the most important is legislation requiring the air force to continue to operate the global block 30 unmanned aerial system, which just reached operational capability in august of 2011. each was procured for more than $100 million. so shelving them when they're almost brand new at a time whn the demand for intelligence has never been higher or more important to us made no sense. it holds the air force to a plan for last year. so mr. chairman, overall, chairman bartlet has developed an excellent proposal for the members to consider. >> before entertaining amendments, is there any discussion on the sub committee's report?

gentleman from ohio, mr. turner is recognized for five minutes. >> i want to thank chairman bartlett for his commitment to the industrial base and for his work with the heavy brigade combat team production lines. the issues of being concern with those lines going cold this will close down production facilities for a period of three to four years. we would lose the intellectual capitol of the people who worked there. and the production capability techniques to take us to the next generation t chairman is protecting that. it will happen to their long term capabilities if the administration's position was allowed to stand. thank you.

>> any other discussion? are there any amendments to the sub committee's report? mr. chairman, i have an amendmen amendment. >> without objection the reading will be dispensed with. >> i just think we're running down the path with this thing. the chair recognizes the gentleman for the purposes of offering and explaining his amendment. >> thank you, mr. chairman. my amendment is the one in the

f-35 that everybody is told you're supposed to vote against. and i want to say at the outset that i'm not against f-35. i'm an engineer by training. i understand it takes time. and i'm not against the builder. i'm concerned about project management which should be the concern of the people on the committee. and also i'm on the budget committee, and i have to try to fight there for the defense budget. and we always hear that there's a lot of waste in the defense budget. i believe we're setting ourselves up for a lot of waste if we don't crack the whip a bit on the program. first, it's the biggest acquisition program in dod history at 1.5 trillion. this is a massive program for us. it's the only program without an ioc date.

that's initial operational capability. has a milestone decision. but it's the only one that has no ioc date. and the problem is, we start building a product and we don't have a final design. that runs the costs through the roof. now this amendment is about transparency. it's about accountability. and it's about project management. now there's two pots of money. the first is the development and the design money. this amendment leaves that completely untouched. the second pot is the procurement dollars. and this freezes half of the procurement dollars until we get an ioc date now the ioc date should have been given to us right after it passed the

milestone "b." but even if we got a date some time this year, this is not going to affect the program at all. all we're doing is saying we want to play for real. if you cut half the procurement money out, that would take effect in march of 2013. so all we're saying is some time in the next year almost we want some type of an ioc date. this also affects other programs because we have fighter short falls. how do you plan what you're going to do when you don't know what the date is. so that's the purpose of the amendment is to simply say we want the pentagon to really let us know. tell us when it is that we really know when we've got -- we know we have a finished product that can be delivered. and i don't really -- it doesn't make a lot of difference to me how people want to approach this thing. we have ourselves one big

project management problem here that's about to zap us if we don't take some type of kreblgtive action. and promises from the pentagon. they could have given us the date any time now. they don't want to tell us when it's going to be. it's time to say wait a minute. we need dpe sent management. we built over 30 aircraft. when is it that we're going to have an ioc date on it? this is just getting the date and getting it before march of next year. and so that's the purpose of this amendment. there chairman, i am aware there might be just a little opposition to the amendment. but on the other hand, we need to deal with project management and take it very seriously. especially on the biggest project that we've ever spent money on. thank you. >> gentleman yields back. for what purpose do you seek recognition? >> i have an amendment to the amendment, if you will. >> will the clerk please pass

out the amendment? without objection, reading of the amendment will be dispensed with. >> the chair now recognizes the gentleman for the purpose of offering and explaining his substitute amendment. >> thank you, mr. chairman vp first of all, let agree with mr. aiken on the challenges presented by the f-35 programs. the enormously expensive program that has slipped repeatedly and had a number of problems and this committee has taken a variety of different steps to

try to get it under control. try to force dod and force the manufacturers to get back on track. it's a hugely problematic program. both because of the struggles that we've had and because it's so important. it's intended to be somewhere over 90% of our fighter attack aircraft fleet at some point. we need this program. i think mr. aiken recognizes that. and the problem with this amendment, by fencing the money and creating the possibility that we will not, in fact, buy half of the f-35s, it sends a message that it is possible that we will not ultimately support the program, and the reason that's a problem is another aspect of this program is we have a number of foreign partners. i'm sure everybody has been reading about the angst about the future of the f-35. we want them to buy it. if they don't, our costs will go up. and if they see us stepping back in this way, there's a distinct risk they'll reduce or delay or

in some cases completely eliminate their buys and cause further problems for the program. so there's considerable risk in that. the second thing worth noting is what's being asked for is the department of defense to set an initial operating capability date. now the department of defense says they intend to set a date by this year. it simply requires them to do that. it's important that we push on it to that extent. to do it to the extent mr. aiken suggests jeopardizes the program. it could drive up cost and further undermine our foreign partner's confidence. and the final thing i'll point out is the f-35 has had initial operating capability dates before. so if we were to force the pentagon to do this, we can set the date.

so we're not actually accomplishing a great deal with the underlying amendment. so this is a simple way of saying, yes, the committee is still very focused on making sure we get to initial operating capability. but hopefully do so in a way that doesn't send the wrong message about the program. we are, for better or worse, committed to the program. we have to keep up the pressure and make sure it gets delivered and keeps the capability. continue to say we need initial operating capability. this eliminating the threat and continues to make clear to get back on schedule. i yield back.

>> i agree with everything that the rank members say. this future will be 95% of our air fighter force. it's important we get it right. is there any further debate on the amendment? >> mr. chairman, yes. i would like to talk about the substitute amendment. >> well the substitute amendment, essentially if you take it at face value, it's saying we're going to get an ioc date not later then 2031. i'm requesting the ioc date by about march. this is, in a sense, more strict. the only trouble is there's no teeth in this one. and there's no guarantee the pentagon will necessarily do

what we say. we've been talking with them on all kinds of things. you can talk to them and say they want a report. the proposal i had is saying by march f they don't have something by march of '13 and this is december of 12, then it's going to cut into their funds. you're saying we really want this. you really shouldn't do this. but there's no real teeth in it. i forget was your phrase was. undermining confidence in the program. we need specific dates so we know how to run the requirements for the different fighter aircraft.

i don't think your amendment will do anything at all. if that's what the committee wants to do, i'll live with that. thank you. >> gentleman yields back. any other discussion on the amendment? if not, the question is on adoption of the substitute amendment. offered by mr. smith. those opposed, no. the ayes it. and the amendment is agreed to. i ask unanimous consent to call up the package of amendments. >> just a second. >> now the question. the question is now on the

adoption of the amendment. if not, the question is now on the adoption of the amendment. as amended. those in favor say aye. those opposed no. the ayes have it. the amendment is agreed to. >> now, mr. chairman i ask unanimous consent to bring up a package worked and approved by the minority side. without objection, the readings of the amendment will be

dispensed. the gentleman is recognized for five minutes after we get the amendment passed out. gentleman is recognized for five minutes. >> thank you. i call up the unblocked package number one, they would amendment improvements to army vehicles to include thermal injury

prevention. an amendment by mr. andrews that would require a report on the consortium. an amendment to authorize a program to develop and flight demonstrate vertical lift platform technologies. an amendment by myself to clarify amendment 214 and this aircraft to apply only to manned systems. and an amendment to eamd the report language regarding the joint tactical radio system. >> any discussion of the amendment? all those in favor, say aye. those opposed, no. the ayes have it. the amendment is agreed to. if there are no further amendments, the chair recognizes

mr. bartlet. >> i move to adopt the sub committee report on tactical and air forces as eamded. >> question to the gentleman from maryland. so many in favor will say aye. those opposed, no. the ayes have it. the motion is agreed to. the committee will now receive the report on the sub committee, pursuant to committee rule 17. we'll postpone all the recorded votes on the amendments in this particular sub committee mark until the end of the sub committee mark. the chair recognizes the je nan from ohio, mr. turner, for my any comments he would like to mak make. >> thank you, mr. chairman. we worked hand in hand with full transparency with the minority at a time when we all open the

newspaper and every day hear the threats of north korea and iran and the increased concern that we all have. our homeland at risk. our bill takes up the issue of the defense of our homeland and also the issues of sustaining a nuclear deterrent and the important aspects of missile defense. the bill authorizes defense nuclear cleanup activities. they direct them to a cost analysis and estimate and program evaluation for nuclear war head life extension programs and new facility construction. until the air force provides a report on the acquisition strategy and certifies the strategy maintains a sured ak says to space. achieves cost savings and provides opportunities for competition. and i want to thank again my

ranking member's support and her past statements on the subject of reform for the security administration. we both agree that needs to happen. there are opportunities for large efficiency savings to place back into the important issue of protecting our national security. i know the administration has been slow in trying to figure out its path forward but the mark is accelerating the process. our effort is to begin and initiate the discussion and dialogue to find real solutions for both savings and maintaining our important infrastructure. the national academy and others have found they are quite simply broken and we cannot afford to leave it unfixed. the agency responsible for receiving the credibility and liability are not able to accurately tell us what it will cost to do that. such as the w-76 budget request this year. something is horribly awrite. the last time congress took up the subject on the leadership of the representative, it was fully

bipartisan. i know we worked very, very hard on this issue. we all need to recognize alone this bill will not solve all the problems, but is going to take leadership within the administration in capitol hill. we believe this mark is certainly a start. i want to thank the gentle lady from california. >> the chair now recognizes the ranking member of the sub committe committee. >> thank you, mr. chairman. i would like thoonk mr. turner and all the sub committee leaders in the new session of the congress. it's a pleasure to work with all of you. especially in such a bipartisan naner. over all, i am pleased to support this strnlic force's mark. i would like to comment briefly on the importance of protecting national security in a

constrained budget environment. the bipartisan view on the national nuclear security administration programs, particularly in light of the ratification of the new start treaty and missile defense. first i would like to note this contains important provisions that advance national security. while also promoting fiscal responsibility. such as improving satellite operations and supporting the air force's space acquisition strategy by supporting a block by fixed price contracting approach. by ensuring efficient development, production and sustainment schedule for missile defense and for the nuclear enterprise. by conducting oversight of large scale production programs and building on good progress related to improving efficiencies at our nuclear sights. and implementing the new start productions. secondly, they recommend full funding for nnsa atomic energy

defense programs, reflecting our bipartisanship that let all the members of the strategic forces sub committee to sign a letter to the budget committee chairman in march emphasizing the national security importance of supporting nuclear, nonproliferation efforts as well as maintaining a reliable, safe and effective nuclear deterrent. the mark also supports full funding for continuing much needed progress on nuclear environmental cleanup in washington and other contaminated sites. third, we agree on the need for effective and proven missile defenses based on operational testing to defend our homeland. our deployed troops and our allies against missile threats. but make no mistake of it. we do have our policy disagreements. we disagree on the need for $100 million of funding increase over

the budget request for ground base mid course defense. tvg a pleasure to work with all the members of the sub committee. >> gentle lady yields back. is there any discussion on the sub committee report.

they put in $40 million to meet the final obligation. the president didn't see it that way and put it in his budget. i want to thank you for not including the $400 million in the bill. they estimate we've already spent $3.2 million on something we're not going to buy. and because of the understanding, we need to proceed with this or continue this program. but that memorandum is understanding with germany and italy includes an escape clause amendment that allows them to withdraw if congress does not authorize or appropriate the program, which we're doing so. we have a system we need to

continue to advance. the department of defense needs to focus and modernize the system, which we will be utilizing and in service until 2040. i want to thank the chairmen for making sure we did not include that in this year's bill. mr. turner is recognized. >> i ask unanimous consent to call up annen blocked package of amendments worked and approved. >> without objection, will he pass out the amendments to be offered without objection reading of the amendments will be dispensed with.

gentleman is recognized for five minutes for the purpose of offering and explaining his unblocked amendments. >> thank you, mr. chairman. the package is comprised of the following. an amendment regarding changes to the directive report lang raj. an amendment regarding title nine. an amendment to amend section 3119. four amendments by myself. a second to amend section 1234. the fourth regarding title nine. an amendment by mr. larson regarding title ten.

an amendment by mr. brooks regarding an amendment to the directive report language. >> mr. chairman? >> gentle lady from california. >> mr. turner, i would like a clarification on the purpose of amendment 138 on exports of missile technology. the amendment deals with a report and their exports of technology relate to missiles and space technologies.

>> so let me just clarify, it's a compliance report. >> thank you very much. i would also like to thank the chairman for working with me on a $27 million increase for nuclear nonproliferation efforts to secure global initiatives to reduce the risk of nuclear terrorism. this brings this program back to fiscal year 12 levels. i'm pleased to offer the amendment i'm grateful you ut it on the on block. and i yield back. >> any other discussion? >> mr. chairman? mr. chairman? >> gentleman from arizona. mr. frank is recognized for five minutes. >> thank you, mr. chairman. just briefly. i noticed in the unblock amendment that there didn't seem to be the space interceptor

language we were told was in the on block. for clarification, if i could yield to mr. turner to give me perspective on that. >> mr. franks, that's the second unblocked package. >> oh, that's the second one. forgive me. never mind. >> any other discussion? gentleman from new jersey. yes. i would like to thank you and the the chairman for some help with an issue that i want to engage on mr. turner, i would like to be thank you for including language in the sub committee mark that provides quit call oversight of the joint space operation mission center program. i think it's important that the fighter meet the