[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 .s. house of representatives.] the speaker pro tempore: the house will be in order. the chair lays before the house a communication from the speaker. the clerk: the speaker's room, washington, d.c., may 20, 2014. i hereby appoint the honorable kerry l. bentivolio to act as speaker pro tempore on this

day. signed, john a. boehner, speaker of the house of representatives. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to the order of the house of january 7, 2014, the chair will now recognize members from lists submitted by the majority and minority leaders for morning hour ebate. the chair will alternate recognition between the parties with each party limited to one hour and each member other than the majority and minority leaders and the minority whip , but in o five minutes no event shall debate continue beyond 11:50 a.m. the chair recognizes the gentleman from north carolina, mr. holding, for five minutes. mr. holding: thank you, mr. speaker. mr. speaker, suffice it to say there is no shortage of challenges across the globe. all of which cast our nation's foreign policy and resolve and pose a threat to our national security. lately, the world's attention has been focused on a myriad of issues that rightly deserve our

attention -- russia's blightant violation of ukraine's sovereignty, their continued meddling in our eastern european allies, chinese's continued rhetoric aggression in the east and south china seas, the struggle for democracy in venezuela and the events that continue to unfold in nigeria and syria, among other things. establishing a coherent foreign policy and ensuring our national security require the united states to maintain a fixed leadership role in all of these challenges that we face. but, mr. speaker, while these and a host of other pressing issues test the united states and our friends around the globe, i'm concerned that we have let what i consider to be the greatest threat to our national security fall out of the center of the discussion. that, of course, mr. speaker, is the ongoing nuclear negotiations with iran. the success or failure of these talks will undoubtedly have a

far reaching impact on the safety and security of the middle east and the international effort to prevent further nuclear proliferation. the ramifications can never be overstated. mr. speaker, i'm not suggesting that our efforts and those of our international partners, for example, to strengthen our allegiances -- alliances in the baltics or to bring iran to justice should cease. what i'm suggesting is we should continue to stand strongly shoulder to shoulder tyranny ze to combat -- our allies to combat tyranny. i think congress needs to right now consider -- continue the discussion and increase our oversight of the dealings with the regime in tehran, especially as the july 20 deadline rapidly approaches. i know that chairman royce of the house foreign affairs committee has always made these

negotiations and the precise details regarding inspection and verification a priority, and i serum welcome his commitment to increasing the committee's efforts to hold the administration accountable as they try and reach a final deal. what i fear is that the administration might accept and worse push for a final deal filled with concessions that endanger our national security just for the sake of getting a deal done. what might even be worse, mr. speaker, an extension of the talks that fail to do anything for real consequence to stop iran's march to a bomb. time has shown us again and again that tehran's freak use of manipulative -- frequent use of manipulative tactics when it comes to concealing their nuclear program. every day that passes which concrete steps aren't put into place to prevent and to verify that iran isn't maneuvering for

the bomb is another day in which our security and the security of our allies is put in jeopardy dei. mr. speaker, we all know that the world is a complex place, and there will always be a new and emerging crisis right around the corner that threatens the delicate balance of global stability, but if we and our international partners fail at the task before us of assuring iran doesn't have the breakout capacity to get the bomb, those emerging crises will always take the backseat to a threat created by a nuclear-armed iran. thank you, mr. speaker, and i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back. the chair recognizes the gentleman from north carolina, mr. butterfield, for five minutes. r. butterfield: mr. speaker, i rise to recognize and honor william earl "bill" meyers who today will receive the 2014 heritage award from the north carolina arts council.

bill meyers has dedicated his life to education and the arts. bill meyers was born 81 years ago in greenville, north carolina, from a very early age, bill showed great musical ability. this talent prompted bill's grandmother to enroll him in piano to develop his skills. over the years bill continued his quest for musical excellence, joining the high school band while also playing piano for church sunday school. recognizing his gift, bill's sunday school teacher took him to new york city to attend a convention. during the trip bill visited radio city music hall, saw the rockettes perform, went to the pollo theater and saw willis gator to perform on his saxophone. not long after the new york trip, mr. speaker, a mr. bob lewis was hired as the school's new band director.

bill idolized bob lewis. everything he did impressed bill, from his style of dress to his shined shoes, and bob played the saxophone. it was a tremendous influence of bob lewis and his piano teacher, mrs. albright, both graduates of virginia state university, that prompted bill to attend that institution. since bill didn't have the resources to attend college, he began performing his musical talents. he joined bands that performed at the tropicana club, the blue moon club and the rose club. eventually bob was able to save enough money to join virginia state university. in 1955, bill graduated from virginia state university and joined the united states army as a second lieutenant. after his military service, bill's father arranged an interview for him to teach at frederick douglass high school in elm city, north carolina.

the school needed a new music teacher and bill was a perfect fit. as a teacher, bill was really disheartened by the students' lack of cultural exposure. so bill made sure to expose them to the arts and other communities and to opportunities beyond their town. due to his work and commitment, bill was eventually promoted to assistant principal before deciding to pursue a masters in education at east carolina university. after completing graduate school, bill attended the principal's executive program at the university of north carolina, which led to being named -- to him being named principal of the newly integrated elm city high school. after the county's school city merged, bill became principal of elm city middle school and became superintendent of schools for personnel, becoming the first frean in the county to hold that -- african-american in the county to hold that position. throughout the course of his long life, bill still manages

to perform with his band of 60 years called the monitors. the band boasts that roberta flack was its first vocalist. i would be remiss if i didn't mention bill's wife, the former diana davis, yes, my first cousin. the love of his life for 50 years. the two were married in 1963. i remember it so well. i was their wedding driver. and they have two children. michael and michelle and they have together four grandchildren, william, madison, cameron and any kayla. bill -- and mikayla. bill is part of the church in wilson where he leads their powerful gospel choir. i ask my colleagues to join me in showing our heart felt congratulations to a great north carolinian to a great american, mr. william earl "bill" meyers. i thank you, mr. speaker, for yielding time. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the

gentleman yields back. the chair recognizes the gentleman from pennsylvania, r. thompson, for five minutes. mr. thompson: thank you, mr. speaker. mr. speaker, today i rise as a proud co-sponsor of h.r. 3116, the modern cures act. a.l.s., also known as lou gehrig's disease is a progressive, fatal neuromuse could you lahr disorder often resulting in paralysis. as a former rehabilitation therapist and manager, i witnessed firsthand the devastating impact that this disease takes of individual lives and family members. a life expectancy after diagnosis of a.l.s. is an average of two to five years. veterans are twice as likery to experience -- likely to experience and die from a.l.s. as the general public.

what's even worse, mr. speaker, there remains no cure. the modern cures act would speed up the development of new and better treatment for patients with chronic diseases and disabilities, including a.l.s. y removing barriers to medical innovation. it encourages research on treatment which quite frankly have been set aside in the lab but hold promise for treating a.l.s. and other chronic diseases and disabilities. mr. speaker, i encourage all my colleagues to support this important piece of legislation, and i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back. the chair recognizes the gentleman from illinois, mr. gutierrez, for five minutes. mr. gutierrez: mr. speaker, last week tom donahue, the

president of the u.s. chamber of congress, said if house republicans failed to pass an immigration bill this year, the republican party should, quote, not bother to run a candidate in 2016. even with the majority of republican voters supporting immigration reform and yet a majority of tea party voters in support, the position republican candidates feel they must win over their base, latino voters are repeled and the loud but small contingent of immigration opponents have backed the republican party into a corner that they don't have the courage to break out of. so, mr. speaker, i give you george w. bush, the man who will go down in history as the last republican president in american history. tom donahue is right. there is a demographic reality that will make republicans a footnote in history. just like the wigs and the no nothings unless they get the immigration issue off the

table. look, there are only 18 legislative days before the july fourth recess, before the campaign season takes over. but you still have time to change history. if you do nothing on immigration, i guess you can take comfort in knowing that from abraham lincoln to george w. bush you had a pretty good run, freeing the slaves, winning the civil wars, interstate highway system, that goes in the highlight column and there have been a few low lights as well. all our grandchildren will ever know of republicans as national party will be what they read in the history blogs. and they will look at 2014 as the year it all slipped away. unless you act soon. with or without immigration reform, latino forces is growing faster than republicans can withstand. and are tilting more towards the democrats with each day republicans stand in the way of stopping deportations that are breaking up immigrant families.

today, today, tuesday, 2,000 latino citizens born and raised in the united states, right here in the united states of america, will turn 18 and become eligible to vote. that's 2,000 a day and every day until election day, 2016. but wait a minute. that will continue for the next 30 years, that's 65 citizens with or without immigration reform for the next 30 years, throwing women, younger voters, asian voters and others who are strongly in favor of immigration reform and the republican party has dug quite a hole for themselves by standing with steve king of iowa. two million more latinos voted it 008 than in 2004 until tilted heavily toward the democratic bill until the sensenbrenner bill that criminalized immigrant families. 2,000 more families voted.

romney's anti-immigrant message. and we aren't even registering the citizens in our community in the numbers we're capable of but we're getting better at it every year. right now i think house republicans are at a crossroads. many, including the speaker, i think, want to get the immigration issue resolved before the 2016 election. they know that the next few weeks offer the only chance republicans have to both solve a tough american issue and get some of the credit for doing so. others are already crouching in their anti-boim bunkers and want to -- anti-obama bunkers and want to play it safe this year. conservative columnist, juan williams, calls this the trap obama is setting for the republican party. williams knows, as i do, that president obama can act with or without congress, given the latitude he already has under existing immigration law. williams wrote in "roll call," quote, the house's lack of

action can open the door for obama to take lateral action on immigration reform, and i tell you he will take unilateral action. he goes on to state, the political result will be to make heros of the president and his congressional allies while leaving republicans to explain why the tea party element in the house refuse to deal with the immigration crisis. . he states, quote, such an outcome would smement the political loyalty between the growing latino vote and the democrats and it would stir the democrats' liberal base for the 2014 election. williams is right, you have 18 legislative days to right the policy, whip the votes, and pass the bill. that's not a lot of time. let us work together to put my 200 democrats together with 60, 70, 80 republicans that we can get onboard to pass a bill. or a series of bills. pass and let's get it done for the american people. mr. speaker, i suggest the

republican majority, they do it for abraham, they do it for george. do it for any little boy or little girl in america who wants to grow up to be a republican president. but most of all, do it for our country. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman's time has expired. the chair recognizes the gentleman from massachusetts, r. mcgovern, for five minutes. without objection. mr. speaker, i rise today to congratulate donald lombardi, director of nutrition for the worcester public schools in my hometown. for receiving the healthy start leadership award. this award is being presented by the eos foundation, a massachusetts-based foundation that is committed to expanding universal free breakfast in the classroom across the commonwealth of massachusetts. i want to thank donna for her

tireless work at the schools. she's a leader if our efforts to provide quality, nutritious meals to all kids in our school system. she recognizes the critical importance of not only providing nutritious meals to our kids, but also ensuring that every single child in our school system starts off the day with a healthy nutritious meal. the breakfast at the bell plan, where every child would receive a nutritious meal in the classroom after school starts, is an important part of the school day and should be implemented in every school across this country. there are two important reasons why universal free breakfasts -- or breakfast at the bell is the right policy for every school to implement. first, we know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. kids physically and mentally develop better when they eat healthy meals. that's a simple fact. but we also know that kids learn better on a full stomach than they do on empty ones. hungry kids do not learn. and that breakfast each morning

is as essential to their ability to learn as a textbook. second, universal breakfast served at the beginning of the school -- of school ensures every kid gets to meet and not just the ones who get to school early. it removes the stigma that adults may not recognize but the children feel. it's that feeling that a child is different, that because they are poor they need to come in early to get food they don't have at home. donald lombardi is a leader in breakfast at the bell, and i'm proud of the fact she's leading worcester public schools in this direction, and i'm proud to call her my friend. unfortunately, not everyone is on the same page. many school districts and employees are opposed to this idea. there are some who think it is too onerous on schools. that it creates too much waste. and that it isn't a good use of time in the morning. i think those are shortsighted excuses and i'm dis mayed there are those who -- dismayed there

are those who continue to cling to these notions that have been disproven time and time again. we know what works and what doesn't. we know breakfast at the bell is one of those policies and programs that works and i want to congratulate the eos foundation for its hard work and dedication on this issue. most importantly, i want to say donna lombardi is an incredible individual with a passion and talent 230r providing nutritiously balanced meals for children of worcester. sadly as in every community in our country, too many of our children go to bed hungry in worcester. donna has made it her mission to feed them, to reach them first thing in the morning with a nutritious school breakfast and throughout the day with school snacks, school lunch, after-school meal programs, and summer meals, too. school by school, classroom by classroom, child by child. the magnitude of her impact on the lives of thousands of children inspires me. and it inspires all of us, and i'm delighted to congratulate donna on this much deserved

recognition. finally, mr. speaker, i would say to my colleagues, let us learn from donna's example and replicate what works all over this country. and let us be inspired by those who work to end hunger in our country and make that our mission as well. we could end hunger now. i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back. the chair recognizes the gentleman from north dakota, r. cramer, for five minutes. mr. cramer: thank you, mr. speaker. mr. speaker, in newtown, north dakota, right in the hot of the oil patch, an elderly woman once told a f.b.i. agent that she knew human trafficking was taking place in her community because she saw young girls taking different men back and forth to various rooms. when the agent asked the woman for her name so they could investigate, she was too afraid to report it. the horrific nature of this crime can shock individuals and

communities to such a degree that they are unable to conceive such a heinous crimes are even possible much less taking place right in their rural communities. all around the country law enforcement and public citizens are encountering difficulties in identifying human trafficking victims, and our justice system is too often ill-equipped to assign the appropriate penalties for a fast-growing international crime such as human trafficking. what's worse, too often the victims are treated as criminals, dropped into a judicial system not equipped to provide the health and protective services that these women and young girls often need. i held a round table with my friend and colleague, representative erik paulsen, from minnesota earlier this month in north dakota. along with being the fastest growing metropolitan in the nation, willison is dealing with an increase in human trafficking.

it was encouraging to hear how local law enforcement and victims advocates are working hard with federal agents and officers to reverse this trend and to prevent trafficking while restoring the lives of victims. but they are very much in need of a series of federal laws designed to aid their work. their very important work they are doing. to show our commitment, congress will enact legislation like the stop exploitation through trafficking act, which ensures minors who are trafficked are treated as victims and not defendants. and the save act which helps address the root of the problem by making it a federal crime to profit from knowingly advertising for the commercial exploitation of minors and trafficking victims. mr. speaker, we know the most important work to stop human trafficking will be done on the ground by our state and our local law enforcement, federal agents, community members, victims advocates, the

faith-based community, and others. but they need our help to make laws to better support their efforts. so i urge all of my colleagues to support the five bills that will be on the floor tonight to help get our criminal justice and victim support systems caught uple with a rapidly evolving international crime. with that i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back. the chair recognizes the gentlewoman from massachusetts, clark, for ms. five minutes. ms. clark: thank you, mr. speaker. today as a country we face many economic challenges, income disparate. stagnant wages, and an alarming rise of children living in poverty. luckily all available research points to a solution. high quality, early childhood education and care is as close to a silver bullet as we are going to find. it supports working families,

creates economic opportunities for women, and provides a great start to our -- for our youngest learners. today hardworking families spend an extraordinary percentage of their income on childcare. even then they are not always sure it meets the needs of their kids. mr. speaker, that's why i am introducing a bill today to help ensure quality care for infants and toddlers. as a mother of three, i understand that parents want nothing more than to make sure their kids are healthy, safe, and thriving. more than six million children under the age of 3 will spend time in childcare this week. at this tender age when brain development is at its peak, when neuro pathways are being formed every second by the

millions, that is when quality childcare matters most. today i encourage my colleagues to help these children and their families succeed by supporting the infant and toddler care improvement act. thank you. i yield back the balance of my ime. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to clause 12-a of rule 1, the chair declares the house >> when the house returns they will work on a bill building infrastructure projects. they also work on the defense authorization bill and the commerce justice and science spending bill. they will take up the bill condemning the abduction of the nigerian schoolgirls by the terrorist group oklahoma when they come back at noon eastern on c-span.

house democrats are meeting with white house chief of staff denis mcdonough on a number of issues. he is discussing problems the administration has with the defense bill and house democrats expressing issues over the ba situation. today is also primary day in six states. today is the closest thing to a super tuesday. the voting in six states will suck the stage for marquee races. mitch mcconnell faces a tea party inspired primary challenge. crowdedgia where a field of republican candidates will be narrowed to a to person runoff. the expected democratic candidate in that state -- the

from a -- we get more reporter covering the race. >> joining us on the phone is the political reporter from the lexington herald leader to talk about the kentucky senate gop primary. set up the race for us today. >> it is anticlimactic after what we have seen. we were asked acting global businessman challenging senate minority leader mitch mcconnell. it is more of a heavyweight challenge for him. mitch mcconnell made a decision early on after watching the first wave of the tea party in 2010 with rand paul being his hand-picked successor. he prepared accordingly. when matt devon got into the race at the end of last summer mcconnell was prepared.

what we are going to see today is the fruit of that preparation paying off. latest polls show that senator mcconnell has a 20 point advantage ahead of today's primary. >> that is exactly it. every pull we cc senator mcconnell with a lead. the question now becomes what is the end margin? mcconnell is locked in a dead heat. the we will be looking closely to see if he has a problem and whether or not republicans -- how many of them there are? >> how do you decide that information? >> conversations with pollsters and looking at some historical

data, i have heard numbers ranging from 33% to 43% from a which would put connell in a -- put mcconnell in a danger zone. in other movies it is enthusiasm for her campaign or a five term incumbent. he will be watching all the margins closely. after the 2010 primary between rand paul and trey grayson, i believe it was 41% of republicans -- there was no way they would vote for rand paul. it's going to take some work on mitch mcconnell's part. i'm not sure it is a mountain he can't climb. >> what about outside groups in the general election the echo a

lot of people are looking to november here. >> i was with senator mcconnell over the weekend and he kept saying this will be the most-watched race in the country. we are taking this risk and be anywhere between 75 to $100 million. thatke the news yesterday -- they arecks aligned with them to mcconnell of $5.2 million starting tomorrow. to see what you're going is this race is going to accelerate starting tomorrow. host: what do the costs look like for mcconnell? guest: o'connell is known for being a

money machine. he has raised over $22 million. as of last report we got in april fundraising report, he had a little more than $10 million cash on hand. his aides would say he has been able to put in a lot of infrastructure that would pay off in november. allison grimes is also proven to be a fantastic fundraiser. right at $5 million cash on hand. it is unlikely she's ever going to catch mcconnell's advantage. sue certainly proves he can write enough to hang in there. he initially put about $650,000 of his own money in. another that he put in 350,000 in april. he very much was overwhelmed by mitch mcconnell's cash advantage. at the same time he was a better funded challenge on any

incumbent senator. murdoch stood only about $2.3 million. just hasn't been able to find attraction to go with it. with thecal reporter hex into herald leader. thank you for your time. >> and a reminder to watch tonight primary coverage as the results come in. we will have results from kentucky, pennsylvania, and georgia. howhouse returning in about -- about an hour and a half. they'll take up a couple of bills that were marked up yesterday by the rules committee. was upence spending bill first and included a debate on it off versus 521 billion dollars in spending, $79

billion in afghanistan, defense budget cuts, we are going to show you as much of that markup session as he can until the >> we will come to order. -- house returns. >> we will come to order. we have a stack of work ready for us, ready to go this week. it is heavy lifting. to rules committee will meet consider two important pieces of legislation. first the committee will hear 4660.mation about hr this represents the third appropriations bill this year and highlights house republicans commitment to an open and

transparent appropriations process. provides $51.2n billion funded by the law enforcement and public safety efforts, directed to job keeshan and economic growth. subcommitteenk and -- forank wolf their diligent work on this bill. i believe it is important to isw that you being up here important in your life and the life of the congressman. i want to thank you for your service and for your hard work throughout the years. next committee will begin 35, theration on hr44 national defense authorization act for 2015.

and make sure that our friends around the world are well taken care of and protected also. i am proud of this year's nda a. -- ndaa. it increases bureaucracy and chances to improve our militaries effectiveness. in a few minutes the gentlemen of the armed services committee adam smith will be here with the committee. i want to thank them for their incredible work, the incredible work they do together, to make sure that this work is not only on time but -- i want to thank chairman mckee m.

-- chairman mckeon for his years of services. people expect tonight at six comments to professional attributes. i want to let everyone know that today's hearing will be limited to general debate. the rules committee will meet tomorrow for consideration of amendments. i want to thank my colleagues for joining us today. obviously chairman wolf and mr. mcgough are at the wind this table. i want to give the same opportunities to the gentlemen, the ranking member of the committee for any and opening statements she may have. >> it's going to ask for an open rule, are you not echo we are happy to hear that.

i have no discussion on that but i do want to take this opportunity to tell mr. wolf, you have made a wonderful difference here. you will be sorely missed. the advocacy you do is unfortunately not universally loved. >> thank you very much. i think a few minutes ago, as i greeted you, i spoke about how important your testimony is before the rules committee. justof you represent not $51 billion of american taxpayer spending but really the opportunity for you to bring your hard work, the work you have done to this committee and presented in such a way that we cannot just understand that --erstand the priorities

understand that but understand the priorities. normally you come to for full rules committee. anything you have in writing will be entered into the record. i like to yield time to the gentleman from virginia. if you could pull the michael city appeared you're on tv.

-- if you could pull the mike closer to you. if you are on tv. >> [indiscernible] -- including increased funding by the fbi to continue counterterrorist programs and to

prevent and investigate cyber .ntrusions the justice department brought a case against five chinese individuals on cyber attack, which is very positive. funding for the state local justice grant programs is reduced over all but high-priority programs continue also -- to burn. and the current funding for violencequest against women programs and for --fting eea testing backlogs for basic scientific research and science education through innovative and competitiveness that contribute to long-term economic growth, for the national science foundation the bill includes seven point $4 billion to set the groundwork of the development of new technologies and the support of science and education programs.

bill includes 17 point $9 billion, an increase of $100 billion for aeronautics research and it also supports the forming flight milestone crew vehicles. proposed cuts to nasa's science missions. i want to thank you. very closelyd together on all of these issues and i want to thank him before the great close working relationship. that, i yield back. you are here.ted welcome. >> i am honored to be able to be here before the rules committee and those you chairman and the ranking member best be even more

honored to subside chairman wolf. i haven't set aside him for many years as he has shepherded this bill through the process. number of years without a bill that is bipartisan. he provided extraordinary leadership here. he is championing a major effort and ahout the country number of items worth to mention the indictment in terms of safe to-- i think it is say none of this would've happened without his assistance. for many years around this issue, frank wolf was in the lead. has been an american first and every single incident.

even though he may be on the other team he has been a leader for our country. the bill is $51.2 billion. there are significant numbers and here is what is important to our country. i want to talk with law enforcement justice department investment, because it is important. today complimenting -- complemented chairman wolf and myself are what we have done. each ofto make sure these agencies throughout doj, vacancies can be filled. mr. wolf has been the strongest advocate for the fbi, dea, and all the other law enforcement entities.

these ftethat positions are filled. the most particular importance to me is the youth mentoring program. that is something you have been quite interested in and supportive of. and allnd girls club the other youth entering those -- because they have been able to fill out these programs over the years and because of both the president posture west the chairman makes an investment in -- weuntry's future launched the first ever high-priority initiative. it has artie produced very important objectives in terms of bringing 20 federal agencies

together, having them lay out a disruptive path forward in terms breaking then, code on some of the 600 plus diseases, on manufacturing the in terms of repatriating some of the jobs -- that were lost. this, thet my case on nasa investment. space technology, 600 plus billion dollar investment. accounts, education accounts, so very important. we have put together a bill that i think as we go to the floor of -- ofuse will be proud

the house we will be proud to support. of course with the national weather service also getting a here to both the satellite program the chairman mentioned but to other forecasting acted cheese. it has been a pleasure to work with frank wolf. we are going to move this bill to conclusion this year. even though it is his last bill it is not the last we're going to hear of frank wolf on the critical issues of the day. >> thank you very much. i would first like to ask a question should gentleman, mr. wolf. you have had initiatives during the years you -- you have helped us and other efforts. in particular with this cjs, you have put your hand on this. your colleague has said, "great job."

thing i need to know looking , we canto next year follow the tracking. that is an issue in which you have excelled in. if you can take just a minute and give me my viewpoints i may follow this through. >> i think the area of the fbi, every memberd urge to see it. every major american company the chinese are stealing from. it actually saved lives in

mississippi and other places. also the human trafficking, just a northern virginia alone we had see helpingup to women were sexually trafficked in northern virginia. 81 places. i had a group asked me to go on with sexualng .rafficking many of these jobs have been taken out and now the chinese government is fragile. the chinese people want freedom. china will probably nationlargest christian

in the world. ready to change this government and say it is time to bring business back into america. always on the brain, you can't talk to somebody who hasn't had a loved one with all timers aziz, parkinson's, tumors and with regards to the brain these dish couple of issues but issues. >> we spoke about nasa missions, $600 million and what you're looking for them to accomplish with their mission. can you talk to me at about that? >> it is important our country have an asset at the forefront of technology and innovation.

we have prioritized low earth orbit travel to the administration and congress's cooperation. soon the flying crew. i was on the floor of mission roverl when the mars landed after months of travel. is the a human on mars goal. it is going to take a lot of know-how. need to investment we make as a country. it is not so much what we find in space but finding our way to technologies that enhance america possibility to

lead globally. side some of this for too many years. we are very pleased with the now.tments made there is a lot for us to do if we want to in spot -- inspire our kids. knows -- what we know inspires them to space exploration and human spaceflight. they will study math and science if our country points the way. them i spent time with lamar smith on a regular basis. -- >> i spent time with lamar smith on a regular basis.

i will remember my favorite , the rocket boys. that is a generation i grew up in. lamarr much chairman smith, is well aware that we need to get a vision out there of math and science and the at -- the attributes they are in. i appreciate each of you working .o find those initiatives i think it can get us back on a stem attribute where people understand what we are trying to do. i think we have gotten away from seeing these things. inspector erskine passed away a week or so ago. watched nasa and these

attributes of hard work and honesty and moving forward in this. i do appreciate you paying attention to that and encouraging that. thank you so much. them i appreciate you recognize me. i want to thank our colleagues for the work they have put in to this bill. therticularly appreciate cooperative nature of the presentation that was made here today. i am a huge fan of frank wolf. a wolf and a frank andy fox in the house together. hopefully we can continue that tradition. we all know chairman office to a fantastic job in his time here

in the house. i appreciate the emphasis on nasa and on stem programs, as somebody who has been pushing the skills significantly and knowing we have a lot of jobs out there that aren't being in this country or people with the kind of background that the various stem programs have presented. maybe they can do a better job of filling them. i think the money would be could doent if we something to consolidate those programs and possibly get to students even earlier than we do now. someone who has spent a lot of time in education over the years, i know that is an area

where we truly need to be working. emphasis youthe have put up this. recognize a to guest i have here to today, reverend charlie martin. i asked me a few minutes ago if you would like to sit in a little bit on the rules committee meeting and he said that he would. i also have javier sosa, whose ross's constituents. he is the and and in an engine ship program with me. this is not his first time at the rules committee. a glutton fory punishment.

i am delighted to have pastor martin girl here. -- pastor martin here. he lives way out of the country. here.elighted he is he is a very astute person. i am he's spending some time here with us. and i have no questions yield back. >> thank you, mr. chairman. i want to add my welcome. irony, --ge twist of was sentenced to prison for a straw purchase of guns she made. she had given it to --

he killed his sister, two on christmas eve in rochester two years ago. it may seem really sad that the , to ask thaty have they notify the bureau of alcohol and firearms. don't understand the logic behind allowing something like that. out fewer people are buying guns but the people who buy guns are buying more of them. we are particularly set in our district. i don't think they're going to be happy to find out something

like that was turned down by this committee. i hope we can do better than that. idea that it would burden small businesses, i can assure businesses would have appreciated the burden. you wanted to say something? >> there was an amendment offered. under the rule we seek, the open rule, it will be brought up and aired it -- and aired again on the floor. if there is an attempt by the leadership of the committee to try to work through some of the -- thises around this was fully debated.

this was an action the administration had taken which i support. congress has to be able to work .ts will it may not add up in the same column we wanted to at the end of the day. >> it is important to try. >> he have to very good. thank you vote -- both. >> thank you very much. >> thank you. i was also going to congratulate the majority for pushing for an open role. i do not have anything. it means a lot to me that folks do as much work as you all do on the appropriations committee and you do not come here and say, we are the best of the best and we have perfected it so there is nothing for anybody else in cono add.

to let it fall where in a may. i appreciate that again today. thank you both. >> thank you very much. i think both of you for your presentation. appreciative of many of the measures they have put together. i have two concerns i would like to ask them about. one is of the $15 million cut in .egal services i understand our fiscal dynamics in this country, as do all members in congress. understand we have to make priority and determination. but i know the good the legal services program does in this nation.

i will be specific about florida. in an article about today's newspapers in florida, the discussion is ongoing regarding the factories cuts -- none of these cuts are to take place and legal services are going to have to put people out of work. florida, as many states in the nation, i specifically know about florida, it does an incredible amount of pro bono work through members of the florida bar. the florida bar also has a foundation. it, along with state funds,

which i might add were also out of the state budget legal services, were cut. as far as what the state offers in this arena. a proposal, which i do not have strong feelings about as member of the bar, 260 five dollars, and they have been that way for a very long time, and a proposal to come up with an additional $100 or member, is being discussed on both sides, people for and against it. some of those funds would doubtless help the foundation, which is nearly complete because of its support of legal services. alluld like to know how you came to that determination. more important is that issue.

us know millions of americans live in coastal regions. we know the storm surge and rise in sea level increase the likelihood of coastal flooding. and am i correct it is more than one third of 37% difference tween the administration's request? i hesitate to get too far into the weeds on this business about

climate. one of my colleagues in the united states senate has set off a good deal of controversy regarding his comments, part of which he has walked back, regarding climate. as a person who has been born and raised in florida, and with the deterioration of the coast, witnessing substantial increasing in flooding, relating miami, past weekend, in miami beach, hollywood, florida, counts as other places -- countless other places, where we experience a rather substantial increase, i do not know whether it is the moon or the mountain or what is causing it, and i am not about the business of trying about into a discussion

whether humans are anybody else caused it. the fact is, it is happening. cutfact is, your committee research in this arena and i would like to know why as each of you would if you would be kind enough to address it. >> it is basically a zero sum game. were given an allocation and for every dollar we were given from one place, we take away from another place. the funding for the national science foundation is at an all-time high. it is never been higher.

if we fall behind, chinese made eat us back to the moon and may beat us back to mars. funding above the administration request on human trafficking. for a young woman or anyone to be taken in and exploited so we are above their -- we are above violence against women. for too long, i think there has been a mix. it is a zero sum game. we have tried to treat everyone as fairly as we possibly can. at the end of the day, we are given so much of an allocation and everything we have to do fits into that allocation. if nasa is behind, we are in trouble. lastly, the national weather service. many people, before they go to bed, look at the weather to see what it is here it many people were saved in mississippi, alabama, and many other parts of the nation. in oklahoma. the priorities

based on how much money we have. >> let me say it like this. we are in a process in which the administration has made a proposal. the house will work its way on many categories, our proposal is above the administration's request. or nationalrch weather service or minority business development, i could go through a list where it is above. then there are cases where it is below. and there are places where real priorities have been determined. human trafficking has a major increase in the bill. safety has got a major increase flying in the safety. process, there is a process that will emanate with a

final bill. i can tell you as we sit here, the corporation will be in a stronger position than it is today when we join with the to have a final bill. there is a process where the house has the majority and that majority has priorities area we have been able to find a way where we can put together some democratic priorities and come up with a good bill. or sonot a perfect bill other people would set down and come to, but it is the beginning of the process. the senate will pass the bill. hasou look at how this happened with legal services over these years i and ranking member, i think we will be in a better position when we come to the end of the road than we might be at this moment. it is a substantial improvement

over where the bill was at subcommittee as we go forward now. not deny what either of you said. i have a key appreciation and appreciate you all are operating with a zero sum, finite amount of money. i understand that. the problem i have and will continue to have -- and while i am appreciative of what you have if i were on the committee, probably not out of any parochial interest, but because i believe it is important in the environment we are in with russia and china, especially russia, now having said that at the end of 2020, we will not be able to use the rockets -- they are inclined to with theto go forward

thought going there. aloneome down to the fact that a lot of poor people cannot afford lawyers and a lot of poor people need lawyers. i would have argued somewhere that i could find funds to come out of other areas of commerce and justice to ensure legal services would be fully funded. i appreciate where you're coming from. in the environment we are in, headed to the 2014 elections, i am not sure that dance will stand up to the tune previously.

i cannot express to the two of theor anyone how important coastline of the united states of america are very not just florida, but the entirety of our coastline. i defy anyone to tell me they are being built up in a substantial way. look over and was on the left side and able to see probably -- . would look north it is amazing how many times i have lived there and how much of their has been soil. all of our efforts. i am not kidding you. i tell the people, and

my senate friends, he evidently does not live in miami anymore because all he has to do is the there. he will see the flooding that takes place in an area he represents. i do not know how it got caused, but it is happening. that happening needs to be abated. the other way i know we can do it is with the kinds of things you have all done in research and other areas. i have made my statement and that is my story, and i am sticking to it. i voted foran and simpson bowles. is because we have not come to grips with how to rebalance the fiscal ship of the country in a

way in which we can make the investment we need to make. we will not be able to leave the continue to protect all the vital interests of the country. operate at a 51 point $2 billion allocation. within the construct, this is the bill we are presenting. class i understand what you're saying. i understand where the two of you, who i would not lay any accusing finger to be hesitant to do what is necessary to help people in this country. i want to share with you that statistics prove just about anything. to turn away from where you are and to make a brief mention of the fact the cops program, which i also know has done an awful in our community in

the country, is also being cut. just to highlight something, and begin to wonder, we dodged the issue. ingetting our fiscal house order, we have to make an determination as to whether or not we want to pay now or later. when the deal goes down, there are people in this country who have benefited substantially from the policies we have enunciated here. i will give you an example of something that just causes me agony beyond reproach. the president proposed in several of us and dallas both of you, believe that all children in america ought to have an opportunity to have the experience of going to kindergarten. i saw a statistic this past weekend. if it is true, then every hedge fund person in this country stands accused of not wanting to

pay the necessary taxes that would allow for that. , oneedge fund managers month of their salary, would pay for the entirety of the kindergarten program. we can keep putting all the money in the hands of a few liberals and conservative rich , and i will tell them they will eventually -- they all have bodyguards, but they will tod a lot more bodyguards protect this country, their country, that they pretty much outand manipulate the hell of us in the first place. that is all. i yield back. >> the german yields back his time. the gentleman from florida is recognized. the gentleman seeks no time. the general more and -- the gentlewoman from florida.

whosic shout out to fry, has been such a leader on human rights issues. we have had a good working relationship in the foreign chairs committee and group he cochairs with our colleague, human rights commission. he has been a leader throughout his tenure in con -- in commerce. -- congress. we will miss his solid values and principles stance on issues that impact the downtrodden and those who feel like they have no voice. he gives them a voice. thank you for everything you have done. toa personal note, i want point out two of our great interns who are here if i might. megan from virginia, a good ,ispanic name, and cameron another hispanic name there from florida.

know why they are all in debbie's tease district, but thank you for being with us today and helping us out all the time. thank you. >> thank you peer we are delighted you're here with us today. you need to, peer more often. lewisville,n from texas, is recognized. >> thank you, mr. chairman hear it i also want to add to the accolades for the chairman. he has certainly been a friend for the last 10 years. we will miss you, frank, in your role as subcommittee chairman. can i ask a question about title appropriations bill, which deals with space exploration? mr. hastings made reach at that we will point where our ability to co-travel with russia to the space station will be exhausted

and will we have a way of moving our personnel back and forth from what has been a significant investment made by the subcommittee over the years and the state station, clearly receives my tenure in congress, but it is a significant investment. we want to be able to see our scientists does it in that endeavor. >> we may have a problem. the administrator, when he testified at that time, he did not feel we would have a problem. if you look at a comet from the russians in the last couple weeks, they will cut off 2020. we have funded these programs at a high level. but it could be a problem. i think the problem several years ago when a certain rocket i think charlie would be able to give you a

better example. he believes they will work it out and this is important to russia as it is to us. it could be a serious problem. i believe we are fasting moving to a position where, if confronted with a problem, america will be in a position to respond. to spacex in california with cargo rocket for our humantted occupants and they have been testing out the system's. i think in virginia, they're also developing the capabilities and doing testing. one of the things that might be helpful to our country is to be presented with challenges. the idea that american ingenuity

cannot figure out how to take human beings to and from the international space station is death by the fact. we have a shuttle and we know to do it. we made a conscious decision to move in a different direction. it had to be based on examination commissioned under the previous administration because of safety issues. the shuttle would have to be flipped, put to bed, because it was getting old. even during that whole time, we were flying most astronauts through cargo. the buildout and stay stations using the shuttle. in a positionl be to deal with this challenge. i think the other issue confronted here is the use of the atlas rocket, the russian-made rocket, and whether

or not we will use an at the endde engine of the day will be another issue going forward. this is a challenge and that is when you get a chance to figure out, that is what adversity is about. it helps you to figure out who you are and i believe we will meet this challenge. i's i appreciate -- >> appreciated. the gentleman yields back his time. you both have not only presented in a thoughtful and articulate way, but i believe andrepresented your work defended it very well. you and i know there are people who serve on this committee and who serve as your colleagues, that make your

job even more difficult. to defend what you do in the context you have put it in, especially doing it together, is important. it is important for the american who not only have confidence whether it be in the department of justice or the secretary of state and the in theent of state, or commerce department appeared each of these are final and to the success of the great nation. it makes me proud to know both of you are not just working together, but having to find better ways to do more with less. thank you for your presentation today. if you have anything you want to leave in writing, you can. reverend martin, thank you for taking the time to be with us

today. we normally have a lot of fun up here today. it is just fun. we are delighted you are here. and, for the interns, megan and cameron, who are here with eliana, thank you for helping us with work today. free lunch today. you probably did not even get lunch. but i do appreciate you coming up and trying to work with us. so that we would be able to accommodate, including our next two witnesses, dear friends of this committee and your colleagues that were here. we are delighted you are here. i see you have got your name on the front of your work. i know often, we do put our names on our work here this will in reference to your final

term in congress, your service, not just to the people of your district, but the people in this country. i want to join them. as we go around the room, i am sure colleagues will acknowledge your strenuous support of the men and women in the military, the purposes of thoughtful content, as you go and sell what we do with the military and work with them on making things better. we are delighted. i see you on a regular basis and i want to say i have watched you on tv and you both represent this body well. you thoughtful, careful in your thoughts, and, i think, meticulous in the product we expect to see today. if you have anything in writing, without objection, that will be entered into the record. >> thank you very much. thank you for those very kind

words. ranking member slaughter, thank you for meeting today to discuss our authorization act for he does not back down one bit from his positions. he argues very strongly for the things he believes in. we almost had a blowup in our markup, and we backed off and fix it. think ms. slaughter, your site should be very happy with

them as the ranking member. >> [inaudible] >> will thank you. we really have had a great and i am hopeful you will continue that as we go forward. members of our committee and i amunderstand that we reae working for the men and women in uniform and are really working for the national defense of this nation. everybody on the committee understands and that is how it has been for 50 years. we passed the bill every year. sometimes, people think that because we have done it for 50 years, it is automatic and we do it and it just happens. -- i think we have great staff and they do a

tremendous job in preparing things so that when we finally get to markup, it looks easy. it is not. it is because they do a tremendous job of laying the groundwork. that is all of our staff. fact, if adam and i were in the room and all of our staff was there, we could not tell you few, ones, past the first we do not deal in that. i am proud of the bipartisan, transparent, and inclusive process our committee undertakes each year. bipartisan result of oversight each year. it was made available five days in advance of our markup. streamed live. andmendment by democrats 105 by republicans. of those, 154 were adopted.

a committee passed out with unanimous support, 51-0. one member left early and went home and went to bed. time, we lookt of forward to your questions and i will provide a short summary of the bill. authorize we will billions of dollars for national defense and an additional $79 billion for overseas contingency operations consistent with the budget agreement that maintains the ban on earmarks. provides veterans and families with the care and support they need, deserve, and have earned. it'd -- it continues to advance efforts to and sexual assault in the military and kurds increase forof-pocket spending military families. it provides more fighters with the resources they need to survive and enduring mission in

afghanistan, to continue to pressure al qaeda and affiliates. the bill gives them limited resources and reserves key capabilities and ensures armed forces are ready and capable to meet current threats while preparing for future challenges. the bill guards against achieving false savings -- it recognizes we must get more dollar.for the recently initiated a comprehensive defense reform effort. one thing i want to say, and i face very difficult choices this year based on the button shall, based on the lack , and my principal i tried to stick to in pushing forward this year is to keep as

as we could peer we were given a budget by the secretary and the chairman of joint chiefs that cut more than we cut. understand -- what i'm hoping is next year hopefully we will do something about sequestration. it is very difficult. i look forward to a run -- robust debate. this allows for a full debate on national security matters. i also asked the rule provide all necessary waivers for prompt consideration and that the rule provides for at least one hour of general debate. i asked the rule provides for amendments to be considered an block. thank you for the ability to

testify here today. i look forward to working here with you and members of colleagues in getting past the 53rd consecutive defense authorization. >> thank you. we are delighted, mr. smith, that you're here. the gentleman is now recognize. >> thank you and i appreciate it. great to work with for the last four years. it is a point of pride in our committee that we work in a bipartisan fashion. neither of those things are easy. he continued -- it is on. sorry.

i am always honored to be able to cosponsor the amendment. after he served, congress very well, and particularly this large, i agreend with the bill. he continues to fund our troops, who are still at war in afghanistan. i like this will because it recognizes challenges right now are primarily from terrorism. also cyber security threats. it sets the right priorities in that regard. the chairman correct the points out the challenge of not regard going forward. the challenges that we last then we thought it was going to be. you can argue, but three years ago, we thought we would have a lot more money this year than we do. certainly, if sequestration year and sticks around for the full eight years, there will be an enormous amount of money than what was planned

for three years ago. we have to make changes. the ministration put forward a series of changes. they made reductions in certain compensation. they were going to lay up 11 ships from the navy, and several proposals to try to make sure. committeest part, the government of all those changes, found the money creatively for 2015. the problem is it creates a bow wave. 2016 and 2017, we will not been -- be able to do that. i think as we move forward in the process, if they do not like the cuts the administration will put out there, we will have to put out alternatives. for 20istration asked billion additional dollars and acknowledged the budget they were handed to for the budget agreement for this body two

years ago or a year ago, for 2014 and 2015, did not give them a month -- enough money. so money is not forthcoming they will have to live within the budget presented to them. i do not think it is helpful for congress to duck every single one of those hard choices. i will have two amendments on that. i know brack is not popular and i know of no rational argument against doing it other than, i do not want them to close a base in my district. when you are facing the types of cuts the military is facing, understandably do not do the brack, the estimate came out they that it is $6 billion -- a year the military spends on installations and facilities they do not need. the money comes right out of readiness, red out of our troops. that is a choice i will have to make. i am also offering up an amendment on the navy's plan to lay up 11 cruisers and ships in

.rder to save up if we want 11 carriers, we have got to save up somewhere. by not doing that, we are rating the ship modernization account to keep them going. it has $2 billion in it and it will not years from now if we do not do this. there are choices to be made. i look forward to the debate on the floor. that underlying this bill, it is the support for our troops and families. passing the bill continues to give that support to do that. to yourorward questions. >> thank you. both of you spend a lot of time dealing on issues notwithstanding with the military and also with the men and women and their families. i would note each of you, each year, you, peer and speak

favorably about not just the interaction, but favorably about how proud we are of those men and women. , youw during the hearings have regular visitors. i would like to knowledge, if i can, a gentleman who has just come into the a part of the hearing, to watch the hearing. he is from the united states army. a specialist. us and for those of you who may be watched on c-span, this young man who has walked in here appears to be a double amputee. he is a man who served our nation and i am delighted he is here today. we will not have him come make testimony today, but him being here on behalf of not just his branch of service, the united states army, but also

representing what i grew up with an all of us understand the 82nd airborne as an and foreign component of our fighting force. and the men and women representing of the united states military today. specialist, we want to thank you for being here today. the debate going on is one where we are trying to determine policies as we move forward in this next year. the gentleman from washington and the gentleman from california, they are bringing together a bill which was unanimously reported out of committee. it is important to note, as you are here today representing the military, i think it is important for us to note we are trying to work together. the military looks at congress to do the funding, to work on the policy, and i am delighted you are here in joining us.

thank you very much, sir. i've got a question for each of you. mr. chairman, over the last few years, your colleague on lastpriations, and you year, spoke about dod in the medical records as it is related tothem moving the transition the v.a.. can you give us an update about that? not the v.a. side, but the transfer of records and the process going on? the question is for both of you but mr. chairman, i would like to yield to you first. >> do you have any new -- >> we have had a couple of secretariesh both and both committees.

thing toery difficult cut through the bureaucracy. jurisdiction is with the veterans affairs committee. the problems we have been reading about lately. but it seems to me, it is a very simple thing. when somebody joins the military, a record is created. it would seem it would be possible, when they are discharged, to just transfer the record to the v.a.. for some reason, it is not that easy to do. are now, bob tells me, moving our records lectronically to the v.a. that is a big step in the right direction. memberswhen you talk to of the veterans committee, you that is a huge

brack is he over there. trying to get the mall is part of the problem. dachshund them all is part of the problem. >> we are not where we need to be. systems do not properly communicate with each other. that is true. we're working on the problem and we have a lot of progress to make. we have some but there is a long way to go. it ought to be seamless. one of the hardest problems is when you move out of the dod, benefits transfer over to the da and we have got to have a better getting things over there. electronically, we just have to at least once a year, when you,. , i know you hear from members about their own ideas and their

about things they hear from people back home. i would like to, once again, without being on record, to tell you i spent a good bit of time in dallas texas -- dallas, texas, with military, people who have served honorably. was not back to the world were to record. it was over the last four or five years in their service, what theydocument have done. and move forward. more meanings than i. i appreciate the time you do spend on this issue. until it is not just resolved, but until it works the way you think it ought to. skeptical of the department of defense and the v.a. in their effort to

effectively deliver what they said they would do. either one a hit on of them. it is a work in progress i hope you and the committee and staff knows this, stay after this. peepers --oo many too many people who want and need this fixed faster. faster. of doing this right. i hope your attention to that detail will be accomplished. i look forward to watching the results of what you do. i know you want it just as much as i do. one you canatter is either comment on or not, but our great nation was rocked once again when the occurrence of the military shooting occurred in fort hood, texas. happened up here two miles from the capital.

it is happening in and on a military bases. the very much hopeful department of defense will have a chance to come up with better answers. think it is not surprising sometimes that a person or two have lost their way. and take it out and call it workforce violence. i understand that. 12 people is a problem. this week during the break, i had a chance to be with a lot of men and women. a good number of them were from california. as always, from texas. recognize they were not in a war theater, but a war zone. them to aevery one of

person had their weapons on them. there has to be a look of thecy because problem. that policy, i would hope, would be something you would be a part of. i do not know the status of that. either of you would speak at this time, i would welcome that. let thee, i will gentleman speak at this time. thank you very much. i would refer to the gentleman in georgia. the gentleman is recognized. >> thank you both for your work. we do not have any bills unanimously reported out of committee. i know that does not come easy. it comes hard. i'm holding the administrative policy. it is the longest message i have seen in my three years here. >> it was just as long last

year, if that makes you feel better. class i would have to go back -- >> i would have to go back. i would especially focuses trouble with it here at whether ormonde money can be spent to move guantánamo back to the u.s. . whether or not compensation should be slowed for men and women in uniform, whether or not changes should be made to the system.rd i want to touch on that one for a moment. i have heard a lot from back who love this country and want to participate and do whatever is right. i wonder if we are dealing with a budget driven strategy or a strategy driven budget. we prefer it when it comes to the national stream of america.

certainly --ani wonder they are a vital part of making that a success. i do not know the challenges you making an entire authorization bill. with all of the competing pressures upon you come men and women from back home who you know have a love for the country, a love for armed forces, to speak out and say, we are concerned and moving too fast and too far. we want -- that you all have been willing to listen to that discussion, i am grateful for that. >> the problem on the budget up front,as i said the ministration has said they want more money. the budget is impacting our strategy at this point. is a choice we all may.

i turned sequestration off tomorrow if i could but it is there. they have to make decisions in response to that. put forward a plan in terms of personnel and moving around inir assets, that is set place to say $1230 over five years. i have fielded several phone state and what i said is, if you do not like that plan, give us another one and they've the same amount of money. that is where we are. to getnot in a position rid of cuts and find savings. that is the only challenge we have. it is a budget challenge. , sequestration will keep coming for years. if we do not want to see that happen, we will have two make changes. >> this'll be the last of the bill i will get to visit with the chairman.

it made my three years in congress easier, knowing your hand was at the helm. of many veryone difficult issues we struggle through and having your voice butr was always a comfort -- because for all the different directions we are pulled in, i've never seen you pulled him but one direction. on behalf ofating the -- on behalf of the men and women who promise to keep this country safe every day. i'm grateful for you for that single focus and for your counsel during the street -- these years i have had in congress. >> i told you by am leaving congress but not the fight. breath in me,ave i will argue for more money for defense. i look around the world and i am scared.

you can look in the middle east and what putin is doing in russia and the problems we are having in china. daily whenle almost i'm here in washington come into my office from around the world, defense ministers and other legislators, -- and may have the same question. before, we made a pledge the election that we would cut everything we understand. we are in serious financial problems. pledgeublicans wrote a that we would cut everything but homeland security. they said no, everything is on the table. not all 87 but enough of them. we have since that time cut a chilean dollars on defense. for the last couple of years and going forward the next eight or 10 years, you do not make those

without seriously cutting our ability to defend ourselves and our interest around the world. and the secretary marine in and they were explaining to me how we are growing our navy. globalretary said we are debt growing our fleet and i said tuesday that to me. tried to explain cutting the 11 cruisers out of our 22 cruisers. we're just moved -- we are --ing them off-line and then at the end of the day, we have -- we will have 11 less. i said no, we will modernize 11 and put them back in as we take the other 11. i turned it said, how nations do we have. he said to 83 and i said how

about next year? he said to 73. next year, we are supposed to be and 330. have 313 a lot more ships than we have or are going to have. the same thing. we looked at the pacific and the president talked about a pivot to the pacific. everybody comes in and says, what does that mean question mark your leaving us and leaving europe behind? no. it means we will also put more theasis on the pacific. commander explained to us the size of the pacific. you can take all the landmass on the earth and put it in the pacific and have enough room for another africa and another australia. we will take care of that with less ships. next year, we'll have 130 days

where he has no aircraft carrier. ways we call him problems. of the japanese legislature, in and he is laid out to me how much the chinese has been approaching their airspace and how much it has exhilarated in the last two years. he showed me a chart. it has been four times in the last year and a half. it went from about four or five years ago, 218 times they had to scramble their just for this year, 400. he says it is to the point now, as high as it was in the cold war. their concern and want to beef up their defense and ability to defend themselves. we will be think there if they need him. taiwan is concerned, south korea is concerned. it is a very difficult situation we find ourselves in.

i voted for sequestration. we had a choice. most of our votes are not black and white. or can hope for a good thing a bad thing. it is choices that are difficult . if we had not voted for that, the government would have shut down. by leadership we would not have sequestration. well, we got it and we got it in spades. we are paying the price. those of you who will be here, i am leaving. i will tell you, if you do not take sequestration next year, and if we have to -- next year, i've had a lot of members, to me and they're very concerned about the national guard, about the reserves, about the work. they are concerned about drones. they're concerned about their bases. a lot of things. all i can say is, as bad as it is now, next year, it will not even be comparable.

will, next year, hollow out our military. i just hope that in some way, you will be able to work out something and change that next year. beerwise, we will no longer the power we are right now. >> the chairman will join me in holding you to that commitment that as you leave the body, you do not leave that fight. leave that contact information as you walk out the door. i am sure you will find your phone ringing on a regular basis. as particularly the younger members try to struggle for that. thank you so much. mr. chairman, i yield back. >> the gentleman is recognized. >> i thank you both. i do not know if you know it or not, but last week, i praise you to high heaven on the floor. i hope that has not hurt your

reputation. appreciatedmuch your statement about how we did not need more benghazi studies. debating this select committee. i understand one of the committees will do it yet again. i do not know how people get work done when you are hostile -- constantly calling them before committees hear over and over again. today, i understand exactly what you're saying. to we are obliged by treaty fight for japan? and south korea? and australia, for reasons i've never understood. >> we have several treaties. >> right. they are worried we will not be there. i am worried how we will pay for it. i am really concerned about that because we have schools and highways crumbling all over the united states. we cannot have high speed rails

anywhere in america. we are so far behind in our air words. we have one airport from the ground up in united hates, 1972. staples and then denver. we neglected ourselves so that we -- so badly. george bush said in the gulf war if we're going to fight it, you have to give us money. they help pay for it. maybe we ought to look at something like that again. do we need more aircraft carriers, do you think? you want more care -- aircraft carriers? how many do we have already? >> we have 11. by law, we're supposed to have 11. cut one.not >> still being produced. a and you too. i understand those were recommended by the administration to do away with.

>> [indiscernible] >> do we need those? i remember they said, is going time they could ever really have use that to anyone's advantage was through vietnam. too late when we started building them. i do appreciate and have known ever since i got here that if you build everything for defense, about 400 congressional districts, it will be very difficult to try to cut the budget. >> i am reading a series of books right now on world war ii. we were all in in world war ii. i was a kid. from a small military to a large military. as the beginning of the second world war. qwest very quickly, we did that. but we lost a lot of people. we were putting soldiers -- it just -- it makes you want to cry

reading those people who got sent over there knowing to northern africa and then italy and then ebay. a number of people we lost because of lack of training, lack of leadership, lack of resources. there were people whose guns did not land. you know, we do not want that again. nobody wants that. and yet, we did it again in korea. then every time after a work, we have taken our military down and then we pay the price and they pay the price afterwards. they have to kind of built back up. we build 86,000 planes in one year in world war ii. >> we do not need that now. qwest knows what we need? can watch this markup in its entirely at c-span.org. we will even out to take you live to the u.s. house.