keep it up. as you no rather than living with this level of a budget we are asking for a budget figure in fy16 which is substantially closer to what we need in the united states air force. for us, the additional moneys equate to about 10 billion more in fy16 than what sequestration level funding would provide to the air force. and this $10 billion more would provide both the forces that we need to do the most pressing combatant commander requirements and also allow to us invest better, more appropriately, in our top priorities, which is number one taking care of people and there's an awful lot in this budget related to people about i want to call your attention the number one priority that general welsh and

i have pin point and that is we have to stop this downsizing. we're he smallest we have ever been. i think we have even gone too far and that is why this budget proposes a modest uptick for active duty, national guard and reserve. we want to go up very slightly, and if we are allowed to do so this will alleviate operational strain that we are feeling in a number of areas, to including our nuclear enterprise, the world of cyber and the world of maintenance, particularly across the combat air forces. turning to second priority, which is getting the right balance between our readiness of today and building a modern air force of tomorrow. both general welsh and i consulted very closely as we built our budget not only with the folks at this table but also with our combatant commanders and as a result our budget is going to ramp up support to the most urgent needs that the combatant commanders identified to us, which basically equate to

one thing, isr. isr, isr isr. that's what they tell us they need more air force as the top priority so as a result we have 60 steady isr patrols in the budget, as well as stenning the life of the u2 and the awacs, and we need to support space program, strengthen the nuclear enter surprise, fund flying hours to the maximum executable levels and ensure combat exercises like red and green flag programs remain strong. all of that is the readiness of today and we have to modernize for tomorrow. when it comes to modernization again, we have some decent funding that i want to share with you. the nuclear enterprise is our number one commission we have re-directed substantial resources towards that empty. moreover we have our top three programs which will remain on track, the kc46 tanker the f35, and the long-range strike

bomber, and will also be making important investments in modernization for space, our science and technology budget, as well as other areas. and our third priority mr. chairman, number three goal, is what we call to make every dollar count, and this is because we precisely understand. we get it. that the taxpayer dollar is precious, and we can't afford to waste any of it, and so we are constantly looking for efficiencies and ways to too things differently to free up resources and give back to our people some of their precious time. so, for example, we took an aggressive 20% reduction in our headquarters funding which includes civilians and contractors and redirecting military personnel. we didn't have to do it in one year but we did because we thought it was the right thing to do. we would be able to free up those resources more quickly to plow back into important things we need to do. not only that but over the last the years we have reduced our

service contractor work force by 7 billion so we reduced contractors substantially. and we're going to continue to scrub this as time goes by, both on the contractor work force, civilian work force of the next several years. we also are striving to institute service-wide efficiencies in our acquisition systems, we call it bend the cost curve. trying to keep weapons on track building affordability into new systems right from the beginning. we're driving toward audittability of her books and looking to maximize energy savingsful all of this i would submit falls very much in line with your acquisition reform thrust, mr. chairman and i want you to know we are on it. we are on this line as well. now, there's plenty of tough choices in this budget as well. i don't want to paint an overly rosy picture. we had hard choices to make because we couldn't do everything. for example, we're proposing once again to retire the a-10 fleet gradually over time, and also to slow the growth in

military compensation, and we know these are not popular decisions, mom already choices but would ask you -- popular choices but ask you to keep in mind if you don't like these choices, hold on to your hats because under sequestration it gets uglier and uglier. under sequestration our air force would not only have to retire the a10 and slow the growth in military compensation, but in addition we would be facing the following actions. divest the u2 and the global hawk block 40 and the kc10 fleet. we would have to reduce our combat air patrols our reapers and predators, up to ten orbits. we would defer 14 for 35s would drive up unit costs. we would cancel the adaptive engine program and then have to in some sort of -- not across the board -- equal percentage-wise but in some fashion we would also have to reduce our investments in