the clerk: iraq trained and equip fund $750 million to remain available until september 30 017. the chair: for what purpose does the gentleman from minnesota seek recognition? mr. nolan: i have an amendment at the desk. . the clerk: amendment offered by mr. nolan, after the dollar amount insert reduced to zero dollars. page 135, line two, insert increased by $715 million. the chair: pursuant to house resolution 303 the gentleman from minnesota and a member opposed each will control five minutes. the chair recognizes the gentleman from minnesota. mr. nolan: i yield myself such time as i may consume. the chair: the gentleman is recognized. mr. nolan: mr. chairman, i'd like to begin by taking a moment to thank chairman frelinghuysen and ranking member mr. costa.

as one who served a long time ago when everything came up under open rule, we don't see as much of that. i can't commend both of you enough. the country should know there are no two more highly regarded people serving in this chamber than our chairman and our ranking member. with that, mr. chairman, i have an amendment that will save us a lot of money and quite frankly end a sad chapter in american history. my amendment eliminating funding for the i-- iraqi training and equiping program. the administration as we all know is urging strategic patience with iraq. the truth is, we've had a failed strategy there from the very beginning.

and the fact is that this is a century-old conflict. the fact is, we have no friends in this conflict. the history of it is clear. you know, i happen to be up in the tora bora back in the 1970's and learned we were funding and training and equiping the mujahedin to fight against the russians under the notion that the enemy of our enemy is our friend. well, we were wrong. they morphed into al qaeda and were the ones who bombed the world trade center. then we supported saddam hussein in the war against iran. we knew he used chemical weapons because we had the sales receipt, we had supplied them. we deposed him and then put the shiites in power. the chee shiites proceeded to tell the christians and jews and catholics, get out of town or

we'll kill you they shut down the churches and synagogues. then we desaied -- decided we'd have a sunni awakening. that was providing arms and weapons to the sunnis because the shiites were persecuting them system of they ultimately morphed into what we now have as isil. now here we are, we find ourselves fighting the shiites in yemen, we're supporting the shiites in iraq, we're not sure if we're for them or against them in syria. the simple truth is, we have been on every side of this conflict. we really have no friends in this conflict. inevitably, our good will, our good intentions have resulted in the arms and the weapons, as judge poe just said ending up in the hands of our enemies and they use them against us. the fact is, we spent $3

trillion on this conflict. think about that. $3 trillion. for $1 trillion of that we could have graduated every kid in america from college and vocational school debt-free. for $1 trillion of that think about it. we could have rebuilt our transportation and infrastructure system in this country. for another $1 trillion we could have given the americans a tax break. well mr. chairman, instead of 13 years of war, the administration now admits we have no strategy. the secretary of testifies admits that the iraqi army has no will to fight isil. no will. when they took over ramadi, all they did was growl at them and they ran like rabbits and they left their humvees, they left their tanks, left all their weapons and we resupplied isil once again. to use those weapons against us. well, the weapons we have

supplied the people we have trabed, have ended up in enemy hands time and time again and been used gens us. mr. chairman colleagues, you know the old definition of insanity is repeating the same behavior repeating the same behavior, repeating the same behavior over and over and expecting some different results. the to the paraphrase the old serenity prayer, let me say mr. president, and colleagues, let us change what we have the power, the wisdom and the courage to do. before we bankrupt this country. thank you, mr. chairman. i reserve the balance of my time. the chair: the gentleman's time has expired. the chair recognizes the gentleman from new jersey. mr. frelinghuysen: i rise in opposition to the gentleman's amendment.

may i say i share quite a lot of his sentiments. the chair: the gentleman is recognized for five minutes. mr. frelinghuysen: i said on a numb of occasions, when you put the defense bill forward, sometimes you have to support things that the command for the chief, the president wants that you're highly dubious about. and i've been highly conflicted and this train and equip. at times i think the enemy is doing a better job training and equiping their own than we are. at times it's been deplorable. i want you to know i do support this effort. let me just put the meat on the bones to maybe even make your point but in reality, tell a little truth about the program. the iranian -- the iraq train and equip program provides about $750 million in funding and authority to assist military and other forces associated with the government of iraq. including kurdish and tribal forces with a national security

noigs counter isil. we do know in the overall mix and the gentleman from minnesota knows this there are some good guys over there. of course a lot of the good guys have been taken over by the iranians to the south but in reality we do have some good allies in the north with the kurds. so i haven't given up on all parts of iraq. i think we need to continue to support the program and evidently the -- our president does as well. we're sending 400 more advisors over to set up a new base camp in ramadi, in anbar province, to sort of respond to a huge crisis there when that city was taken over. i'd hate to abandon people of iraq without giving it one more try. i'd like to yield to my ranking

member for any thoughts and comments. the chair: the gentleman yields. the chair recognizes the gentleman. mr. visclosky: in a sense, the three of us are agreed in the sense of what's expressed. but i would add that this institution needs to have a resolution defining with some specificity what our projection of force should be as to the disposition of our military personnel and assets. certainly i'm grievously disappointed for those countries in that region and in their lack of clarity and purpose. but also using, you would a religious theme, i was taught that we should have hope in the future and my concern is if we cease this training program for

those who want a change in government, those who want to do the right thing in syria, will lose what shred of hope still exists so for that reason principally join with the chairman in opposition to the gentleman's amendment. i do appreciate your motivation and yield back. mr. frelinghuysen: how much time do i have? the chair: the gentleman has 1 1/2 minutes remaining. mr. frelinghuysen: a few more comments. i said i do work on behalf of the president of the united states, our commander in chief. i have to say i have concerns about our continued investment in pakistan. we debated that. we've had talk about the afghans -- afghan infrastructure fund which has been troubled with projects and this is an ongoing area which has not been troubled-free. but it's interesting, nobody from the white house since the budget was introduced has

reached out to moreltive to defending these programs. i think people of these countries deserve protection and support but it's interesting, we carry the water on these issues and many other issues in this committee but do we get any reinforcements? actually our entire bill has been put together for all our military service without any assistance from those military services to get us awe cross the finish line. i think it's remarkable. the standoffishness the ambivalence about working with us, i think is a total disgrace. but i have to otose -- oppose your amendment and you certainly know more about my sentiments publicly than i expressed in the past. thank you. i yield back. the chair: the gentleman yields back. the gentleman from minnesota is recognized.

the gentleman's time has expired. the question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from minnesota. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, the noes have it. the amendment is not agreed to. the chair recognizes the gentleman from minnesota. >> i ask for a recorded vote. the chair: pursuant to clause 6 of rule 18, further proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from minnesota will be postponed. the clerk will read. the clerk: page 135, line 11. syrian train and equip fund. $600 million to remain available until september 30, 2017. the chair: clerk will suspend. for what purpose does the gentleman from florida seek recognition? >> i have an amendment before

the floor for consideration. the chair: the clerk will report the amendment. the clerk: amendment offered by mr. clawson of florida, page 135, line 13, after the dollar amount insert reduced to zero dollars. page 162, line 25, after the dollar amount insert increased by $600 million. the chair: pursuant to house resolution 303, the gentleman from florida and a member opposed each will control five minutes. the chair recognizes the gentleman from florida. mr. clawson: i would like to yield myself such time as i may consume. the chair: the gentleman is recognized. mr. clawson: i'd like to start tonight by saying that my mother is gravely nil florida this evening and i can't be with her but i want her to know i'm with her right now and i'm always with her. we all want to end u.s. involvement in conflicts where there is no long-term strategy, no vision of success in the end, and a disproportionate sacrifice of our brave military forces,

mr. chairman. u.s. involvement against isis in syria fits this characterization. the administration even admits that there is no comprehensive strategy in place. therefore by amendment we are proposing to defund u.s. support for the syrian rebels and move the funds to the spend regular ducks account. last september, congress allocated $500 million to train and arm syrian rebels. this program however, is fraught with uncertainties and doubt and the launch of the program has been less than impressive. of the 15,000 syrian rebel, we plan to train and equip over a three-year period, so far only about 400 have been vetted and deemed ready. meanwhile, other syrian rebels have either disappeared from the battlefield or defected to extremist factions. and isis has expanded its ground

forces, its operations, and its territories. other jihaddist factions continue to gain strength. the civil war in syria has now resulted in 220,000 syrian deaths and 11.5 million people, over half the population displaced. syria, in syria, the u.s. continues to provide by far the bulk of the military might. most of it air power. it's hard to imagine defeating isis without substantial ground forces to combat it at this point. the defense appropriations bill includes $600 knoll train and arm syrian rebels as part of this needed boots on the ground. but whatever the number of syrian rebels we ult mt.ly introduce into the -- ultimately introduce into the battlefield they alone i believe, are unlikely to turn the tide, nor are those rebels expected to end

the assad government even though that too is one of our stated goals. history has shown that when we arm untested and difficult to vet rebel forces, the weapons we provide too often wind up being aimed at our u.s. troops. i am told that the last time our country funded a foreign war through vicarious fighters was the taliban fighting against the russians in the 1970's. please join us in saying no to additional funding for these untested syrian rebels. unless and until congress receives clear answers to the following questions, where is the accounting for the first $500 million? i don't have it. why isn't the second $600 million, appropriate, funded by other folks in the coalition? what is the objective? what does success look like in the syrian civil war? and does victory require the end

of the assad government? what is the comprehensive strategy for defeating isis in iraq and beyond? in our view, without the answers to these questions, it makes no sense to proceed. it is our job to review and assess. i ask that the funding of the syrian-train -- syrian train and equip fund be accomplished by this amendment to h.r. 2685. . and i acknowledge my deep appreciation for the chairman and acknowledge so many good things in the bill. but it is hard for me to accept this war that is going nowhere. and with that i yield to the gentleman from minnesota. the chair: the gentleman yields. the gentleman from minnesota is recognized. >> mr. chairman, how much time do i have? the chair: 30 seconds. >> wow. i want to -- i'm comblad to join my colleague -- glad to

join my colleague. i have enormous respect for the chairman and the ranking member's good and noble intentions. but again, the fact is we have no friends in these conflicts. the weapons that we send inevitably being used against us i was here during the vietnam war conflict. mr. nolan: and the arguments that we hear today for continuing this involvement is to somehow make something good out of what hasn't been quite so good. and we finally ended that conflict. by cutting off the funds for it. and that's how we're going to end our wars of choice in the middle east. wars of choice that are bankrupting this country and costly in blood and treasury. thank you, mr. chairman. the chair: the gentleman's time has expired. the gentleman from florida voiced. >> i yield back. the chair: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. for what purpose does the gentleman from new jersey seek recognition? mr. frelinghuysen: mr. chairman, i rise in opposition to the amendment. but i'm sure on behalf of everybody on the floor we ex end it -- we extend to mr. clawson our sympathy and hope

that your mother's recovered. will recover. and i'm sure if she has the ability to be watching the television tonight, she's probably very proud of your courageous remarks on the floor. mr. clawson: thanks. mr. frelinghuysen: mr. chairman, while i appreciate the sentiment of the amendment, this is a complicated issue. that's an yunt statement -- that's an understatement. a multifaceted policy with multifaceted policy ramifications that really can't be fully debated in five or 10 minutes. the situation in syria remains highly complicated and complex and poses imminent threats to the united states and allied interests. particularly israel, jordan and iraq. recognizing congressional concerns regarding potential u.s. military involvement in syria, our bill appropriates funds in the account tight 9, that i talked about several --

title 9, that i talked about several hours ago. to train and equip syrians. it also further prohibits the introduction of u.s. military forces into hostilities in syria, except in accordance with the wars powers act. however, this amendment in my judgment goes too far. for it attempts to tie the u.s. government's hands in navigating the complicated situation we or more importantly our allies, israel and jordan, face related to threats emanating from isil in iraq and syria every day. we have to be realistic. there are many countries, including our allies, as well as other groups already involved in syria. this amendment would do nothing to stop the arming of the syrian opposition. what this amendment would do is remove the possibility of the u.s. engaging under any circumstances, even if such engagement would be in the best

interest of the united states or allies. even if at this rate the u.s. -- even at this rate the u.s. is paying just a portion of the cost. i'd like to recognize the ranking member for any comments he may wish to make. the chair: the gentleman yields. the gentleman from indiana is recognized. mr. visclosky: i thank the gentleman for yielding. i also want to express my best wishes for the gentleman's mother. it's hard to oppose a gentleman who went to purdue university. i know he's a very smart individual and my other colleague here from minnesota, i have spoken to our colleagues on the previous amendment, i think people understand my position. and simply would add my voice to the chairman and emphasize this is a very tough problem and we ought to maintain as large a degree of flexibility as we can and i appreciate the chairman's remarks and associate myself with them. the chair: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time.

the gentleman from new jersey is recognized. mr. frelinghuysen: i urge a no vote on this amendment, but certainly i understand the sentiments behind it. i yield back. the chair: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. the gentleman from -- the question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from florida. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, the noes have it. the amendment is not adopt -- is not agreed to. mr. nolan: mr. chairman. the chair: for what purpose does the gentleman from minnesota seek recognition? mr. nolan: on this amendment i ask for a recorded vote. the chair: pursuant to clause 6 of rule 18, further proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from florida will be postponed. the clerk will read. the clerk: page 137, line 9 prorks curement, aircraft procurement, army, $7 9/11 59,073,000 to remain available until september 30, 2018. missile procurement, army $572735,000 to remain

available until september 30, 2018. procurement of weapons and track to combat vehicles, army, $647,630,000 to remain available until september 30, 201. procurement of ammunition, army $431,640,000 to remain available until september 30, 2018. other procurement army, $1,648312,000 to remain available until september 30, 2018. aircraft procurement, navy $722,274,000 to remain available until september 30, 2018. procurement of ammunition, navy and marine corps, $105,459,000 to remain available until september 30, 2018. other procurement, navy $12,186,000 to remain available

until september 30 2018. procurement, marine corps, $234,741,000 to remain available until september 30, 2018. aircraft procurement, air force, $1,297,726,000 to remain available until september 30, 2018. missile procurement, air force $773,638,000 to remain available until september 30, 2018. space procurement, air force, $452,676,000 to remain available until september 30, 2018. procurement of ammunition, air force, $1,673,358,000 to remain available until september 30 2018. other procurement, air force, $7,045,550,000 to remain available until september 30,

2018. procurement, defense-wise, $217,7100,000 to remain available until september 30, 2018 national guard and reserve equipment account $1,500 million to remain available -- $1,500,000,000 to remain available until september 30, 2017. research development test and evaluation research development test and ealthough -- and evaluation, army, $1,500,000 to remain available until september 30, 2017. research development, test and evaluation navy, $217,647,000 to remain available until september 30, 2017. research development test and evool -- evaluation, air force $1,366,242,000 to remain available until september 30, 2017. research development, test and

evaluation defense-wise, $199,264,000 to remain available until september 30, 2017. revolving and management funds, defense working capital funds $88,850,000. other department of defense programs, defense health program, $272,704,000. drug interdiction and counterdrug activities, defense, $275,300,000. joint proim advised explosive device -- joint improadvised explosive device defeat fund, including transfer of funds $443,271,000 to remain available until september 30, 2018. office of the inspector general, $10,262,000. general provisions, this title, section 9001, each amount designated shall be available only if the president designates all such amounts and

transmits such designations to the congress. section 9002, funds made available in this title are in addition to amounts appropriated for the department of defense for fiscal year 2016, including transfer of funds. section 9003 determinations that such action is necessary in the national interest, the secretary, with the approval of the office of management and budget, transfer up to $3,500,000,000 between the appropriations. section 9004, appropriations available for operation and maintenance may be obligated at the time a construction contract is awarded. section 9005, the secretary may purchase for the use by military and civilian employees of the department and the u.s. central command area passenger motor vehicles up to a limit of $75,000 per vehicle. section 9006, not to exceed $10 million to the fund of

commanders emergency response program cerp. section 9007, funds available to the department for the operation and maintenance may be used to provide supplies and other logistical support and stability operations in afghanistan. section 9008, none of the funds appropriated shall be obligated to establish any military installation for the purpose of providing for the permanent stationing of united states armed forces in iraq. section 9009, none of the funds made available may be used in contravention of the laws enacted to implement the united nations convention against torture and other cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment or pun -- punishment. section 9010, none of the funds mable obligated prior to the approval of a financial or activity plan by the afghanistan resources oversight council, aroc, of the department.

section 9011 funds made available may be used to purchase items having an investment unit cost of not more than $250,000. section 9012, $140 million. section 9013, the secretary of defense is authorized in coordination with the secretary of state to provide assistance to the government of jordan supporting security along the border of jordan with syria and iraq. section 9014 $200 million to remain available until september 30, 2016. section 9015, none of the funds made available under the heading operation and maintenance defense-wide for payments under section 1233 of public law 110-181 for reimbursement to the government of pakistan may be available. the chair: the clerk will suspend. for what purpose does the gentleman from texas seek recognition?

mr. poe: i have an amendment at the desk. number 47. the chair: the clerk will report the amendment. the clerk: amendment offered by mr. poe of texas. strike subsection b of section 9015. the chair: pursuant to house resolution 303, the gentleman from texas and a member opposed each will control five minutes. the chair recognizes the gentleman from texas. mr. poe: mr. chairman, i yield myself such time as i may consume. the chair: the gentleman is recognized. mr. poe: this amendment is very simple. it makes it so that the secretary of defense cannot waven the conditions that are in the bill -- waive the conditions that are in the bill to giving money to pakistan. since 2010 congress has put conditions on our aid to pakistan because pakistan frankly can't be trusted. in 2011 pakistan tipped off terrorists who had i.e.d. factories that the u.s. government knew where they were and pakistan tipped off the what ghani network before the pakistan mill tarry went up to

the tribal areas last year. we didn't tell pakistan before we launched the raid that killed osama bin laden because according to then secretary of defense leon panetta, we can't trust them. this bill puts seven conditions on our aid to pakistan. they are good conditions. earlier this evening, about an hour ago, the ranking member mentioned these conditions for aid to pakistan. they are commonsense things like if pakistan wants our money, it shouldn't support terrorist activities against the united states. imagine that. . these these i.e.d.'s have killed many of our troops. each year we put conditions on our aid, the bills also give the secretary of defense the authority to give the money to pakistan even if pakistan doesn't meet those conditions. this year is no exception. once again, we give in this bill the secretary of defense the authority to waive the can be --

conditions congress puts in the bill. four of the five last years pakistan has failed to meet the conditions congress has imposed on this type of legislation and then the secretary of defense went ahead and gave the waiver, thus giving money to pakistan anyway. the administration has never not given mac stan money because it failed to meet our condition conditions set by congress, normal, commonsense conditions you don't get our money unless you meet these conditions. this bill this amendment, does one simple thing. it says you meet the conditions or you get no money from the united states. you don't give money to terrorists or you get no money from the united states and it does not allow the secretary of defense to waive congress' conditions and give the money anyway. that's what this legislation does. and i would ask that the house support this amendment. i reserve the balance of my

time. the chair: the gentleman reserves. for what purpose does the gentleman from new jersey seek recognition? mr. frelinghuysen: i rise in opposition to the amendment. the chair: the gentleman is recognized for five minutes. mr. frelinghuysen: i oppose this amendment. this amendment would strike the waiver that is used by the secretary of defense, also the secretary of state. i think it would affect our national security. we need the cooperation of the pakistanis. if we don't have any, we lose insight into the actions of those who would do our country harm. so i oppose this amendment as potentially damaging to our national security and i yield back -- i yield to the ranking mr., visclosky. the chair: the gentleman yields. the gentleman is recognize. mr. visclosky: i thank the chair for yielding and associate myself with his remarks. again, i'm not unsympathetic to

the position the gentleman has raised but two things. we're in a very difficult relationship that we restrain our flexibility to meet the moment. and for that reason i do join the chairman in his opposition to the amendment. i thank the chairman for yielding. the chair: the gentleman yields. the gentleman from new jersey yields back. the gentleman from texas is recognized. mr. poe: how much time do i have mr. chairman? the chair: the gentleman has 2 1/2 minutes. mr. poe: i thank the chairman and rajing member for their comments and their work on this legislation. my amendment says, quote the chairman earlier, we mean what we -- what we say. and we say as congress that if we're going to give american money to pakistan, to help us, they can't do certain things with that money. they can't support terrorism. they can't allow i.e.d.'s to be built that are used to kill americans.

commonsense, good ideas and conditions. in the past we have done this before. and if we mean what we say, then we should require these conditions before we give pakistan american money. but the law has allowed the secretary of defense to waive congress' conditions and give them our money anyway. we've proven, pakistan has proven they don't meet the conditions most of the time for the five -- for four of the last five years. they got the money anyway because the secretary waived the rule of law or waived our conditions. this bill does something very simple. it says congress says there's certain rules to get american money, you follow the rules, you don't get the money and nobody can waive the condition and give you a pass and give you american money anyway. so i would ask that this amendment be adopted. and i will yield back the balance of my time. the chair: the gentleman yields

back. the question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from texas. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, the noes have it. the amendment is not agreed to. for what purpose does the gentleman from texas seek recognition? mr. poe: i ask for the yeas and nays, i ask for a recorded vote. the chair: pursuant to clause 6 of rule 18 further proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from texas will be postponed. for what purpose does the gentleman from pennsylvania seek recognition? >> mr. chairman, it's been a long night i commend the chairman for his work on this. i understand i have an amendment earlier today. there have been ongoing discussions about that amendment and i understand there's going to be efforts to work on -- the chair: does the gentleman

ask unanimous consent? >> i ask unanimous consent to withdraw my request for a recorded vote, that the amendment stand disposed of by the voice vote thereon. the chair: the clerk will redesignate the amendment. the clerk: amendment offered by mr. rothfus of pennsylvania. the chair: without objection the request for a recorded vote is withdrawn. accordingly, the noes have it, the amendment is not adopted. the clerk will read. the clerk: page 160rk line 10 including transfer of funds section 9016, $500 million is appropriated from the intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities of the department including transfer of funds section 9 17 in addition to amounts appropriated in title 2 or otherwise made available in this act, $2,500,000,000 is hereby appropriated to the department of defense for purposes of improving military readiness.

section 9018, none of they have funds made available by this act may be used with respect to syria in contravention of the war powers resolution, 50 u.s.c. 1541. tite 108, additional general provisions. section 10001 that the united states has engaged in military operations against the islamic state of iraq and the he vant isil for more than -- and the levan isil for more than 18 months. spend regular ducks can't 10002, the amount by which the applicable allocation of new budget authority made by the committee on appropriations is zero dollars. the chair: clerk will suspend. for what purpose does the gentleman from new jersey seek recognition? mr. frelinghuysen: i move that the committee do now rise. the chair: the question is on the motion that the committee rise. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no.

the ayes have it. the motion is adopted. accordingly the committee rises. the chair: the committee of the whole house on the state of the union having had under consideration h.r. 26 5 directs me to report it has come to no resolution thereon. the speaker pro tempore: the chair of the committee of the whole house on the state of the union reports that the committee has had under consideration h.r. 2685 and has come to no resolution thereon. pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20, the unfinished business is the question on passage of h.r. 2393 on which the yeas and nays are ordered. the clerk will report the title. the clerk: union calendar number 94, a bill to amend the

agricultural marketing act of 1926 to repeal country of origin labeling requirements with respect to beef, pork and chicken and for other purposes. the chair: question is on passage of the bill. members will record their votes by electronic device. this is a 15-minute vote. -- the speaker pro tempore: the question is on passage of the bill. members will record their votes by electronic device. this is a 1456 minute vote. -- 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.]

more than 400 terrorists have been tried, convicted, and sentenced u.s. in a manner befitting the u.s. justice system. no convicted terrorist has escaped itfrom u.s. prison. the second case i want to mention, which i want to mention from a new york times op ed piece authored by british members of parliament. a british permanent resident was doing charity work in afghanistan and was picked up by

the northern alliance, sold to americans for a bounty, and taken to present before being to

the speaker pro tempore: on this vote, the yeas are 297, the nays are 129.

the speaker pro tempore: on this

vote, the yeas are 300, the nays are 131, the bill is passed. without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. pursuant to house resolution 303 and rule 18, the chair declares the house in the committee of the whole house on the state of the union for further consideration of h.r. 2685. will the gentleman from georgia mr. collins, kindly take the chair. the chair: the house is in the committee of the whole house on the state of the union for further consideration of h.r.

2685rk the clerk will report by title. the clerk: bill making appropriations for the department of defense for fiscal year ending september 30, 2016 and for other purposes. the chair: when the committee of the whole rose earlier today, the amendment -- further proceed option the amendment offered by mr. poe had been postponed. proceedings will now resume in the following order amendment number by mr. lowenthal of california amendment by mr. visclosky of indiana, first amendment by mr. nadler of new york, second amendment by mr. nadler of new york, first amendment by mr. poe of texas amendment by mr. walberg of michigan amendment by mr. nolan of minnesota amendment by mr. clawson of florida, second amendment by mr. poe of texas. the chair will reduce to two minutes the time for any electronic votes in this series. the unfin herbed bids is the request for a recorded vote on the amendment. the clerk willres. designate the

amendment. the clerk: amendment offered by mr. lowenthal of california. the chair: the house will come to order. the house will come to order. the house will come to order. the house will come to order. recorded vote has been requested, those in support of the request for a recorded vote will rise and be downed. the chair reminds all that this is a two-minute vote series. a two-minute vote series. members will record their votes by electronic device. [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 chair: on this amendment the yeas are 195, the noes are 252. the unfinished business is the amendment offered by the gentleman. the clerk: amendment number four prinned in the congressional

record offered by mr. huffman of california. the chair: a recorded vote has been requested. those in fare of a recorded vote will rise and be counted. a recorded vote is ordered. members will record their votes by electronic device. this is a two-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 chair: on this vote the yeas are 248, the nays are 181.

the chair: on this vote the yeas are 252, the nays are 179. the amendment is agreed to. the unfinished business is the request for a recorded vote on the amendment offer by the gentleman from indiana, mr. visclosky, on which further proceedings were postponed a and the noes prevailed by voice vote. the clerk: amendment offered by mr. visclosky of indiana. the chair: a recorded vote has been requested. those in support of the request for 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 two two-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 chair: on this vote the yeas are 174 the nays are 257. the amendment is not adopted. the unfinished business is the request for a recorded vote on the first amendment offered by the gentleman from new york, mr. nadler on which the noes prevailed by voice vote. the clerk: first amendment offered by mr. nadler of new york. the chair: a recorded vote has been requested. those in support of the request for 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 two-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 chair: on this vote the yeas are 173, the nays are 259. the amendment is not adopted. the unfinished business is the request for a recorded vote on the second amendment by the gentleman from new york, mr. nadler, on which further proceedings were postponed and the noes prevailed by voice vote. the clerk: second amendment offered by mr. nadler of new york. the chair: a recorded vote has been requested. those in support of the request for 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 two-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 chair: on this vote the yeas are 181, the nays are 251. the amendment is not adopted. the unfinished business is the request for a recorded vote on the amendment offered by the gentleman from virginia, mr. forbes on which further proceedings were postponed and the noes prevailed business voice vote. the clerk are redesignate amendment. the clerk: amendment offered by mr. forbes of virginia. the chair: a recorded vote has been requested. those in support of the request for 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 two-minute vote. e. [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 chair: on this vote, the yeas are 321, the nays are 11, the amendment is adopt the unfinished business is the request for a recorded vote on the first amendment of the gentleman from texas, mr. poe, on which the noes prevailed by voice vote. the clerk: first amendment offered by mr. poe of texas. the chair: a recorded vote has been requested. those in support of the 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 two-minute vote.

the chair: on this vote the yeas are 118, the nays are 313. the chair: on this vote the yeas are 117, the nays are 315.

the amendment is not adopted. the unfinished business is the request for a recorded vote offered by the gentleman from michigan, mr. walberg, on which the ayes prevailed by voice vote. che clerk -- the clerk will redesignate the amendment. the clerk: amendment offered by mr. wall borge of michigan. the chair: -- mr. walberg of michigan. the chair: a recorded vote has been requested those in support of the request for a recorded vote will rise and be countled. a sufficient number having risen, a recorded vote is ordered. this is a two-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 chair: on this vote, the yeas are 233, the nays are 199. the amendment is -- is adopted. the unfinished business if the -- is the request for a recorded vote. clerk will redesignate the amendment. the clerk: amendment offered by mr. nolan of minnesota. the chair: a recorded vote has been requested. those in support of the request for a recorded vote will rise and be down counted. a sufficient number having risen, a recorded vote is ordered. s that two-minute vote. members will record their votes by electronic device. [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 chair: on this vote, the yeas are 56, the nays are 375. the amendment is not adopted. the unfinished business is the request for a recorded vote on the amendment offered by the gentleman from florida, in clawson, on which the noes prevailed by voice vote. clerk will redesignate the amendment. the clerk: amendment offered by mr. clawson of florida. the chair: a recorded vote has been requested. those in support of the 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 two-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 chair: on this vote the yeas are 107, the nays are 323, the amendment is not adopted. the unfinished business is the request for a recorded vote on

the second amendment offered by the gentleman from texas, mr. poe, on which further proceedings were postponed, on which the noes prevailed by voice vote. the clerk will redesignate the amendment. the clerk: second amendment offered by mr. poe of texas. the chair: a recorded vote has been requested. those in support of the request for a recorded vote will rise and be counted. a a sufficient number having arisen having risen, a recorded vote is ordered. members will record their votes by electronic device. this is a two-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 chair: on this vote the yeas are 114, the nays are 318, the amendment is not adopted.

the chair: the committee will be in order. the chair: for what purpose does the gentleman from new jersey rise? >> mr. chairman, i have an amendment at the desk. the chair: the clerk will designate the amendment. the clerk: amendment number 5 printed in the congressional record offered by mr. mcactorer of new jersey -- macarthur of

new jersey. the chair: the gentleman from new jersey and a member opposed each will control five minutes. the chair recognizes the gentleman from new jersey. mr. mack: mr. chairman, i yield to my -- mac mac mr. chairman, i yield -- mr. mcintyre: mr. chairman, i yield -- mr. macarthur: mr. chairman, i yield myself such time as i may consume. the chair: the committee will be in order. please take your conversations off the floor. the gentleman deserves to be heard. the gentleman is recognized. art art thank you, mr. chairman -- mr. macarthur: thank you, mr. chairman. mr. chairman, my amendment deals with the kc-10 air to air refueling tanker. air superiority is critical if we're going to protect our men and women on the ground and our interests. and that requires that we have

fighters in the -- in the air. it's of vital importance, it's why the air mobility command is so important. it may not be as exciting as fighters in close air support, but it's every bit as essential. the kc-10 air to air refueler is the larger, newer of the tankers and the cr -- kc-135 is the smaller, older version. this is the problem. the kc-46 is a new tanker that the air force is introducing. it has had development problems and it's not ready for primetime. general welsh of the air force confirmed that this tanker, the new tanker was not intended to replace the kc-10 but that it's at risk of being replaced due to budget cuts. and he's confirmed that it would cost more in the midterm to replace the kc-10. just to put the capabilities difference in perspective, the kc-10 can carry 350,000 pounds

of fuel. the other tankers, the older kc-46 or the kc-135 and the new kc-46 can only carry 200,000. 200,000 versus 350,000. the kc-10 carries double the pay load, carries more passengers, the long and the short is that this tanker is essential for our ability to project force. and in this world of increased global threats, we cannot afford to deteriorate our capabilities. the answer i believe is to prohibit the early retirement of the kc-10 tanker. we did that in the national defense authorization act. there's no provision in the budget to replace the kc-10 and i'm simply looking to close the loop tonight and prohibit in the defense appropriation bill any funding for the early retirement of the kc-10.

and with that i reserve the balance of my time. mr. frelinghuysen: will the gentleman yield? mr. macarthur: yes. the chair: the gentleman reserves. the gentleman from new jersey is recognized. mr. frelinghuysen: if the gentleman yields let me congratulate the gentleman from new jersey, my colleague, for his advocacy on behalf of the kc-10. none of what the good work we've done in the middle east could have been done without the remarkable history of the men and women who work in those kc-10's and these tankers. allowing so many flights to go without any problems, any issues. and that is a remarkable plane and i support your amendment and congratulate you for introducing it. mr. macarthur: i thank you. mr. frelinghuysen: you have the time. thank you for yielding. mr. macarthur: thank you. >> mr. speaker, my colleagues

from new jersey, i support this amendment. i appreciate the fact that congressman macarthur has kept in the forefront how important this is. not just for new jersey, but for our nation as a whole. we're strategically located in that one area that it makes it extremely efficient to refuel. more importantly, we have two ways of getting the fuel to those planes, which is so strategically important. it's overland and underground. that has been why mcgwire-fort dix has been the place for this command to be joined together for years and years. mr. norcross: and i think this is not only strategically smart for our country, but this is an efficient way of spending taxpayers' money to make sure that we get the best bang for the buck and i yield back the balance of my time. thank you. the chair: the gentleman from new jersey. mr. macarthur: i reserve. the chair: the gentleman reserves. does any member wish to be recognized in opposition. the gentleman from new jersey

is recognized. mr. macarthur: i yield back. thank you. the chair: the gentleman yields. the question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from new jersey. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it. the amendment is agreed to. for what purpose does the gentleman from california rise? >> i have an amendment at the desk. the chair: the clerk will report the amendment. the clerk: amendment offered by mr. schiff of california. at the end of the bill, before the short title, insert the following. section, none of the funds made available by this act may be used after march 31, 2016, for operations inherent resolve, in the absence of a law enacted by congress before such dates as specifically authorized as the use of military force against the islamic state of iraq and

levant. the chair: the gentleman from california and a member opposed each will control five minutes. the chair recognizes the gentleman from california. mr. schiff: i thank the chairman. 10 months ago we entered into the war against isis. during the course of that war, we have put our pilots and other service members at considerable risk and we have suffered casualties. we've expended hundreds of millions, if not billions of dollars. and as yet there is no end in sight to this conflict. in the beginning of the conflict, in our participation in it, the administration took the position that it didn't need an authorization from congress, although it desired one. the administration relied on an authority that was passed in 2001 and 2002, an authority in 2001 passed in the hours after 9/11, that authorized the use of force against those responsible for 9/11.

that is, al qaeda. it also relied on the authorization passed in 2002 which authorized the use of force against iraq. in fact, neither of those authorities is on point. the use of force that we are employing now against isil is being used against an organization that didn't exist on 9/11, and in fact is often at war with the organization that was responsible for 9/11, that is al qaeda. nonetheless, the administration has asserted that it can rely on these authorities and it asked congress to pass a new authorization, because it felt that was the preferential course. at the time and before the midterm elections, the leadership in the house of representatives took the position that a lame duck congress should not be voting on a new war and the vote must await until after the elections. and so the congress abdicated its constitutional responsibility to have a debate and a war declaration.

and instead we awaited the elections. and the elections came and the elections went. and those of us who raised the cry that it was time for congress to do its job were met with a new response. we can't vote on an authorization now because the administration hadn't sent us one. even though there's nothing in the constitution that provides that congress shall declare war only when asked by an executive. or only when asked politely by the executive. but nonetheless we sat once again derelict until the administration sent us a draft authorization. then there was a new explanation for inaction. we couldn't act on this new authorization because we didn't like the terms of it. this was irrespective of the fact that the congress has all the power it needs to change that draft or operate in a completely new draft authorization and still we did nothing. and then the explanation was given, we couldn't act on a war authorization because we had to vote on the negotiations with iran, even though those

negotiations were not yet complete. and so we had a vote on the negotiations with iran. in fact, a voter to later have a vote. and now we are here once again with a series of shifting rationales for why we don't have a debate on this war ongoing now for 10 months. this must come to an end. the amendment that i've offered this evening would provide that the funds -- no funds shall be ex pended for the war against isis after a certain date in march of next year unless congress authorizes a war against isis. . if this is worth fighting, and i believe it is it's worth having congress do its job. if we're going to ask our service members risk their lives, we ought to have the courage ourselves to make a vote on this war. and with that, i reserve the balance of my time. the chair: the gentleman reserves.