dear mr. president, the american legion is concerned about reports you might seek an amendment in congress which would end the military's don't ask, don't tell policy, which amendment will be before us shortly this evening. as the nation's largest wartime veterans oh,, we feel strongly that the current policy has served the u.s. military well for 17 years, and it would not be wise to make a major cultural change in the middle of two wars and with tension rising on the korean peninsula. moreover, the department of defense has already directed a study on the policy and it would be premature to act before the mmission conducting the study releases its finding. it defies logic. and i would like to, madam chairwoman, put that letter in the record. the chair: without objection, so ordered. mr. mckeon: from the national military family association. the letter says the national

military family association has long been an advocate for improving the quality of life of our military family members who have sacrificed greatly in support of our nation, while our association does not have a position on the don't ask, don't tell policy, we are pleased that secretary gates has appointed a working group charged to look at the true views and attitudes of our service members and their families if that policy is repealed. we believinclusion of service members and their families and the process is imperative, and that the review process must be allowed to run its course. our association agrees with secretary gates, with admiral mullen that the department of defense must be allowed prior to any legislative action, the opportunity to complete the assessment of the impact of such a policy change, and most importantly, develop an atntive, comprehensive implementation plan. our service members and their families deserve no le.

i would like to have that record also included -- the letter included in the record. the chair: the gentleman's request will be covered by general lee. mr. mckeon: and i reserve the balance of my time. the chair: the gentleman from missouri is recognized. mr. skelton: i yield two minutes for my friend, the the gentleman from mississippi, mr. childers. the chair: the gentleman from mississippi is recognized for two minutes. mr. childers: i want to thank him for bringing this important legislation to the floor and for allowing know introduce this amendment. the uncertainty of whether or not a company will be awarded a military contract as well as the period of time to fulfill a contract means that many times contractors are stuck in a cycle of ramping up and ramping down employment and consequently hiring, laying off, and rehiring emoyees. my amendment addresses this issue, and the production of the various types of end routes our soldiers use for transportation and protection from i.e.d.'s in

afghanistan. the first district of mississippi calls itself home to naval star defense, which produces the end route. last year, was forced to lay off hundreds of employees when one of its contracts ended. more recently, naval star was award another contract requiring them to rehire 800 employees in order to meet the production deadlines put in place by the military. majority of these employees will be laid off again in october when the come tract is completed. my amendment ensures that the depent of defense begins to look at ways that we can meet our military needs while at the same time make contracting decisions that save taxpayer money and keep skilled workers employed for sustainable amounts of time. i urge my colleagues to pass this amendment. and i i yield ba the balance of my time. the chair: the gentleman yields back. the gentleman from california is recognized. mr. mckeon: may i inquire again of the time remaining? the chair: the geneman from has 7 1/2 minutes remaining. mr. mckeon: madam chairwoman, i

yield one minute to the gentleman from, mr. connolly. the chair: the gentleman from virginia is recognized for one minute. mr. connolly: i want to thank you, mr. chairman, for the management of this bill. i appreciate the bipartisan leadership committee has provide on these issues. let me also thank you for working with the house of foreign affairs committee, which requires the secretary of defense to establish monitoring evaluation metrics for activities, specifically the combined joint task force. among other things, this tas force partners with the navy to conduct maritime security operations to protect shipping routes in the gu of asia near somalia, the arabian sea, and the red ocean. it does not use any form of metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of its activities. the task fort is not currently evaluating whether it's achieving the desired results. i thank the chairman and the ranking member for their support of the amendment and urge its

adoption. i yield back. the chair: the chair would lik to remind those who are in the chamber to keep their conversions down to a minimum. the chair had a difficult time hearing the last speaker. the gentleman from missouri is recognized. mr. skelton: madam chair, i yield one minute to the gentleman from maryland, mr. hoyer. the chair: the gentleman from maryland is recognized. mr. hoyer: i thank the chairman for yielding. i want to thank the chairman, who is one of the giants on behalf of national security, military defense quality of life for our troops, who, for decades, has been one of the outstanding spokespersons for making sure that we had the defense we needed and that our

troops had the equipment, the resources, the quality of life that we would expect to have our young people have. so i congratulate him. i thank mr. mckeon as well for his cooperative spirit in bringing th bill to the floor. democrats in congress have worked closely with president obama to fight our enemies, promote our interest for troops and families. compiling a record of securing our nation in stronger and smarter ways. we strengthen america's military by putting new and better weapons into the battlefield. like more aerial drones. we've killed or ured much of the top leadership of al qaeda and the taliban, and for the first time, there is a clear plan for a way forward in afghanistan, which, frankly, was negligented for years under the previous administration. democrats often in face of republican oppion ha increased funding for human

intelligence collection, cyber security, and security for our skies, our ports, and our borders. all of this was necessary and appropriate. but looking out for our troops, our veterans, and our families. again, i say there is no member of this body and almost every member indeed of this body on both sides of the aisle has worked together to maintain the quality of life for our troops and give them the resources they need. none more so than chairman skelton, however. democrats are making sure that our troops get the body armour and mine resistant vehicles they need when they are on the field and the opportunity for a colle education they deserve when they return home. that's good for them and it's good for our country. today's defense authorization bill builds on that record, authorizing crucial national security programs for fiscal year 2011. it promotes efforts to disrupt and destroy terrorist networks and strengthens the ability of

our special forces to act directly against terrorist organizations. it increases our international cooperation against terrorists, especially against the taliban in afghanistan and pakistan at the same time, it also insists on accountability, acquiring semiannual reports from the administration on the status of the taliban and the capacity of the afghan government and security forces. that accountability is important and necessary. because the threats we face have changed in a post cold war world, this bill also strongly supports ballistic missile defense and nuclear counterproliferation. including the president's effort to secure all of the world's known nuclear material in the next four years. the conference the president convened here in whington was an extraordinary step forward in that effort. further, this bill invests in

the well-being of our troops and the strength of our armed forces. it keeps tricare strong and ensures that the military families can keep their children on tricare policies up to the age of 26. just as all americans can do under the health reform law that we passed. it also reduces strain on our forces by providing for 7,000 more personnel for the army, and 500 for the air force, while helping all of the services rebuild the equipment an weapons systems that have been severely worn down by two wars. maybe because there's an agreement on that, we haven't talked about it very much. finally the bill strengthens our military by providing for a process, to repeal a discriminatory provision. now, i want my friends to listen to this. and they're not going to be happy with me. i am 70 years of age.

i was in college in the late 1950's and early 1960's. now, bill clinton was in college in the late 1960's. his generation of americans were motivated by the vietnam war. one way or the other. now, frankly, i was a member of the state senatand supported that effort in the state senate. but in the late 1950's and early 1960's, the motivating force for young people in this country was civil rights. it was about living out the promise of american equaly. it was about a commitment of this country, which was the bedrock of this country, that all men were created equal, and endowed not by us, but by their creator with certain unalienable rights. i want to tell my friends, i have some rhetoric here that was used in 1940, 1941, 1945, 1946,

when there were some americans you didn't have to ask. they didn't have to tell. because you knew they were african-americans. there was no hiding that. and we segregated them. and i heard strom thurman stand the floor of the senate -- he was a democrat -- speaking about discriminating against people because of the color of their skin. separate by equal. i've heard the same rhetoric. let me read some of it. the army is the wrong place for social experiments. keep african-americans in their place. i was angered in the 1950's and 1960's when i saw that kind of rhetoric, because i thought that was not the america that i was so proud of. hear that language that was used

back in 1948. and read the transcripts today. in 1965, i was -- excuse me, in 1990, the sponsor of the americans with disabilities act. there was an amendment offered that said people with aids could not be waiters and waitresses. why? because people wouldn't co into restaurants if they knew that somebody with aids was serving them. of course, all the scientists and medical personnel said there was no way to transmit aids by handling plates or food. and i pulled out some rhetoric. interesting enough,ing from 19 -- from 1965, when the public considerations law was considered on this floor, and guess what they said. they said if we have african-american waiters and waitresses, people won't come

into our restaurants. that's why we don't have african-american waiters and african-american restaurants. that was not the america for which i stand. strom thurman, however, said, and other democrats -- now, he didn't stay a democrat, as all of you know, throughout his career. said no, wel keep people separate. and because you're driving down route 1 fr new york to florida and you stop and you're a little girl, ask when howard johnson comes by, can i have an ice cream cone, you say to your littlehild, i'm sorry, you can't go in there. you're the wrong color. can't stay at that hotel. now in their era, they thought they were being good americans,

i presume. and there were filibusters after filibusters to stop treating people as -- to start treating people as people, with their god-given inalienable rights. ladies and gentlemen, look to your hearts and your conscience. look at the debates of 1948. is there one of us --s there one of us that would say general powell as chairman of the joint chiefs of staffs undermined the morale and the effectiveness of the united states army? is there one of us? i'll yield to anybody who wants to say that he undermined the morale of our services. no one? no one? this is not a social experiment. any more than that was a social experiment. any more than in 1990 when we wanted to deal with those with

disabilities. it was a social experiment. it was the bedrock of what america is. now, i think it's unfortunate we've spent so much time on this issue. almost every speaker. i talked about the beginning of my talk about the substance of this bill, fighting terrorists, keeping america safe, making sure that we have t strongest armed forces in the world bar none, that technically they are able to confront any enemy, anywhere, any time, because we owe that to the american public, to keep them safe. that is what we're committed to, a strong defense. . barry goldwater said i want to

make sure they shoot straight. he wanted their commitment to this country and service. he saw them as patriots. i don't want anyone barring me. i don't care who they are. hear me? and i don't want any male member ofthe armed forces barring any female member of the armed forces. why? because that's against the law and against morality. but i tell you, my friends, this bill is about our national security. this bill is about people who perform their service to our country. this bill is about making sure that america is safe. this bill is about making sure that we defeat teorism and keep america safe. let's focus on that. let's not be distcted. let's focus on protecting

america, defeating terrorists and taking care of our troops. i yield back the balance of my time. the chair: the gentleman from california is recognized. mr. mckeon: might i inquire how much time i have remaining? the chair: 6 2 minutes. mr. mckeon: i yield myself such time as i may consume. thchair: the gentleman is recognized. mr. mckeon: the majority leader always has a lot to say and he always says it very well. and that is a very eloquent speech. because we are members of congress we can come to the floor and express our opinion. i'm asking that the members of the armed services have the same opportunity before we have this vote tonight on the murphy amendment. and e reference was made to general powell. and i wasn't on the committee at

the time but when don't ask, don't tell was instituted, he was a strong proponent. and he also mentioned that he didn't compare, didn't believe the comparison held up between the blacks having civil rights and the don't ask, don't tell. so while i think that your comments were very, very well spoken and i think all of us should have that opportunity to have that great debate, i think we should follow theprocess that has been established where the secretary appoints this study. they make the study and then after the study is presented to us in decemberafter the military has a chance -- i will be happy to yield as soon as i make my comments -- that after the study is released, that we llow the process. i don't know why we're so afraid to stick with the policy, to listen to the members of the

armed services, to give them the opportunity that they have. i have letters from each of the chairmen and members of the joint chiefs saying we owe it t them. we should not break faith with them. they went out in good faith after the secretary set that policy. and now, we are short circuiting it. i would be happy to yield to the majority leader. mr. hoyer: i agree with my friend and i talked to bob gates today and i talked to him two weeks ago about this issue. i was concerned about issue and shared his view that we ought to solicit the views of how and why we ought to proceed. that is why i worked to make sure that this amendment, which was the exact same amendment that was adopted in the senate armed services committee today did provide for the chairman of the joint chiefs, mike mullens who has made his comments pretty

clear. secretary gates and the president of the united states have to certify that they -- that the processes are in place. i understand the difference in opinion here is that and is sympathetic with your view. mr. mckeon: reclaiming my time. because here's what's actually going to happen. and as i talked to the chiefs on the phone, one of them said very clearly, i know how this works around this here and know how the amendment was written, we take the vote tonht and we follow through the process, but it becomes a sham, because the headline, as he said would be don't ask, don't tell, don't ask don't tell is repealed. and it's already on the headline. i just saw the news alert, senate votes to repeal don't ask, don't tell. he said i understand that. but those troops in afghanistan,

when they see it, when they hear it, they're going to see it's repealed. why are you asking me my opinion? it's done. it's done deal. we may understand that by law it will follow through this process. in reality, it will be set tonight. and that's why we should have had more than 10 minutes, five minutes on our side, to discuss is. all we were given is five minutes. anthat's why we have had to take time. this bill -- we could have spent time talking about all the wonderful things in this bill and yet we had to talk because this thing is going to have more impact on our military and on our country -- you smile, mr. leader and if you feel that, why don't we just follow the process. and i would be happy to yield. mr. hoyer: i smile only because

that rhetoric was the same rhetoric that was used in 1946. mr. mckeon: i have not read that. and i'm not quoting from that same rhetoric. mr. hoyer: i'm not saying that you are quoting. mr. mckeon: and collin powell said it's not the same. in fact -- i thank my friend here. this is mr. powell's quote. skin color is a benign, nonbehavioral characteric. sexual ownertation is perhaps the most profound of human behavioral characterics. comparing the two is a convenient but invalid argument. mr. powell's argument. mr. hoyer: i didn't quote mr. powell. i referred to him. mr. mckeon: i reserve. the chair: the chair wou like to remind members on both sides of the aisle, you probably don't

realize it, but your small conversations are accumulating into a loud roar in the chamber. everybody deserves to be heard. th gentleman from missouri is recognized. mr. skelton: madam chairwoman, i yield one minute to my colleague, the gentleman from illinois. the chair: the ntleman from illinois is recognized for one minute. >> mr. chaman, i rise in support of an amendment to optimize the technological posture of our armed forces, but i am also the son of a civil rights lawyer who wrote a lot of the enforcement language behind the civil rights act of 196and i'm proud to serve with our majority leader and the representative from pennsylvania. i rise in support of an amendment which would direct the secretary of defense to commission an independent study assessing the optimal balance of manned versus unmanned aircraft

and whether our military can defend against a force of unmanned vehicles. we need to ask questions and take the long view matters. in iraq and afghanistan we have seen how it has revolutionized warfare and without risking a single american life. the number of unmanned aircraft used by the department of defense increased from 167 to over 6,000. this year, for the first time in histy, the air force trained more than u.a.v. pilots than traditional fighter pilots. this amendment will optimize the balance between manned and unmanned aircraft and i urge its support. i yield back. the chair: the gentleman's time has expired. both sides have one minute remaing. the gentleman from california. mr. mckeon: how much time?

the chair: one minute. mr. mckeon: he gets unlimited time. the chair: the gentleman from california is recognized. mr. mckeon: yield 30 seconds to the army colonel -- colonel in the reserve, mr. buyerrom indiana. the chair: mr. buyer is recognized for 30 seconds. mr. buyer: i thank ike skelton and we should not be changing this policy. it is clear that homosexuali is incompatible. the purpose of the military, we incull indicate men and women with values and those values are extremely important. there are some trying to make the argument that tolerance requires a moral aquiffalensy.

if that is to say that sodomy, should be repealed from the military justice -- the chair: the gentleman's time has expired. the gentlewoman from pennsylvania is recognized. the chair: the gentleman from illinois is recognized. mr. foster: i was explaining this year for the first time in history, the air force trained more u.a.v. pilots than traditional pilots. the fleet has expanded and we have maintained and continue to build a large force of conventional manned aircraft. this study will help congress understand the most effective balance between the two for a range of operations and helpus

determine the feasibility and desire built for these operations. this study will force the department of defense and congress to confront the fact that the united states is not the only nation capable of building these very lethal technologies. if the future depends on technology will the united states be able to defend against attacks of enemies. it's my hope this study will help congress prioritize for the future and adopt the most effective mix of manned and unmanned aircraft. i urge colleagues to support this amendment and i thank mr. skelton for bringing this legislation to the floor. the chair: the gentleman from california is recognized. mr. mckeon: i yield to the the gentleman from texas, mr. gohmert the balance of our time. the chair: the gentleman from

texas is recognized for 30 seconds. mr. gohmert: i was shocked to hear the majority leader bring up the americans with disability act. it was a wonderful thing that this congress did in making all areas accessible to those with disability, but to bring it up in this debate next brings the question, will this majority not stop meddling with the military and next do we expect an extension of the a.d.a. so the military will be required to put those who are disabled on the front lines? it is time to stop meddling and let the military do the job for which they are assigned and for what they volunteered. put the military in charge. i yield back. the chair: the gentleman's time has expired. the question is on the amendments en bloc offered by the gentleman from missouri. those in favor say aye. those

opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair the ayes have it. the en bloc amendments are agreed to. now it's in order to consider amendment number 79, printed in house report 111-498. for what purpose does the gentleman from pennsylvania seek recognition snr mr. murphy: i have an amendment at the desk,umber 79. the chair: the clerk will designate the amdment. the clerk: amendment number 79 printed in house report 111-498 offered by mr. murphy of pennsylvania. the chair: pursuant to house resolution 1404, the gentleman from pennsylvania, mr. murphy, and a member in opposition, will each control five minutes. the chair recognizes the gentleman from pennsylvania. mr. murphy: mr. speaker, i yield

such time as i may consume. the chair: the gentleman from pennsylvania. mr. murphy: mr. speaker, when i servein baghdad, my teams did not care whether a fellow sold year was straight or gay. if they could fire their assault rifle or run a convoy down ambush alley and do their job so everyone would come home safely. with our military fighting two wars, why on earth would we tell over 13,500 abled bodied americans that their services are not needed? this policy hurts our national security and has cost the american taxpayer over $1.3 billion already on this unjust policy. our troops deserve a congress that puts their safety and our collective national security over rigid and a close-minded

ideology. i urge my colleagues to support this amendment and support the brave men and women willing to take a bullet for our families. i reserve the balance of my time. . the chair: the gentleman reserves. any member seek time in opposition? >> madam chair, i rise in seeking the time in opposition. the chair: for what purpose does the gentleman from missouri arise? mr. mckeon: mad dack chair? the chair: the gentleman from california is recognized for five minutes. mr. mckeon: thank you, madam chair. i wish to yield one minute to the distinguished chairman of the armed services committee. before doing that, i ask unanimous consent that the time for debate on amendment number 79 offered by the gentleman from pennsylvania, mr. murphy, be extended by 30 minutes, evenly divided between opponent and

proponent. the chair: is there objection to the request? >> i object. the chair: objection. mr. mckeon: in that case -- the chair: the gentleman from california is recognized for one minute. mr. mckeon: i yield one minute to the distinguished chairman of the committee, mr. skelton. the chair: the gentleman from missouri is recognized for one minute. mr. skelton: madam chairman, the bill for us is an excellent piece of legislation. it's one of the best that our committee has written. it's strong on our attempt to quall terrorism. it takes care of the troops. it looks after their families. on this issue before us, inquiry was made of secretary gates and the joint chiefs of staff chairman, in a letter dated

april 30 states, there have i strongly oppose any legislation that seeks to change this policy prior to the completion of this vital assessment process. further, i hope congress will not do so as it would send a very damaging message to our men and women in uniform that, in essence, their views, concerns, and prospectives do not matter on an issue with such a direct impact and consequence for them and their families. i oppose the amendment. the chair: t gentleman from pennsylvania is recognized. >> i yield 30 seconds to the leader on this issue, mr. matheson of utah. the chair: the gentleman from utah is recognized for 30 seconds. >> if anyone is willing to put on this country's uniform and put his or her life on the line to protect our freedoms deserves our respect and should not be subject to discrimination. repealing this flawed policy is

the important way for us to show that respect. i urge my colleagues to support this amendment. i yield back my time. the chair: the gentleman from california is recognized. purpose the gentleman will suspend? >> parliamentary inquiry. the chair: the gentleman will state his inquiry. >> could the chair tell me if it might be in order for the te to be extended on th very, very important matter before the house, at least equal to the time that might be taken by the speaker of the house? the chair: with the unanimous request to extend the time, and it was defeated. the gentleman from california is recognized. >> ma'am, may i ask unanimous consent then that the time be extended equal so that the time that the speaker may claim to speak on her side of this issue might be allotted to the minority? >> objection. the chair: can the gentleman

state a specific amount of time? >> i wish we could. we don't know. i just think five minutes per side is not sufficient on a matter this important before the house, and i think -- the chair: the gentleman will restate his snams consent request. >> i ask unanimous consent that the time on thismendment be extended by 15 minutes per side. the chair: is there objection to the request? >> i object. the chair: there's objection. >> madam speaker? the chair: for what purpose does the gentleman from massachusetts state it? >> do the record of the house contain the length of the time of the speech made by the minority leader of the health care bill under a one-minute recognition? the chair: the chair cannot serve his historian. the gentleman from california is recognized. mr. mckeon: parliamentary

inquiry. the chair: the gentleman from california will state his parliamentary inquiry. mr. mckeon: is it proper for the gentleman who this amendment belongs to to object to debate on his own amendment? the chair: any member may object. >> even to their own, which they should want to object? the chair: the gentleman from california is recognized. mr. mckeon: madam chairwoman, may i yield five seconds to the sponsor of the amendment to say why you don't want it discussed fully? the chair: the gentleman may yield. mr. mckeon: the gentleman doesn't wish to respond. the chair: the gentleman from california is recognized. mr. mckeon: i yield myself as much time as i may consume. the chair: the gentleman from california is recognized. mr. mckeon: next monday is memorial day.

americans will pause in many ways and in many places to honor and celebrate the courage, sacrifices, and patrtism of those who have seed and are serving this nation in the armed forces. the hill newspaper carried a special insert entitled "a tribute to the troops." among their contributors were mrs. michelle obama and dr. joe biden. they co-authored a piece emphasizing that, and i quote, it's our sacred obligations as americans to take care of the men, women, and families who protect and serve this country. i could not agree more with them. we do have a sacred obligation to those who care to serve. that is why the today i rise in strong opposition to the amendment being offered by representative murphy that would have congress act to repeal don't ask, don't tell, even before the comprehensive review directed by the secretary of defense icompleted, and even

before congress has received the comprehensive views of those who will be most directlyffected by any change in the law. they have unhesitatingly and lflessly responded in a magnificent manner, without hesitation, putting mission and nation ahead of self and family. now the oponents of repealing don't ask, don't tell want to rush a vote to the floor, disrupting the process that was put in place earlier this year to get input from those people most affected by this decision. after making the continus sacrifice of ghting two wars over the course of eight years, the men and women of our military deserve to be heard. congress acting first is the equivalent of turning to our men and women in uniform and their families and saying, your opinions don't count. i've read into the record letters from the secretary, the chairman of each of the services, asking us to not do

this. don't disrespect the military. give them the opportunity to have their input. the secretary also sent us a letter, and his letter said, i believe in thstrongest possible terms that the department must, prior to any legislative action, be allowed the opportunity to conduct a thorough objective and systematic assessment of the impact of such a policy change. a critical element of this effort is the need to systematically engage our forces, their families, and the broader military community throughout this process. our military must be afforded the opportunity to inform us of their concerns, insights, and suggestions in order to carry out this change successfully. therefore, i strong oppose any legislation that seeks to change this policy prior to the completion of this vital assessment process.

further, i hope congress will not do so as it would send a very damaging message to our men and women in uniform, that in essence, their views, concerns, and perspectives do not matter on an issue with such direct impact and consequence for them and their families. now, i know that this amendment and those proponents will say, well, we're going to take this vote, but we wll still follow the process. we will have a survey. but you all know -- i mean, you have to know that when the surveyers go out into the field, they're already going to have heard on the news as was already reported on fox news tonight, the senate repealed don't ask, don't tell. so how are ey given an opportunity to -- i mean, this is a sham. it is a total sham from here forward if this amendment passes tonight. you have the chairman of the committee, a man who's devoted years of his life to our young men and women in uniform, and

it's t an easy thing for him, but he stands up to say no on this amendment. i join him in saying no on this amendment. most of the members of the committee, if we had had a chance to bring this up in committee where it should have been, it wouldn't be here tonight. i yield back the balance of my time. the chair: the gentleman from pennsylvania is recognized. >>r. speaker, i yield 30 seconds to the chairwoman on the house armed services committee, mrs. davis from california. the chair: the gentleman from california is recognized for 30 seconds. mrs. davis: madam speaker, we are listening to our troops and military leaders. i held two hearings on this hearing. this process was set to understand how to implement reform, not whether it shoul happen. that is contained in the amendment. don't ask, don't tell weakens our national security by asking

rvice members to lie, firing them for being gay, and telling able recruits we don't want you. please, america can do better. vote yes. the chair: the gentleman from pennsylvania is recognized. for what purpose does the gentleman from mississippi arise? mr. skelton: -- >> i request unanimous consent -- in opposition to this amendment. the chair: without objection. the gentleman from pennsylvania is recognized. >> i yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from michigan, a freshman congressman and former lieutenant commander, mr. peters. the chair: the gentleman is recognized for 30 seconds. mr. peters: i strongly support

representative murphy's amendment. we must allow our military to recruit and retain any qualified patriotic and courageous american who wants to rve our country. during my service in the united states navy reserve, i served with many dedicated men and women who were always ready to serve their country any time and anywhere. i was never concerned about their sexual orientation, just their ability to serve the united states honorably. i urge passage of the murphy amendment. the chair: the gentleman from pennsylvania is recognized. >> i yield 30 seconds to the gentlewoman from minnesota, the highest ranking enlisted soldier , tim walls. the chair: the gentleman from minnesota is recognized. >> the greatest privilege of my life is serving this nation for almost 35 years in uniform. i know how important it is to

fill our service with motivated volunteers. we are blessed in this nation. that's exactly what we have. it's time for us to honor their professionalism and know that they're ready to end this discriminatory practice. it allows for the study of implementation. we do this all the time in the military. took us six months, you change from hats to ber rays. the process will be orderly. it will be right down the line the way it needs to be, and at the end of the deparke -- day, don't question their ability to do it. the chair: for what purpose does the gentleman from illinois arise? the gentleman must state his unanimous request. >> as a 20-year army veteran, i don't wear it on my sleeve. i support ranking member mckeon and chairman skelton. this is devastating to the war fighters and the combat infantryman. i yield back my time.

the chair: the chair would remind people that members may seek unanimous request, but it is not for debate. the gentleman from pennsylvania is recognized. >> it's my privilege to yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from georgia, my mentor on civil rights, the freedom writer and great civil rights leader, mr. john lewis. the chair: the gentleman from georgia is recoized for 30 seconds. . mr. lewis: just like the military helped end segregation based on race, we should have put an end to don't ask, don't tell long ago. it is an afront to human dignity and to the dignity to every men and women serving in our military.

we cannot wait. we cannot be patient. we must end discrimination in the military and we must end it now. discrimination is wrong and we must end it. the chair: the gentleman from pennsylvania is recognized. mr. murphy: i reserve the chair: the gentleman reserves. the gentleman has the only time remaining. the gentleman from pennsylvania is recognized. mr. murphy: i reserve the balance of my time. do we have any time? how much time. the chair: gentleman has 1 1/2 minutes. i mr. murphy: i yield myself the balance of my time -- i yield the speaker one minute -- 30 seconds. the chair: the speaker of the house is recognized for one minute. the speaker: i thank the gentleman for yielding and for his leadership and service to our country.

mr. speaker, this weekend on memorial day, america will come together to honor all who have served our nation in uniform and those brave americans have no better friend than our chairman of the armed services committee, mr. skelton. today by repealing the don't ask, don't tell policy, we honor the service and sacrifice of all who dedicated their lives of protecting the american people. we honor the values of our nation and we close the door on fundamental unfairness. under don't ask, don't tell, more than 13,000 men and women have been discharged from the military. thousands more have decided not to re-enlist. fighter pilots, infantry officers, arabic translators and other specialists have been discharged at a time when our nation is engage nd two wars. that is why i support repealing

don't ask, don't tell and that support has come from all over the country. nearly eight out of 10 americans want to end this era of discrimination. the current chairman of the joint chiefs said it is my personal belief that allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly would be the right thing to do. we have in place a policy that forces young men and women who lie about who they are in order to defend their fellow citizens. for personally, it comes down to integrity. theirs as individuals and theirs as institutions. chairman powell has said now thinks this real stricttive policy should be repealed. and in a letter to congress, 51 generals called for repeal of this policy saying they had dedicated our lives to the

rights of our citizens to believe whatever they wish. passing this amendment today respects the time line of the pentagon's implementation study group. the repeal would take place only after the study group completes its work in december, 2010 and after the president, the joint chiefs of staff and the secretary of defense all certify that repeal will not hurt military readiness or unite cohesion. no one in this body would jeopardize our national security. america has always been the land of the free and the home of the brave and the men and women in uniform make it so. they have been willing to fight for our country. let us honor their service by committing tohe values they fight for on the battlefield. i urge my colleagues to vote for the repeal of this discriminatory policy of don't

ask, don't tell and make america more american. thank you. the chair: the gentleman from pennsylvania has 30 seconds remaining. mr. murphy: i yield myself the balance of my time. the chair: the gentleman from pennsylvania. mr. murphy: former air force sergeant david hall was walking in this gallery and he mentioned to me, he said, sergeant hall wasn't asked and he didn't tell. he was kicked out of the air force. he already served in the middle east. he said to me, and i quote, i assure you, i'm still fit for military duty. stop discharging patriotic americans who just want to serve the country that they love. mr. speaker, i urge my colleagues to support this amendment and i yield back the balance of my time. the chair: the gentleman's time has expired. all time has expired. the question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from pennsylvania. those in favor say aye.

those opposed, no.. in the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it. the amendment is agreed to. the gentleman from california. mr. mckeon: on that, i demand the yeas and nays. recorded vote. the chair: does the ntleman ask for a recorded vote? pursuant to clause 6, rule 18, further proceedings on the amdment offered by the gentleman from pennsylvania will be ptponed. the chair: pursuant to clause 6 of rule 18, proceedings will now resume on those amendments printed in house report 111-498

on which further proceedings were postponed in the following order. amendment number 82 by mr. inslee of washington. amendment number 21 by mr. gute year ezz of illinois. amendment number 42 by ms. eshoo of california. amendment number 80 by ms. pingree of maine. amendment number 79 by mr. murphy of pennsylvania and amendment number 47 by mr. sarbanes of maryland. except for amendments numbered 80 and 79, the chair will reduce to five minutes the time for any electronic vote after the fst vote in this series. the unfinished business is the request for a recorded vote on amendment number 82 printed in house report 111-498 by the gentleman from washington, mr. inslee, on which further

proceedings were postponed and on which the yaste prevailed by voice vote. the clerk will redesignate the amendmen the clerk: amendment number 82 printed in house report 111-498 by mr. inslee of washington. the chair: a recorded vote has been requested. those in support of a recorded vote will rise and be counted. number. this is a 15-minute vote. [captioning made possible by the national captioning institute, inc., in cooperation with the united states house of representatives. any use of the closed-captioned coverage of the house proceedings for political or commercial purposes is expressly prohibited by the u.s. house of representatives.]

the speaker pro tempore: on this vote, the yeas are 410, the nays are 8. the amendment is adopted. the unfinished business is the request for a recorded vote on endment number 21 printed i house report 111-498 by the gentleman from illinois, mr.

gutierrez, on which further proceedings were postponed and the yaste prevailed by voice vote. the clerk will redesignate the amendment. the clerk: amendment number 21 printed in house report 111-498 offered by mr. gute year ezz of illinois. the speaker pro tempore: a recorded vote has been requested. a sufficient number having arisen, a recorded vote is ordered. members will record their votes by electronic device.. this is a five-minute vote. [captioning made possible by the national captioning institute, inc., in cooperation with the united states house of representatives. any use of the closed-captioned coverage of the house proceedings for political or commercial purposes is expressly prohibited by the u.s. house of representatives.]

the speaker pro tempore: on this vote, the yeas are 372, the nays are 52. the amendment is adopted. the unfinished business is the request for a recorded vote on amendment number 42 printed in house report 111-498 by the gentlewoman from calornia, ms. eshoo, on which further proceedings were postponed and the yeas prevailed by voice vote. the clerk: amendment number 42, printed in house report 111-498 offered by ms. eshoo of california. the speaker pro tempore: a recorded vote has been requested. those in support of a recorded vote will rise and be counted. a sufficient number having arisen, a recorded vote is ordered.

members will record their votes by electronic device. this is a five-minute vote. [captioning made possible by the national captioning institute, inc., in cooperation with the united states house of representatives. any use of the closecaptioned coverage of the house proceedings for political or commercial purposes is expressly prohibited by the u.s. house of representatives.].

the chair: on this vote, the yeas are 218, the nays are 210. the amendment is adopted. the unfinished business is the request for a recorded vote on amendment number 80, printed in house report 111-498 by the gentlewoman from maine, ms. pingree, on whicfurther proceed wrgs postponed and on which the the nays prevailed by voice vote. the clerk will redesignate the amendment. the clerk: amendment number 80, printed in house report 111-498, offered by ms. pibgree of maine. the chair: a recorded vote has been requested. those in support of a request for a recorded vote will rise and be counted. a sufficient number having

risen, a recorded vote is ordered. members will record their votes by electronic device. this is a 15-minute vote. [captioning made possible by the national captioning institute, inc., in cooperation with the united states house of representatives. any use of the closed-captioned coverage of the house proceedings for political or commercial purposes is expressly prohibited by the u.s. house of representatives.]

the speaker pro tempore: on this vote, the yeas are 193, the nays are 231. present vote as the. the amendment is not adopted. the unfinished business is the request for a recorded vote on amendment number 79, printed in house report 111-498 by the gentleman from pennsylvania, mr. patrick murphy, on which further proceedings were postponed and on which the yeas prevailed by voice vote. the clerk will redesignate the amendment. the clerk: amendment number 79, offered by mr. patrick murphy of

pennsylvania. the chair: a recorded vote has been requested. those in support of a recorded vote will rise and be counted. a sufficient number having arisen, a recorded vote is ordered. members will record their votes by electronic device. this is a 15-minute vote. [captioninmade possible by the national captioning institute, inc., in cooperation with the united states house of representatives. any use of the closed-captioned coverage of the house proceedings for political or commercial purposes is expressly prohibited by the u.s. house of representatives.]

the chair: on this vote, the yeas are 234 and the nays are 194. the motion is adopt -- the amendment is adopted.

the chair will remind all persons in the gallery, they are here as guests of the house , and any sign of approval or disapproval of the proceedings is in violation of the house. the unfinished business is the request for a recorded vote on amendment number 47, printed in house report 111-498, by the gentleman from maryland, mr. sarbanes, on which further proceed wrgs postponed and the eyes prevailed by voice vote. the clerk will redesignate the amendment. the clerk: amendment number 47 printed in house report 111-498, offered by mr.

sarbanes of maryland. the chair: a recorded vote has been requested. those in support of a recorded vote will rise and be counted. a sufficient number having risen, a recorded vote is ordered. this is a five-minute vote. [captioning made possible by the national captioning institute, inc., in cooperation with the united states house of representatives.

the chair: on this vote, the yeas are --

the speaker pro tempore: on this vote, the yeas are 253, the nays

are 172. the amendment is adopted. the chair: for what purpose does the gentleman from missouri seek recognition? mr. skelton: madam speaker, madam speaker -- the chair: the gentleman from missouri -- mr. skelton: madam speaker, i move we rise. the chair: the question is on the motion to rise. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. the yeas have it. the committee rises.

the speaker pro tempore: the house will be in order. madam chair. the chair has examined the journal of the last day's proceedings the committee of the whole house under the state of the union having had under consideration h.r. 5136 directs me to report that it has come to no resolution thereon the speaker pro tempore: the committee has had under consideration h.r. 5136 and has come to no resolution thereon. the chair lays before the house the following enrolled bill. the clerk: h.r. 5128 an act to designate the department of interior building as the stert udall as the department of sbrosh building.

-- interior building. the speaker pro tempore: pusht to house resolution 1404 and the rule 18, the state considers 5136, will the gentleman from oregon, kindly resume the chair. the chair: the committee will be in order. the house is in the committee of the whole in the house of the state of the union for further consideration of the bill h.r.

1404 which the clerk will report by title. revise that, bill 5136. the clerk: a bill to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2011 forilitary activities for the department of defense to prescribe military personnel strength for fiscal year and for other purposes. the chair: when the committee of the whole rose amendment number 47, amendment by mr. sarbanes, had been disposed of. for what purpose does the gentleman from missouri seek recognition? mr. skelton: pursuant to h. res.

1404, i offer amendments en bloc number eight. the chair: the clerk will offer the amendments en bloc. the clerk: amendments offered by mr. skelton by mr. skelton, 56, 58, 59, 65, 69, 71, 76 and 78 printed in house report 1111-498. the chair: pursuant to house resolution 1404, the gentleman from most, mr. skelton and the gentleman from california, mr. mckeon, each will control 10 minutes, the chair will recognize the gentleman from missouri. mr. skelton: the amendments have been examined by the majority and minority. mr. chairman, i yield three minutes to my friend and colleague, the gentleman from iowa, mr. boswell. the chair: mr. boswell is

recognized for three minutes. mr. boswell: i rise to support the en bloc amendments. in the last week, i was called to the floor and i didn't get to talk about the little item i had in there to do with the study for breast cancer for women soldiers. it passed and i'm proud of that. and i want to thank the ranking member as well. it occurs to me we need to talk about this just a little bit. i stand before you as a survivor of somebody that high level surgeons say -- the chair: the gentleman will suspend. the committee will be in order. take your conversations off the ploor, please. the gentleman will resume. mr. boswell: standing before you as aperson that surgeons tell me what i wenthrough was agent orange. we didn't do anything about it until way down the line.

i have a veteran, a lady veteran in my office that went to reunion after iraq. and in that small group, five of the women had breast cancer. and they had no connection to anything else in their lives. and i feel like we can't just let this go. 15% of the force women are going to be 20% in the short time. we have to do things different. so i appreciate the fact that the department of defense is going to take a look at this and see if they'll study. i don't want to be another agent orange. i hope i won't. i'm very adamant about supporting the troops. you know that. you know my history. and i'm never going to back off from that. we have to do all the things we

have to do. but the limit of the united states forces deserve some special attention in this and i think that we ought to give some serious thought as we go to the future. maybe the very near future to give this consideration beyond what we have done. my intuition tells me this is important, what checking we have done. there seems to be a problem and we ought to get to the problem of it as fast as we can to the outstanding women that serve in our armed forces. for one little reunion to find out that five women soldiers are afflicted. it needs some attention. and i just would hope as with go forth that the time, that we will take the effort to be sure

this is looked into and we don't look back a few years like we have in agent orange and say, oh my, i wish we had known. it doesn't cost too much to find out. and thank you, i yield back. the chair: the gentleman from california is recognized. mr. mckeon: i rise to claim the time in opposition to the amendment, although i'm not opposed to the amendment and i reserve the balance of my time. the chair: the gentleman reserves. the gentleman from missouri is recognized. mr. skelton: i yield two minutes to my friend, mr. blumenauer, for purposes of engaging in a colquee with the gentleman from maryland. -- colloquy with the the gentleman from maryland. mr. blumenauer: i would like to clarify the issue fer intent of

the amendment with regarding the mr. chairman-50 truck program. and i yield to the program. mr. barrett: my amendment on the truck program. it is my intent to submit a request for unanimous consent to considered a revised version made in order by the rules committee. i read the revised version. it en-- encourages for trucks pro cumpletse for fiscal year 2012. and it requires the secretary of the army to provide courses of action to meet the army's current requirement for m-915 trucks. mr. blumenauer: the m- 15 truck program is a critical as set and note that current m-915 truck

program is on cost and strull and meets the requirmse. wouk willing to work with me regarding h.r. 5136 the national defense authorization act for 2011? mr. barrett: i would real come the opportunity to work on this critical issue, thank you. mr. blumenauer: i appreciate the clarification. and mr. chairman, i yield back. the chair: the gentleman from california continues to reserve. gentleman reserves. the gentleman from missouri. mr. skelton: i yield one minute to my colleague, yasmjea, mr. connelly. mr. connolly: thank you, and i thank mr. skelton to approve federal internshiprograms. and federal government faces a

challenge of recruiting and retaining the work force of the future. we have a record in terms of student internship programs and their retenship rate when compared to the private sector. this will set some standards that all federal agencies have to meet and the reporting requirement that will give congress the information to move forward. i urge my colleagues to support this amendment. and i yield back to the distinguished chairman. the chair: the gentleman yields back. the gentleman from california. mr. skelton: i yield two minutes. the chair: i yield two minutes. mr. skelton: i yield two minutes to mr. lungren for purposes of engaging in a colloquy. the chair: the gentleman is recognized. mr. lungren: i would like to enter into a colloquy about

amendment number 53 a the amendment does not envision checking the background of any iraqi nationals coming to the united states nor does it ask for a shortcut in my process designed to protect any national security? mr. skelton: the amendment is asking for a plan to speed up the process as appropriate. the sponsor of the amendment believes and so do i that all appropriate background checks must be carried out in the right way to best protect our national security. mr. lungren: i thank the chairman for that clarification. the chair: the gentleman yields back. the geneman from missouri. mr. skelton: i yield two minutes to my friend, the gentleman from nevada, -- the gentlewoman from nevada, ms. titus.

ms. titus: the purpose of this amendment is to provide the secretary of defense to change the effective date of the homeowners assistance program for members of the armed forces permanently assigned. the program approved by congress allows members to be reimbursed for losses as a result of vrg to sell their hole. under current law, a service member must purchase his or her home before july 1, 2006 in order to qualify for assistance. my congressional district is home for a number of members to the aircraft program. many of these armed service members were assigned to southern nevada when prices were fueled by out of control and reckless speculators. they and others purchased homes at what was then a fair market price.

through no fault of their own, many of their homes have lost value. a problem arises that many are being reassigned to a new area. a number of service members have contacted us that this date were set too early to set the goals of the program. our amendment provides the necessary flexibility to the secretary of defense to change this date and specific geographic areas where declines trended lined the national average of the moss of these service members have no problems and a and this amendment is modeled after legislation that was introduced in november. and it has been endorsed by a number of military

organizations. i thank chairman skelton for his support and i urge our colleagues to vote for the amendment. i thank you. the chair: the gentlewoman from time has expired. . mr. andrews: i yield back the balance of our time. the chair: the gentleman yields back his time. mr. mckeon: i yield back the balance of my time. the chair: the question son the amendments en bloc offered by the gentleman from missouri. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it, the en bloc amendments are agreed to. it's now in order to consider amendment number 68, printed in house report 111-498. for what purpose does the gentleman from new mexico seek recognition? >> mr. chairman, i have an amendment at the desk.

the chair: the clerk will designate e amendment. the clerk: amendment number 6 , printed in house report 111-498, offered by mr. teague of new mexico. the chair: pursuant to house resolution 1404, the gentleman from mexico, mr. teague, and a member opposed each will control five minutes. the chair recognizes the gentleman from new mexico. mr. teague: i rise today to offer this amendment to increase the maximum age for children eligible for medical care under the v.a. program. this will ensure that our disabled veterans ben fit from one of the most popular benefits of the act. champ v. samplet the health insurance program for dependents of veteran who was been rated permanently and totally disabled and surviving dependents of service members whose death were due to

service-related injuries. currently, the benefit can be provided to dent children up to age 23. that was signed into law earlier this year, individuals with private health insurance will be able to provide coverage to their dependent virn up to the age of 26. champ v.a. is a department of veterans' affairs program and governed by a different section of the united states code. it was not altered by the p.p.a.c.a. as such, the maximum age for dependent children under champ v.a. remains 23. our disabled veterans have sacrificed so much for our country and it is our duty to make sure that they and their families have access to quality, affordable health care. this amendment would amend title 38 to increase the maximum age for coverage of dependent children under champ v.a. from 23 to 26. at the very least we must provide these heros with the

same health insurance benefits aforded civilians. we should correct this wrong immediately. we should do what's right for our veterans. vote yes on this amendment. thank you, mr. chairman. i reserve the balance of my time. the chair: does any member seek time in opposition to the amendment? for what purpose does the gentleman from california rise? mr. mckeon: i rise to claim time in opposition to the amendment, though we are not opposed to the amendment. the chair: the gentleman is recognized. mr. teague: i yield to the gentleman from new jersey as much time as he may need. the chair: the gentleman from new jersey is recognized. mr. andrews: i thank the gentleman for offering this amendment that our side supports. we urge a yes vote and yield back. the chair: the gentleman yields back. the gentleman from new mexico is recognized. mr. teague: i reserve the plans of our time. the chair: the gentleman from

california. mr. mckeon: we yield back the balance of our time. mr. teague: we yield back. the chair: the gentleman from mexico says aye, the -- -- those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, the amendment is agreed. to it is now in order to consider amendment 81. for what purpose does the gentleman from new hampshire seek recognition? >> i have an amendment at the desk. the chair: the clerk will report the amendment. the clerk: amendment number 81 printed in house report 111-498, offered by ms. shea-porter from new hampshire. the chair: the gentlewoman from new hampshire, ms. shea-porter and a member opposed will each control five minutes.

ms. shea-porter: for too long, the american people have been paying contractors and subcontractors. unfortunately, they are not entering the information. my amendment would impose a penalty on those kinds of contract -- on those contractors that do not comply with the requirement to report this contract information. their noncompliance prevents oversight agencies from conducting proper investigation and therefore prevents these agencies from uncovering waste. we cannot prevent theft if we can't follow the money. just this week a witness before the commission on wartime contracting said the contracting environment in overseas operations was highly vulnerable to fraud. the g.a.o. recently reported

that they face difficult changes in tracking and overseeing contract personnel and contracts. we have been using contractors in both wars for nine years now. the criminal activity is diverse. fraud, bribery, kickbacks and theft of cash or equipment, etc. we have not given our federal agencies all the tools they need to catch these bad actors. we don't know who they're doing business with. taxpayers are spending billions of dollars in iraq and afghanistan, they deserve accountability. i urge my colleagues to support this amendment and i reserve the balance of my time. the chairthe gentlewoman reserves the balance of her time. for what purpose does the gentleman from california rise? mr. mckeon: i rise to claim the time in opposition, though i do not oppose the amendment. the chair: objection.

mr. mckeon: i will support the amendment and i yield back the balance of our time. the chair: the jerusalem from new hampshire is recognized. ms. shea-porter: i will yield. mr. andrews: i thank the gentlady for crafting this amendment, it's a valuable tool for investors and if necessary, prosecutors to track down fraud and protect our service members and the taxpayers. we're happy to support this worthy amendment. the chair: the gentlewoman is recognized. ms. shea-porter: i want to thank the gentleman, and i yield back the balance of our time. the chair: those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it. the amendment is agreed to. ms. shea-porter: i ask for a recorded vote.

the chair: under clause 6 of rule 18, further amendments -- proceedings on the amendment will be postponed. for what purpose does the gentleman from missouri seek recognition? the chair: mr. chairman, pursuant to -- mr. skelton: pursuant to h.res. 1404, ayou have amendment package number nine, including modifications to amendment number 32. the chair: the clerk will designate the amendments en bloc. the clerk: amendments en bloc number nine, offered by mr. skelton of missouri, consisting of amendments 8, 15, 30, 32, 55, 61, 64, 66, 67, 74, and 77, printed in house report 111-498. the chair: the clerk will report modification on

amendment 32. mr. skelton: i ask annapolis consent we dispense with the reading. the chair: is there reading? -- is there objection. without objection, the reading is dispensed with. the chair recognizes the gentleman from missouri. mr. skelton: i encourage the committee to adopt the amendments en bloc, which have been examined by the majority and the minority. i yield two minutes to my friend, the gentlelady from california, ms. matsui. the chair: the gentlelady is recognized. ms. matsui: i rise today in support of the courtney-petri-matsui amendment regarding troops to teachers. it includes part of the bipartisan troops to teachers enhancement act which has 170 co-sponsors.

our amendment would make the program more accessible to those returning from iraq and afghanistan. additionally, it is the clear intent of this amendment to expand the number of school districts eligible to participate in the troops to teachers program. with the diverse backgrounds and leadership traits, our nation's veterans can serve the country again by serving as teachers in our nation's most vulnerable schools. witnessing the success of this program in schools in my community has strengthened by determination to expand the troops to teachers program. i urge me mbers to vote in support of this amendment and i yield back the balance of my time. the chair: the gentlewoman yields back her time. the gentleman from -- does anyone rise in opposition in the gentleman from california is recognized. mr. mckeon: i claim time in opposition to the amendment, however i don't intend to oppose the amendment. the chair: the gentleman is

recognized. mr. mckeon: i'd like to yield three minutes, or such time as he may consume to the gentleman from arizona, mr. shadegg. the chair: the gentleman is recognized. mr. shadegg: thank you, mr. chairman. i rise in support of the en bloc amendment, but in particular in support of my amendment in that amendment number 30. under current american law, veterans are entitled to certain imolyumets when they pass. these include burial in a veterans' cemetery, or a national cemetery or a cemetery supported by federal funds, including a flag -- and a flag to drape the coffin, a military honor guard and a letter from the president. following the bombing in oklahoma city, this congress recognized those benefits were still accorded to veterans who had committed even capital offenses and they recognized

that timothy mcveigh would have been entitled under current law to be buried with those honors. this congress in good judgment decided to revoke those honorary benefits from veterans convicted of the violent crime of murder and indeed we revoked it for all capital offenses. in 1997, we eblings up and downed that and said it would be for -- applicable to anybody convicted of a capital offense, whether they were nnsed to -- sentenced to death or not. we left a gaping hole in the law. my amendment simply seeks to fill that hole. it's a gaping hole which says that if you have been convicted of the violent rape of a woman, you may still receive all those honorary honors. you may be buried in a veterans' cemetery with an american flag work a certificate from the president and with a military honor guard. that dishonors all of our

nation's veterans who are indeed buried in those cemeteries as appreciation for their great service to this country. i believe that, and i believe that this body, recognizes that rape is one of the most violent of all crimes. it's not committed in the heat of passion as murder sometimes is it is, indeed a plotted, carried out crime a crime of immense violence this issue came to my attention when generalmy bush a recent college garage -- when jenmy bush a recent college graduate, entered her home and was accosted by a man who entered earlier in the day he taped her with duct tape, held her at knife point and violently raped her. fortunately, her rapist was caught and it was determined he was a serial rapist. he had indeed raped 10 other women, including a 9-year-old girl, and yet under the law in

america, he was entitled, upon his death, to receive all the military honors we give to those who have not committed such heinous crimes. that is an injustice and it is an injustice that this amendment corrects. this amendment was brought to me by jenny's father, following the incident where the rapist, the serial rapist who raped this young lady committed suicide on the morning of his sentencing and then was buried with all those military honors. i don't think that we should say that our veterans' cemeteries are open to the burial and to utilization by sex offenders who have committed violent rape against america's women. this has been a thee-year struggle where we sought to amend the law. i want to thank the rules committee for making this amendment in order. i want to thank steve bush and

his daughter jenny for their courage in raising this issue. i want to thank ann reem work the voices and faces project, stephanie hanson and jo an amebbolt with end violence against women international for their work in trying to help this legislation. it seems to me it is well time for us to correct the injustice which exists in our law on this issue and i commend the committee for making it possible for us to correct this. . this does not punish the family of the perpetrators, but not give special honors of someone who is convicted of such a heinous crime as rape. i thank the chairman of the committee and ranking member of the committee. i believe this is something that will, in fact, honor this congress by recognizing we do not as a nation tolerate violent

cres against women. our ine form military code of justice indeed provides that rape is, in fact, a capital crime. this brings our code in line with the current provision of the law. and the f.b.i. ranks rape second only to murder. and i believe you could make the argument that rape is a more heinous crime than murder because it is always carried out with planning and often with great violence as it was against jenny bush. this mirrors a bill that i introduced in the congress named after jenny bush and has been endorsed by the ring network and also has been endorsed by the military order of the purple heart. and i would like to ask unanimous consent to put in the record a letter from the military order of the purple heart at this point.

the chair: the request will be covered by general leave. mr. shadegg: i urge my colleagues to support the en bloc amendments and i would be happy to yield to the ranking member. mr. mckeon: i thank the gentleman for bringing this amendment. i think this is something i was totally unaware of. i appreciate his work. this is a great addition to the bill and i support it wholeheartedly. mr. shadegg: i have spent a good deal of my life advocating for victims of crime. this is an outrage that exists in current law. the victims of law should not be revictimized. it is high time we correct it. i thank the chairwosm woman of the rules committee and the chairman and ranking member of the armed services committee for

making the correction of this injustice possible. i yield back. the chair: the gentleman from missouri is recognized. mr. skelton: i recognize the gentleman from connecticut, mr. courtney. the chair: the gentleman is recognized. mr. courtney: i want to congrat late mr. skelton for the outstanding work he has done for bringing this bill to the floor and this bill will actually for the first time since the beginning of the virginia class submarine program. that was a target we were supposed to reach and had been delayed year in and year out and throughout his leadership we will reach that level that will be important for our submarine and our navy. i would like to talk about the amendment that congresswoman matsui referred to earlier.

she described her efforts to expand the efforts. this is an effort that will move the program into the department of defense from the department of education, a place where it has been almost defacto. and it will shorten the service requirements from six years to four years which will allow iraq and afghanistan war veterans to participate in this program. this is a program that has provided a pathway for the finest americans to participate and be in the classroom with the talents of stem area and and it has demonstrated recruited teachers into the classroom. it has introduced male teachers and minority teachers which i think is going to benefit our education system.

it's an amendment that has been endorsed by veteran service organizations from emthe american legion and education groups has endorsed this measure and i thank the chairman for including this amendment in the encomblock amendment and urge -- en bloc amendment and i urge support and i yield back. the chair: the gentleman's time has expired. the gentleman from california is recognized. mr. mckeon: i yield three minutes to mr. luetkemeyerer. mr. luetkemeyer: i rise in support of en bloc amendment number 9 which directs reverse view of the service records. and i thank the chairman and ranking member and other members of the committee for their support on this important issue. we owe much to the patriotic

americans who have worn the uniform. our country has been blessed that our citizens have defended our freedom. the highest military decoration awarded to our government. in 2001, congress passed the jewish war veterans act which had broad bipartisan. this presented jewish soldiers the opportunity to receive the medal honor for their service in world war ii. however jewish veterans of world war i faced the same discrimination and not afforded to receive the same recogtion. a jewish american who earned the distinguished service cross in 1918 for saving three of his soldiers' les in france while living in combat after more

senior soldiers were killed. he passed away in 1973, but his daughter, a resident in my district has worked on behalf of her father. this amendment would build on past legislation and recognize the sacrifice of jewish soldiers in world war i. i honor the work of these veterans and brave soldiers. i yield back the balance of my time. the chair: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. the gentleman from missouri is recognized. mr. skelton: i make a comment. it was our fellow citizen of missouri, harry truman awarding the medal of honor to two marines and said he rather have that ven be president. it's an honor. mr. chairman, i yield two minutes to my friend, the

gentlelady from colorado, ms. markey. the chair: the gentlelady is recognized. ms. markey: i rise in support of this bloc amendment which creates a scholarship program to wouk towards advanced degrees. one in three veterans in iraq and afghanistan have some form of visible injury. the v.a. has diagnosed nearly 250,000 vets as having some mental health injury, yet it is well known that less than half of those with injuries have been diagnosed or treated. the department of veteran affairs is a program to help veterans from suffering from post-traumatic stress diss order. this will help veterans receive training so they can provide peer-to peer training to other

combat veterans. who better than those who have shared similar experiences in combat. the veterans who served our country deserve the best possible mental health treatment. i urge my colleagues to honor america's veterans and support this amendment. and with that, i yield back. the chair: the gentlelady yields back her time. the gentleman from california has one minute. mr. mckeon: i thank you, mr. chairman. mr. chairman, i guess this is the end of our debate. this is the last of the amendments. i want to thank the chairman for the good work that he's done on this bill. i want to thank all of the staff. everybody has worked very hard, the subcommittee chairs and ranking members what they have done to get us to this point.

i'm sorry that the democratic leadership didn't give us more time to debate don't ask, don't tell, so i had to spend a lot of time talking about it other times sm the time they gave us for the debate was less time than we had to vote on it. 10 minutes to debate, 15 minutes to vote. i announced with my opening statement that if amendment passed, the don't ask, don't tell amendment didn't pass, i would have to vote against the bill. it is the first time in my 18 years that i will vote against the defense reauthorization bill and i do that with a very heavy heart. but i again, thank you, mr. chairman. it has been a joy and pleasure working with you and i appreciate your integrity and the leadership you provided to the committee. i yield back. the chair: the gentleman yields

back the balance of his time. the gentleman from missouri. mr. skelton: i yield two minutes to my colleague, the gentleman from florida, mr. klein. the chair: the gentleman is recognized. mr. klein: i thank the gentleman from missouri for his great leadership on defense issues. i rise today to support the en bloc amendment number 9 which includes my amendment to h.r. 5136, the defense authorization act. as congress continues to consider iran sanctions, we must work every day to ensure that iran does not get a nuclear weapon in the meantime. i have offered an amendment to require the defense contractors to certify they do not conduct business in iran. i have been asking to investigate and punish those companies who are bre investigate and punish those companies who are breaking the law by investing in iran's energy sector. while the state department is making progress in these

investigation go, these investments continue. according to the congressional research service, several companies have violated the iran sanctions act over the last number of years and according to the "new york times," over 107 billion in government contracts have gone to companies that are doing business in iran. that is why we cannot wait for companies to be designated as ators of the iran sampingses act. taxpayer money is being spent now on goods and services to companies that are thwarting the law. companies must be able to self-certify that he are not conducting a business in iran or united states government. all companies, especially those who reseff -- receive taxpayer funds should not be undermining u.s. foreign policy. the certification requirement reflects the choice that each of these companies must make, do

business with the united states government or business with iran. iran must not get a nuclear weapon, not our watch or dime. i would like to thank the chairman and ranking member many for their leadership to prevent u.s. contractors from contributing to iran's dangerous nuclear program. i urge support of the amendment and i yield back the balance of my time. the chair: the gentleman from missouri is recognized. skeltscolet i yield two minutes to -- mr. skelton: i yield two minutes to my friend, the gentleman from new jersey, mr. holt. the chair: the gentleman is recognized. mr. holt: i thank chairman skelton for joining me in this. and i also want to recognize the co-sponsors, mr. bishop and mr. himes for this amendment which seeks to address a serious gap in our military suicide

prevention efforts, that cost