H2466 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 10, 2006 Kolbe Nussle Sessions Udall (NM) Waters Woolsey Brown (OH) Holt Payne Kuhl (NY) Osborne Shadegg Van Hollen Watson Wu Brown, Corrine Honda Pelosi LaHood Otter Shaw Vela´ zquez Watt Wynn Capito Hooley Pomeroy Latham Oxley Shays Visclosky Waxman Capps Hoyer Price (NC) LaTourette Paul Sherwood Wasserman Weiner Capuano Inslee Pryce (OH) Lewis (CA) Pearce Shimkus Schultz Wexler Cardin Israel Ramstad Lewis (KY) Pence Shuster Carnahan Jackson (IL) Rangel Linder Peterson (MN) Simmons NOT VOTING—4 Carson Jackson-Lee Reyes LoBiondo Peterson (PA) Simpson Cardoza Kennedy (RI) Case (TX) Rothman Lucas Petri Smith (NJ) Evans Smith (WA) Castle Jefferson Roybal-Allard Lungren, Daniel Pickering Smith (TX) Chandler Johnson (CT) Ruppersberger E. Pitts Sodrel b 1816 Clay Johnson, E. B. Rush Mack Platts Souder Cleaver Jones (OH) Sabo Manzullo Poe Stearns Mr. CLEAVER changed his vote from Clyburn Kaptur Sa´ nchez, Linda Marchant Pombo Sullivan ‘‘aye’’ to ‘‘no.’’ Conyers Kelly T. Marshall Porter Sweeney So the conference report was agreed Cooper Kilpatrick (MI) Sanchez, Loretta Matheson Price (GA) Tancredo Costa Kind Sanders McCaul (TX) Pryce (OH) Taylor (NC) to. Cramer Kirk Schakowsky McCotter Putnam Terry The result of the vote was announced Crowley Kolbe Schiff McCrery Radanovich Thomas as above recorded. Cummings Kucinich Schwartz (PA) McHenry Ramstad Thornberry Davis (AL) Lantos Scott (GA) McHugh Regula Tiahrt A motion to reconsider was laid on Davis (CA) Larsen (WA) Scott (VA) McIntyre Rehberg Tiberi the table. Davis (FL) Larson (CT) Serrano McKeon Reichert Turner Davis (IL) Leach Shaw McMorris Renzi Upton f DeFazio Lee Shays Melancon Reynolds Walden (OR) DeGette Levin Sherman Mica Rogers (AL) Walsh NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZA- Delahunt Lewis (GA) Simmons Miller (FL) Rogers (KY) Wamp TION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2007 DeLauro Lofgren, Zoe Slaughter Miller (MI) Rogers (MI) Weldon (FL) Dent Lowey Snyder Miller, Gary Rohrabacher Weldon (PA) The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Dicks Maloney Solis Moran (KS) Ros-Lehtinen Weller ant to House Resolution 806 and rule Dingell Markey Spratt Murphy Royce Westmoreland XVIII, the Chair declares the House in Doggett Matheson Stark Musgrave Ryan (WI) Whitfield Edwards Matsui Strickland Myrick Ryun (KS) Wicker the Committee of the Whole House on Emanuel McCarthy Tanner Neugebauer Salazar Wilson (NM) the State of the Union for the further Engel McCollum (MN) Tauscher Ney Saxton Wilson (SC) consideration of the bill, H.R. 5122. Eshoo McDermott Thomas Northup Schmidt Wolf Etheridge McGovern Thompson (CA) Norwood Schwarz (MI) Young (AK) b 1817 Farr McKinney Thompson (MS) Nunes Sensenbrenner Young (FL) Fattah Meehan Tierney IN THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE Filner Meek (FL) Towns NOES—185 Foley Meeks (NY) Udall (CO) Accordingly, the House resolved Ford Millender- Udall (NM) Abercrombie Gonzalez Miller, George itself into the Committee of the Whole Frank (MA) McDonald Van Hollen Ackerman Green, Al Mollohan House on the State of the Union for the Frelinghuysen Miller (NC) Vela´ zquez Allen Green, Gene Moore (KS) further consideration of the bill (H.R. Gilchrest Miller, George Visclosky Andrews Grijalva Moore (WI) Gonzalez Moore (KS) Walden (OR) Baca Gutierrez Moran (VA) 5122) to authorize appropriations for Gordon Moore (WI) Wasserman Baird Harman Murtha fiscal year 2007 for military activities Green, Al Moran (VA) Schultz Baldwin Hastings (FL) Nadler of the Department of Defense, to pre- Green, Gene Nadler Waters Becerra Herseth Napolitano Grijalva Napolitano Watson Berkley Higgins Neal (MA) scribe military personnel strengths for Gutierrez Neal (MA) Watt Berman Hinchey Oberstar fiscal year 2007, and for other purposes, Harman Obey Waxman Berry Hinojosa Obey with Mr. DUNCAN (Acting Chairman) in Hastings (FL) Olver Weiner Bishop (GA) Holden Olver the chair. Herseth Owens Wexler Bishop (NY) Holt Ortiz Higgins Pallone Woolsey Blumenauer Honda Owens The Clerk read the title of the bill. Hinchey Pascrell Wu Boehlert Hooley Pallone The Acting CHAIRMAN. When the Hinojosa Pastor Wynn Boswell Hoyer Pascrell Boucher Inslee Pastor Committee of the Whole rose earlier NOES—237 Boyd Israel today, amendment No. 5 printed in Payne Aderholt Crenshaw Graves Brady (PA) Jackson (IL) Pelosi House Report 109–459 by the gentleman Akin Cubin Green (WI) Brown (OH) Jackson-Lee Pomeroy from Tennessee (Mr. TANNER) had been Alexander Cuellar Gutknecht Brown, Corrine (TX) Price (NC) Bachus Culberson Hall Butterfield Jefferson disposed of. Rahall Baker Davis (KY) Harris Capps Johnson, E. B. Rangel AMENDMENT NO. 3 OFFERED BY MR. ANDREWS Barrett (SC) Davis (TN) Hart Capuano Jones (OH) Reyes Bartlett (MD) Davis, Jo Ann Hastings (WA) Cardin Kanjorski The Acting CHAIRMAN. The pending Ross Barton (TX) Davis, Tom Hayes Carnahan Kaptur business is the demand for a recorded Rothman Beauprez Deal (GA) Hayworth Carson Kildee Roybal-Allard vote on the amendment offered by the Berry DeLay Hefley Chandler Kilpatrick (MI) Ruppersberger gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. AN- Bilirakis Diaz-Balart, L. Hensarling Clay Kind Rush Bishop (UT) Diaz-Balart, M. Herger Cleaver Kucinich DREWS) on which further proceedings Ryan (OH) Blackburn Doolittle Hobson Clyburn Langevin Sabo were postponed and on which the noes Blunt Doyle Hoekstra Conyers Lantos ´ Sanchez, Linda prevailed by voice vote. Boehner Drake Holden Cooper Larsen (WA) T. Bonilla Dreier Hostettler Costa Larson (CT) The Clerk will redesignate the Sanchez, Loretta Bonner Duncan Hulshof Costello Leach amendment. Sanders Boozman Ehlers Hunter Crowley Lee Schakowsky The Clerk redesignated the amend- Boren Emerson Hyde Cummings Levin Schiff ment. Boustany English (PA) Inglis (SC) Davis (AL) Lewis (GA) Schwartz (PA) Brady (TX) Everett Issa Davis (CA) Lipinski RECORDED VOTE Scott (GA) Brown (SC) Feeney Istook Davis (FL) Lofgren, Zoe Scott (VA) The Acting CHAIRMAN. A recorded Brown-Waite, Ferguson Jenkins Davis (IL) Lowey Serrano Ginny Fitzpatrick (PA) Jindal DeFazio Lynch vote has been demanded. Sherman Burgess Flake Johnson (IL) DeGette Maloney A recorded vote was ordered. Skelton Burton (IN) Forbes Johnson, Sam Delahunt Markey Slaughter The vote was taken by electronic de- Butterfield Fortenberry Jones (NC) DeLauro Matsui Snyder vice, and there were—ayes 191, noes 237, Buyer Fossella Kanjorski Dicks McCarthy Solis Calvert Foxx Keller Dingell McCollum (MN) not voting 4, as follows: Spratt Camp (MI) Franks (AZ) Kennedy (MN) Doggett McDermott Stark [Roll No. 136] Campbell (CA) Gallegly Kildee Doyle McGovern Strickland Cannon Garrett (NJ) King (IA) Edwards McKinney AYES—191 Stupak Cantor Gerlach King (NY) Emanuel McNulty Abercrombie Bass Blumenauer Tanner Carter Gibbons Kingston Engel Meehan Ackerman Bean Boehlert Tauscher Chabot Gillmor Kline Eshoo Meek (FL) Allen Becerra Bono Taylor (MS) Chocola Gingrey Knollenberg Etheridge Meeks (NY) Andrews Berkley Boswell Thompson (CA) Coble Gohmert Kuhl (NY) Farr Michaud Baca Berman Boucher Thompson (MS) Cole (OK) Goode LaHood Fattah Millender- Baird Biggert Boyd Tierney Conaway Goodlatte Langevin Filner McDonald Baldwin Bishop (GA) Bradley (NH) Towns Costello Granger Latham Frank (MA) Miller (NC) Udall (CO) Barrow Bishop (NY) Brady (PA)

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:32 May 11, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00126 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A10MY7.057 H10MYPT1 hmoore on PROD1PC68 with HMHOUSE May 10, 2006 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2467 LaTourette Nussle Schwarz (MI) wise have no means available to seek ur- to permit space available travel on Lewis (CA) Oberstar Sensenbrenner gently needed medical care such as that pro- military aircraft in order to safely re- Lewis (KY) Ortiz Sessions vided by a humanitarian organization in Linder Osborne turn 110 Iraqi children to Baghdad from Shadegg Amman, Jordan. Lipinski Otter Sherwood Amman where they had undergone ur- (c) FUNDING SUPPORT.—Within the amount LoBiondo Oxley Shimkus gently needed oral and facial surgeries. Lucas Paul provided in section 301 for Operation and Shuster This intervention was deemed nec- Lungren, Daniel Pearce Simpson Maintenance, Defense-wide— E. Pence Skelton (1) $1,000,000 shall be available only for De- essary and appropriate because armed Lynch Peterson (MN) Smith (NJ) partment of Defense support of the Peace insurgents had stopped and boarded the Mack Peterson (PA) Smith (TX) Through Health Care Initiative; and children’s buses when they were trav- Manzullo Petri Sodrel Marchant Pickering (2) the amount provided for Budget Activ- eling to Amman, raising serious ques- Souder ity 4 is reduced by $1,000,000. Marshall Pitts Stearns tions about the safety of undertaking McCaul (TX) Platts Stupak MODIFICATION TO AMENDMENT NO. 6 OFFERED the return trip by ground. McCotter Poe Sullivan BY MR. FRANKS OF ARIZONA McCrery Pombo Mr. Chairman, such activities are Sweeney McHenry Porter Mr. FRANKS of Arizona. Mr. Chair- vital to our efforts in Iraq. Not only Tancredo McHugh Price (GA) Taylor (MS) man, I have a modification to my are many young children receiving McIntyre Putnam Taylor (NC) amendment at the desk, and I ask critical, life-changing reconstructive McKeon Radanovich McMorris Rahall Terry unanimous consent that my amend- surgeries, Iraqi physicians are also McNulty Regula Thornberry ment be considered in accordance with being trained so that even more chil- Tiahrt Melancon Rehberg this modification. dren can be helped. This helps the Iraqi Mica Reichert Tiberi Michaud Renzi Turner The Acting CHAIRMAN. The Clerk people understand that our war is with Miller (FL) Reynolds Upton will report the modification. the terrorists and not with the Iraqi Miller (MI) Rogers (AL) Walsh The Clerk read as follows: people. Wamp Miller, Gary Rogers (KY) Mr. Chairman, Americans have a gen- Mollohan Rogers (MI) Weldon (FL) Modification to amendment No. 6 printed Moran (KS) Rohrabacher Weldon (PA) in House Report 109–459 offered by Mr. uine and abiding compassion for their Murphy Ros-Lehtinen Weller FRANKS of Arizona: fellow human beings, and if our diplo- Murtha Ross Westmoreland In the text proposed to be inserted by the matic efforts and our military efforts Musgrave Royce Whitfield amendment, insert ‘‘due to operational unob- Myrick Ryan (OH) Wicker in other Nations are to truly succeed, ligated balances’’ before the period at the compassion must always be a center- Neugebauer Ryan (WI) Wilson (NM) end. Ney Ryun (KS) Wilson (SC) piece of those efforts. Groups such as Northup Salazar Wolf Mr. FRANKS of Arizona (during the Operation Smile provide a clear, tan- Norwood Saxton Young (AK) reading). Mr. Chairman, I ask unani- Nunes Schmidt Young (FL) gible demonstration of such compas- mous consent that the modification be sion. They put a smile on the face of NOT VOTING—4 considered as read and printed in the freedom and our Nation’s commitment Cardoza Kennedy (RI) RECORD. to liberty in Iraq and the world over. Evans Smith (WA) The Acting CHAIRMAN. Is there ob- I truly believe these efforts save b 1834 jection to the request of the gentleman American lives by helping to win the So the amendment was agreed to. from Arizona? peace, and I urge my colleagues to sup- The result of the vote was announced There was no objection. port this amendment. as above recorded. The Acting CHAIRMAN. Without ob- Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance jection, the modification is agreed to. of my time. AMENDMENT NO. 6 OFFERED BY MR. FRANKS OF There was no objection. ARIZONA Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Chairman, I ask The Acting CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to Mr. FRANKS of Arizona. Mr. Chair- unanimous consent to claim the time House Resolution 806, the gentleman man, I offer an amendment. in opposition to the amendment, al- from Arizona (Mr. FRANKS) and a Mem- The Acting CHAIRMAN (Mr. DUN- though we do not oppose it. ber opposed each will control 5 min- CAN). The Clerk will designate the The Acting CHAIRMAN. Is there ob- utes. amendment. jection to the request of the gentleman The Chair recognizes the gentleman The text of the amendment is as fol- from New York. from Arizona. lows: There was no objection. Mr. FRANKS of Arizona. Mr. Chair- Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Chairman, I yield Amendment No. 6 printed in House Report man, I yield myself such time as I may myself such time as I may consume. 109–459 offered by Mr. FRANKS of Arizona: At the end of title XII (page 419, after line consume. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support 7), insert the following new section: Mr. Chairman, I rise today to offer an of the gentleman’s amendment. The SEC. 12ll. HUMANITARIAN SUPPORT FOR IRAQI amendment that will provide funds for amendment would provide $1 million CHILDREN IN URGENT NEED OF a critical component in our Nation’s ef- for the Peace Through Healthcare Ini- MEDICAL CARE. fort to win the hearts and minds of tiative to provide humanitarian assist- (a) FINDINGS.—Congress makes the fol- Iraqis and others in the global fight for ance for critically ill Iraqi children. lowing findings: freedom and democracy. Mr. Chairman, it is well known that (1) The Secretary of Defense has discre- For 25 years, groups like Operation tionary authority to permit space-available nothing aids the international reputa- travel on military aircraft for various rea- Smile have sent teams of volunteer tion of our country, and particularly sons, including humanitarian purposes. surgeons and medical personnel our image in the developing world, as (2) Recently, 110 Iraqi children journeyed throughout the world to provide med- much as our humanitarian and our re- 22 hours by bus from Baghdad, Iraq, to ical treatment and surgery to children lief efforts. Following the aid we pro- Amman, Jordan, for urgently needed oral/fa- suffering from facial injuries, cleft pal- vided after the recent disasters of the cial surgery. While traveling, armed insur- ates and other facial deformities. tsunami in Indonesia and the earth- gents stopped and boarded the children’s bus, Last year, I had the wonderful oppor- quake in Pakistan, polls in both coun- raising serious questions about the safety of tunity to travel to Jordan to take part further travel by ground. tries showed a significant increase in (3) Pursuant to the Secretary’s discre- in the first mission of the Iraq Initia- those who viewed America favorably. tionary authority referred to in paragraph tive of Operation Smile. I was able to Yet humanitarian relief is more than (1), the Secretary authorized the Iraqi chil- observe the indescribable joy of fami- just a tool of international politics. It dren to travel on military aircraft for their lies as the lives of over 50 Iraqi chil- is exactly who we are. return trip from Amman to Baghdad. dren were transformed. Americans are the most generous (4) The Secretary is to be commended for Mr. Chairman, it is difficult to de- people in the world. We give more to his initiative in providing for the safe return scribe how moving such an experience charity each year than any other na- of these children to Iraq by military aircraft. really is. It made clear absolutely to tion. We are just and we do not hold a (b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Defense me the vital role these efforts play in people guilty for the sins of their lead- should continue to provide space-available our Nation’s diplomatic efforts. ership. travel on military aircraft for humanitarian Recently, the Secretary of Defense Mr. Chairman, health care in Iraq is reasons to Iraqi children who would other- exercised his discretionary authority in a perilous state, but time and time

VerDate Aug 31 2005 06:06 May 11, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00127 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A10MY7.058 H10MYPT1 hmoore on PROD1PC68 with HMHOUSE H2468 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 10, 2006 again American servicemembers in the Mr. FRANKS of Arizona. Mr. Chair- The Acting CHAIRMAN (Mr. DUN- field, warriors and medics, and Amer- man, thank you. CAN). The Clerk will designate the ican hospitals and doctors back home I guess the only way I can describe amendment. have gone out of their way to help this, Mr. Chairman, is as they begin to The text of the amendment is as fol- those in need. I have read numerous create these surgeries, as they begin to lows: cases of Iraqi children being medivaced pull the child’s lip together with a Amendment No. 7 printed in House Report out of the country in order to receive giant hole in the center of his face or 109–459 offered by Mr. SIMMONS: first class medical treatment for every- her face, it not only seems to pull a At the end of title X (page 393, after line thing from cleft palate to congenital face together, it seems to pull a life to- 23), insert the following new section: heart disease. gether. If you understand the signifi- SEC. 10ll. AUTHORIZATION TO EXPIRE CLEAR- Mr. Chairman, I know that the gen- ANCES REVOKED. cance of going through life with an un- (a) PROHIBITION ON EXPIRED CLEARANCES.— tleman has heard these stories as well, corrected cleft palate or cleft lip, this No security clearance granted by the Depart- and we both recall one case of the chief is to also take the child out of an emo- ment of Defense that has been requested to of police in the southern Iraqi province tional darkness that is almost impos- be renewed, based on a requirement for peri- of Wasit. He worked hand-in-hand with sible to describe. odic reinvestigation, shall be permitted to our troops every day, putting his own The ultimate impact to these fami- expire until the Secretary of Defense cer- life at risk. And then, one night, he lies is one that is emotional beyond tifies to the congressional defense commit- turned to his American advisers and words. When you hand the child back tees and the Committee on Homeland Secu- rity and Governmental Affairs of the Senate said, ‘‘My son is dying of leukemia and to the mother or the father, there is a the road to Baghdad is too unsafe for and the Committee on Government Reform wailing and a moved feeling that they of the House of Representatives that— me to drive him to a good hospital.’’ express that, again, is just beyond my (1) the Defense Security Service has con- Within 24 hours, the child and his ability to describe. tinued to accept industry requests for new mother were helicoptered to Baghdad. But it does have I think an effect, as personnel security clearances and periodic The child was treated there by U.S. I said, of putting a smiling face on the reinvestigations; and Army medics in the International Zone face of freedom, and I just am so grate- (2) the Defense Security Service has fully and airlifted to Jordan. ful that this is something that we can funded its requirement for fiscal year 2007 se- In Jordan, very sadly, Mr. Chairman, curity clearances and taken steps to elimi- do together as a House and that while the child passed away, but with tears nate its backlog of requests for security we may have differences on a lot of our in his eyes, the chief of police turned to clearance and periodic investigations by Sep- policies throughout the world, the one his American friends only days later tember 20, 2008. thing remains that America is a noble (b) EXCEPTION TO PROHIBITION.—The prohi- and said, ‘‘I will never forget what you Nation and we are committed to mak- bition in subsection (a) shall not apply if the have done for me.’’ Secretary of Defense determines that suffi- That, Mr. Chairman, is what this ing sure that all of God’s children, as it were, have an opportunity to lay hold cient cause exists to revoke a security clear- amendment is about. It is about doing ance, that has been requested to be renewed, the right thing for innocent children. on this miracle of life and to live as based on other requirements of law or De- It is about making friends and building meaningful as they can possibly can, partment of Defense policy or regulations. relationships with the people of Iraq and I appreciate the support that is (c) DURATION OF PROHIBITION.—The prohibi- and all for only $1 million. demonstrated for the amendment. tion on expired clearances authorized by this That is why, Mr. Chairman, I urge Thank you, Mr. Chairman. section expires on September 30, 2008. Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Chairman, I yield (d) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in my colleagues to support the gentle- this section alters the process in effect as of man’s amendment. myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, we have no additional the date of the enactment of this Act for se- Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance curity clearances and periodic investiga- of my time. speakers on our side. So I would close tions. Mr. FRANKS of Arizona. Mr. Chair- by again thanking the chairman and (e) DEFINITION.—In this section, the term man, I would just thank the gentleman the gentleman for his leadership and ‘‘backlog’’ means the body of industry re- for his kind words and support. I now agreeing with them that nobility is a quests for new personnel security clearances yield such time as he may consume to bipartisan virtue. and periodic reinvestigations that have not the gentleman from California (Mr. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the bal- yet been completed or that have not yet been opened for investigation. UNTER ance of my time. H ), the distinguished chairman of (f) REPORTS.—The Secretary of Defense the Armed Services Committee. Mr. FRANKS of Arizona. Mr. Chair- shall submit to the Committee on Armed Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Chairman, I thank man, I yield myself such time as I may Services of the Senate and the Committee on the gentleman for yielding, and I want consume. Armed Services of the House of Representa- to reinforce and echo the very eloquent I am not sure what else I can add to tives a report detailing the actions required words of the gentleman from New York this except to just simply express that by subsection (a)(2) no later than September (Mr. ISRAEL). we are not only changing the lives of 30, 2007. A final report shall be submitted no I listened to the gentleman from Ari- children in the profoundest sense, but later than September 30, 2008. zona (Mr. FRANKS) when he brought in we are letting our soldiers in different The Acting CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to Operation Smile, and I saw the pictures parts of the world demonstrate their House Resolution 806, the gentleman and I listened to his description of how own compassion to these children as from Connecticut (Mr. SIMMONS) and a important this is. This is part of the they are a part of the logistical process Member opposed each will control 5 American ripple. It is part of the effect of making this real. minutes. that those 138,000 ambassadors in I would just suggest to you that the The Chair recognizes the gentleman desert camouflage uniforms have in bottom line is that this is a diplomatic from Connecticut. that theater on a human basis, on a effort, a medical diplomacy, that is in Mr. SIMMONS. Mr. Chairman, I yield personal basis. the best interests of America. It saves myself such time as I may consume. If the gentleman would just tell us, Americans lives, and it transform the First, I would like to commend because I thought this was the neatest lives of all the children. Chairman HUNTER and Mr. BARTLETT, part of your presentation when you Mr. Chairman, I yield back my time. as well as Mr. SKELTON and Mr. TAYLOR brought Operation Smile in, the effects The Acting CHAIRMAN. The ques- for their leadership and vision on this of this operation, because you had tion is on the amendment offered by bill. This bill is particularly historic these kids with cleft palates. I saw the the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. with respect to the shipbuilding pro- pictures of their fathers and mothers FRANKS), as modified. grams that it supports. with their children after the operation. The amendment, as modified, was But I am rising today, Mr. Chairman, If the gentleman could describe that, I agreed to. to offer a bipartisan amendment that would protect our industrial base think we would all appreciate it. b 1845 Mr. FRANKS of Arizona. Mr. Chair- workers from losing their jobs because man, will the gentleman yield? AMENDMENT NO. 7 OFFERED BY MR. SIMMONS of the failure of our Federal bureauc- Mr. HUNTER. I yield to the gen- Mr. SIMMONS. Mr. Chairman, I offer racy to process security clearances and tleman from Arizona. an amendment. periodic updates. Last month, without

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:32 May 11, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00128 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K10MY7.127 H10MYPT1 hmoore on PROD1PC68 with HMHOUSE May 10, 2006 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2469 warning or notice to Congress, the De- overhaul the entire clearance granting proc- examine this issue in more detail. In fense Security Service stopped proc- ess and work with this coalition and others the meantime we cannot put defense essing security clearance background to bring about a more enlightened and 21st contractors that need to review em- checks and periodic updates for defense Century approach to providing trusted per- ployees’ clearances in the position of sonnel to meet our National Security needs. contractor workers. Please vote yes in support of the Simmons/ having to choose between firing their What makes this most frustrating is Davis Amendment. employees or granting uncleared per- the fact that the Department of De- Aerospace Industries Association sonnel access to classified materials fense said it had fixed the security Armed Forces Communications and Elec- and facilities. clearance problems last year when it tronics Association The government spends billions of transferred responsibility for these in- Contract Services Association dollars each year on defense contracts vestigations to the Office of Personnel Information Technology Association of requiring workers with security clear- Management. Many of us who have de- America ances to do the work. If contractors are fense workers in our district ques- Intelligence and National Security Alliance unable to find enough cleared per- tioned DSS on that point, but they National Defense Industrial Association sonnel who have access to classified in- Professional Services Council were emphatic that OPM could get the formation, the cost of these contracts job done. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance increases dramatically. Simply supply Well, Mr. Chairman, they were of my time. and demand, not enough people with wrong. We cannot allow their failure to Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Chairman, I the clearance, too much work to do, result in cleared defense workers losing ask unanimous consent to claim the and the taxpayers are then forced to their jobs. time in opposition even though I sup- pick up the tab and our national secu- Very simply, this amendment would port the amendment. rity suffers. prevent the Department of Defense The Acting CHAIRMAN. Is there ob- Therefore, I rise in strong support of from firing workers whose security jection to the request of the gentleman the Simmons-Davis-Davis amendment clearance may have expired through no from North Carolina? to prevent the Department of Defense fault of their own. It does not change There was no objection. from revoking expiring security clear- the security clearance process or pre- Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Chairman, I ances until DOD is able to get a handle vent the Department from revoking se- yield myself such time as I may con- on the current crisis and resume proc- curity clearances for reasons other sume. essing requests for security clearance than the backlog, but it does protect Mr. Chairman, it is critical that our investigations in a timely and efficient our workers who currently have clear- Department of Defense provides clear- manner. ances that simply need to be updated. ances to the right people to get access This amendment does not fix the Those already at work eventually to the right information so they can do problem, but it keeps it from getting need renewals to stay on the job, and their jobs in support of our troops. Ac- worse. It is an important issue for na- there are thousands of shipyard work- cess to classified information should be tional security and fiscal responsi- ers in my district and elsewhere across need driven rather than budget driven. bility. I urge my colleagues to support the country who need clearances up- For this reason, I urge my colleagues this important amendment. dated to design and build the best ships to support the amendment. I want to Mr. SIMMONS. Mr. Chairman, I yield in the world. But we must give these thank the gentleman for bringing this myself the balance of my time, and defense workers peace of mind that amendment forward. It is a fair amend- thank the chairman and my colleagues they won’t be out on the street because ment, and I ask and urge its adoption. from across the aisle for bringing fair- of a botched job in the bowels of the Mr. Chairman, I yield back the bal- ness and peace of mind to our defense Pentagon. ance of my time. workers. Our amendment has support from Mr. SIMMONS. Mr. Chairman, I yield Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Chair- both sides of the aisle as well as from such time as he may consume to the man, I rise today in strong support of this numerous national security organiza- gentleman from Virginia (Mr. TOM amendment that I am offering with my col- tions, and I include for the RECORD a DAVIS). leagues from Connecticut and Virginia. list of these associations. I urge my Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. As we continue to fight the Global War on colleagues to support the Simmons- Chairman, I rise today in strong sup- Terror, the Department of Defense must adapt Davis-Davis amendment to keep Amer- port of the Simmons-Davis-Davis to meet the challenges posed by this new kind ican defense workers at work. amendment in the defense authoriza- of war. I believe that it is our responsibility in SECURITY CLEARANCE COALITION SUPPORTS tion bill. Congress to exercise proper oversight and di- SIMMONS/DAVIS AMENDMENT TO H.R. 5122 This amendment will safeguard na- rection of our military, and the recent develop- The associations listed below have joined tional security and ensure fiscal re- ments regarding the processing of security in coalition to work to address the signifi- sponsibility by preventing the security clearances deserve the attention of this body. cant problems their members encounter ne- clearances of defense contractors from In our post 9/11 world, the need for precise gotiating the security granting process. All expiring until the Department of De- and timely security clearance processing has of the problems that this process has experi- fense resumes processing their requests never been more important. The demand for enced for the last several years were severely for security clearance investigations clearances of all types and levels continues to compounded when the Defense Security and fully funds its personnel security Service placed a moratorium on the accept- increase, yet our budgets and our processes ance of new security clearance applications clearance program for fiscal year 2007. are not up to date. and applications for periodic reinvestiga- I urge all of my colleagues to support I represent thousands of workers in my dis- tions at the end of April. this amendment. trict who rely on their security clearance to The coalition supports the Simmons/Davis On Friday, April 28, I discovered perform their jobs, from the shipbuilders in amendment as a positive first step toward DOD’s security clearance processing Newport News to the thousands of uniformed reversing the impact of this decision and to arm, the Defense Security Service, was service members and contractors that are mitigating its impact. While the ability to imposing a moratorium on all requests attract, hire and retain qualified personnel working to support our national defense. In who are able to get a clearance has been for private sector security clearance fact, I’ve heard from a lot of them in the last greatly impacted, this proposal will at least investigations. DSS reported that it few weeks. Our amendment will temporarily assure those that currently employed and experienced a massive spike in the prohibit the Department of Defense’s authority holding a clearance that their job will not be number of clearance requests and that to expire clearances that have requested re- impacted because of their inability to sub- it didn’t have the resources to handle newal until September 30, 2008, unless cer- mit an application for reinvestigation. this spike. DSS, therefore, decided to tain criteria are met. I firmly believe that we The actions by DSS are symptomatic of just turn off the spigot. This is, frank- should not be penalizing our military and con- the chronic problems found in the Federal ly, unacceptable. It is an unacceptable government’s security granting process. We tracting community because the Department hope that Congress will act to mitigate the solution to what should have been a cannot adequately estimate or budget its fu- impact of this action by adopting the Sim- very foreseeable problem. ture security clearance requirements. mons/Davis amendment. It is also our hope I will be chairing a Government Re- Additionally, I’m pleased that a separate that Congress will recognize the need to form Committee hearing on May 17 to amendment offered by Congressman SIMMONS

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:32 May 11, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00129 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K10MY7.131 H10MYPT1 hmoore on PROD1PC68 with HMHOUSE H2470 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 10, 2006 and myself was included in the underlying leg- largest deployments right now of Na- of the 34th Brigade Combat Team vol- islation that is before the House today. The tional Guardsmen from the State of unteered to join their fellow Guards- provision requires the Department to submit a Minnesota since World War II. It has men in Iraq despite having previously series of reports on their progress in solving created a disparity. deployed to Bosnia and Kosovo. I was these problems, and I believe this is an impor- Back in January, members of the 1st disappointed to hear that many of tant step in our congressional oversight of this Platoon Bravo Company asked my of- these dedicated citizen-soldiers were extremely vital program for our national de- fice to help with a pay problem. It just denied incentive pay simply because of fense. I want to thank Chairman HUNTER for so happens that most of them were the administrative mechanism used to working with me on this issue. called up to serve in the Balkans back mobilize them. This is not the way we I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of our in 2003. Part of them were called up as a nation should treat those who amendment. under a Presidential Reserve Call Up, have volunteered to serve. Mr. SIMMONS. Mr. Chairman, I yield and others were called up under a Par- Mr. GUTKNECHT and I promptly en- back the balance of my time. tial Mobilization. gaged the House Armed Services Com- The Acting CHAIRMAN. All time for What this has led to is a discrepancy mittee professional staff to help solve debate has expired. in how much they may be eligible for this problem. As a member of the The question is on the amendment in terms of what we used to describe as House Military Personnel Sub- offered by the gentleman from Con- combat pay. The bottom line is that committee, I was gratified by the necticut (Mr. SIMMONS). about 400 members of the Minnesota staff’s prompt action, and I would like The amendment was agreed to. National Guard, who will be doing the to thank them as well as Chairman C UGH UNTER AMENDMENT NO. 8 OFFERED BY MR. GUTKNECHT same duty as the other members of the M H and Chairman H for their efforts. Mr. GUTKNECHT. Mr. Chairman, I National Guard in Iraq, will not be eli- I would also like to commend the en- offer an amendment. gible for roughly $7,000 in incentive tire Minnesota delegation for their The Acting CHAIRMAN. The Clerk pay. This is an inequity. It is unfair, strong support in both the House and will designate the amendment. and it is something that we in Congress can and should do something about. Senate. The text of the amendment is as fol- This past week, my staff delivered a lows: I want to thank the chairman of the committee and the ranking member letter signed by the entire delegation Amendment No. 8 printed in House Report to the Department of Defense request- 109–459 offered by Mr. GUTKNECHT: and the staff as well. We have been working with them for several weeks ing their assistance in resolving this At the end of subtitle B of title VI (page inequity, and I will include a copy of 220, after line 8), add the following new sec- and they have been extremely helpful tion: the letter for the RECORD. on this matter. Hopefully tonight we This amendment is a fitting addition SEC. 624. ELIMINATION OF INEQUITY IN ELIGI- can adopt this amendment and send a to that initial effort, and it is my hope BILITY AND PROVISION OF ASSIGN- clear message to the Pentagon that MENT INCENTIVE PAY. it will help spur the resolution of this this inequity needs to be resolved and (a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of significant problem. I urge my col- Congress that the Secretary of the Army it needs to be resolved soon. leagues to support this amendment. should promptly correct the pay inequity in Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES, the provision of assignment incentive pay of my time. Washington, DC, May 4, 2006. under section 307a of title 37, United States Mr. SNYDER. Mr. Chairman, I ask Hon. THOMAS F. HALL, Code, to members of the Army National unanimous consent to claim the time Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Af- Guard and the Army Reserve serving on ac- in opposition, although I do not oppose fairs, Washington, DC. tive duty in Afghanistan and Iraq that arose the amendment and I am unaware of DEAR SECRETARY HALL: We are writing to from the disparite treatment between— anyone on our side of the aisle who op- request a review and adjustment of the cur- (1) those members who previously served rent policy regarding Assignment Incentive under a call or order to active duty under poses this amendment. Pay (AIP). Several activated members of the section 12302 of title 10, United States Code, The Acting CHAIRMAN. Is there ob- Minnesota National Guard (MNNG), now de- and who are eligible for assignment incen- jection to the request of the gentleman ployed to Iraq, recently brought to our at- tive pay; and from Arkansas? tention a pay technicality that makes the (2) those members who previously served There was no objection. distribution of AIP inequitable. Specifically, under a call or order to active duty under Mr. SNYDER. Mr. Chairman, I yield under current finance rules, the soldiers who section 12304 of such title and who are cur- myself such time as I may consume. previously deployed and served in Kosovo are rently ineligible for assignment incentive Mr. Chairman, I think this is a very eligible for AIP, whereas the soldiers who pay. straightforward amendment supported previously deployed and served in Bosnia are not. We believe these soldiers, whether hav- (b) REPORT REQUIRED.—Not later than 30 by the entire Minnesota delegation. My days after the date of the enactment of this ing served in Kosovo or in Bosnia, should be Act, the Secretary of the Army shall submit understanding is it expresses very treated equally for purposes of AIP eligi- to Congress a report— clearly that we expect people who per- bility. (1) specifying the number of members of form equally for their government are After consulting with House Armed Serv- the Army National Guard and the Army Re- meant to be treated equally. I also ask ices Committee staff, we conclude that this serve adversely affected by the disparate for the study and I support the amend- would best be treated as a Department of De- treatment afforded to members who pre- ment, as does this side of the aisle. fense (DOD) policy matter. There appears to viously served under a call or order to active be nothing in the law that would preclude Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance DOD from modifying the technical eligibility duty under section 12304 of title 10, United of my time. States Code, in determining eligibility for criteria, making these soldiers, and others assignment incentive pay; and Mr. GUTKNECHT. Mr. Chairman, I like them, eligible for AIP. (2) containing proposed remedies or courses thank the gentleman for his comments. Enclosed please find the letter we received of action to correct this inequity, including Mr. Chairman, I yield 11⁄2 minutes to from the MNNG soldiers who brought this allowing time served during a call or order the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. matter to our attention. Also enclosed is a to active duty under such section 12304 to KLINE). letter from Major General Larry W. Shellito, count toward the time needed to qualify for Mr. KLINE. Mr. Chairman, I thank Adjutant General of the MNNG. General assignment incentive pay. Shellito’s letter supports our view that a Mr. GUTKNECHT for his leadership on change to current policy regarding AIP is The Acting CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to this issue and for yielding me this needed. House Resolution 806, the gentleman time. After an initial review of this issue, we from Minnesota (Mr. GUTKNECHT) and a I rise today in strong support of this would request an update from your office. If Member opposed each will control 5 amendment. In my 25 years of military you have any questions, please do not hesi- minutes. service, sadly I have witnessed other tate to contact Fred Chesbro in Congressman The Chair recognizes the gentleman examples of pay discrepancies. It is un- John Kline’s office at (202) 225–2271. from Minnesota. fortunate that even today such issues Sincerely, John Kline; Martin Olav Sabo; James L. Mr. GUTKNECHT. Mr. Chairman, I arise, but I am pleased to be in a posi- Oberstar; Collin C. Peterson; Jim yield myself 11⁄2 minutes. tion now to help solve this problem. Ramstad; Mark Kennedy; Mark Day- Mr. Chairman, I will try to make this In a true sign of their dedication to ton; Gil Gutknecht; Betty McCollum; as simple as I can. We have one of the duty and camaraderie, many members Norm Coleman.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:32 May 11, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00130 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A10MY7.070 H10MYPT1 hmoore on PROD1PC68 with HMHOUSE May 10, 2006 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2471 Enclosures. below is an explanation of the different cat- 10, USC 12304, not 12302. Service time in Title egories of mobilization and what qualifies a 10, USC 12304 by law, does not apply toward JANUARY 27, 2006. Soldier for the entitlement to the Assign- an RC Soldier’s 730 days of PM (Title 10, USC DEAR CONGRESSMAN RAMSTAD: We are sol- ment Incentive Pay requested by the Sol- 12302) time. When they mobilized for this diers in the Minnesota National Guard cur- diers in their letter of January 27, 2006. In current mission under the provisions of Title rently in Mississippi training to go to Iraq, their letter they referred to Assignment In- 10, USC 12302, they still had 730 days remain- and we have a concern we hope you can help centive Pay as ‘‘pay called COTTAD’’. ing on their PM mobilization clock. They us with. Within federal law there are different types will never reach the 731st day of mobilization As you know, for some of us, this is not our of authority to mobilize the Reserve Compo- since this mission will end in approximately first deployment; many of us also went to nents (RC). The two types of authority per- 608 days. Therefore, their signing a Volun- Bosnia or Kosovo in 2003–2004. Because of our taining to this matter are Title 10, USC teer/Waiver Certificate agreeing to be re- prior deploymemt those of us that went to 12302, called Partial Mobilization (PM) Au- mobilized is all that is required by the Army. Bosnia or Kosovo had to sign a volunteer thority and Title 10 USC 12304, referred to as form to go on the OIF rotation we have been The provisions of federal law creating As- Presidential Reserve Callup (PRC). Since signment Incentive Pay (AIP) recognized the tasked with. But, here comes the problem, President Bush signed Executive Order 13223 there is a type or pay called COTTAD that is hardship of prolonged periods of mobilization on September 14, 2001 authorizing partial on RC Soldiers. When Congress passed the specific to soldiers who have been recently mobilization of the reserve components, deployed. The guys who went to Bosnia are law they included Soldiers accruing 730 days Minnesota Soldiers have been mobilized of PM (12302) mobilization time and volun- not going to receive this pay; however, the under the provisions of both Partial Mobili- soldiers that went to Kosovo are going to re- teering under the provisions of Title 10, USC zation Authority and Presidential Reserve 12301 (d) to remain on duty past 730 days with ceive this pay. We feet that anyone who vol- Call-up Authority, depending upon the needs unteered to go to Iraq after recently going their unit to finish their current mission as of the Army. qualifying for AIP. Congress omitted PRC on a separate deployment are entitled to The Soldiers from 1st Platoon, Company B, (12304) mobilization time as counting toward that extra pay, and should not be discrimi- 2nd Battalion, 136th Infantry who wrote to the 730-day maximum a Soldier can accrue nated based on where and when they were de- you were previously mobilized in July 2003 before being required to volunteer for ployed before. and sent to Bosnia as part of Stabilization COTTAD (12301 (d)). Being deployed is a hardship. We take time Force (SFOR) 14. The Army mobilized those off from our fami1y and friends, many of us Soldiers using Title 10, USC 12304, PRC. The This situation was explained to the Sol- are trying to finish our civilian educations maximum length of this types of mobiliza- diers from 1st Platoon, Company B, 2nd Bat- or advance our civilian careers, and we have tion is 270 days and most of these Soldiers talion, 136th Infantry who previously mobi- put all that on hold and volunteered for this returned from the mission and left active lized for the Bosnia mission under the PRC rotation. Now, because of what best we can duty in March or April of 2004. Each Soldier’s (12304) mobilization authority prior to their tell is a technicality, we will not be receiv- individual record may have a different re- signing of the required Volunteer/Waiver ing a substantial amount of pay. This affects lease from active duty date based on their Certificate. None of these Soldiers will reach a lot more soldiers than those that signed flight back to the United States and the the 730th day of PM authority on this cur- this letter; hundreds are affected by this. length of time out-processing at Ft. McCoy, rent mission and will not serve under the But we, unfortunately, do not have the time WI. COTTAD provisions of Title 10, USC 12302 (d). to have them all sign this letter. However, I Other Soldiers from the same organization, We believe any mobilization should count believe that most would have the same view- 2nd Battalion, 136th Infantry, mobilized in towards qualifying for AIP. Soldiers sent to point as we do. October 2003 and went to Kosovo as part of Bosnia served under the same conditions as Congressman, we would appreciate any KFOR 5B. These Soldiers mobilized for a pe- their fellow Soldiers who went to Kosovo. help you can give us. If you have time can riod of 365 days, which exceeds the time limit They underwent the same hardships caused you please respond to us and let us know if on PRC and therefore the Army mobilized by separation from family and civilian em- there is anything you can do. Thank you for these Soldiers using Title 10, UCS 12302, PM ployer. However, we have no options to grant taking the time to read this. authority. Partial Mobilization authority AIP to the soldiers who previously mobilized 1ST PLATOON BRAVO COMPANY CREWS. has a maximum time limit of 730 days. The under PRC (12304) until they have also served KFOR Soldiers returned to the United States 730 days under PM authority. CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES, in the August or September 2004 time period. House of Representatives, March 24, 2006. Another provision of federal law impacting The solution to this problem is for Con- Interested Soldiers from 1st Platoon, on this situation is Title 10, USC 12302 (b), gress to change the federal law authorizing Company B, 2nd Battalion, 136th CAB 1 BCT, whereby all members of the RC must receive AIP and include previous mobilization under 2490 25th SF, Camp Shelby, MS 39407 fair treatment when being considered for re- either authority, PM (12302) or PRC (12304), (ATTN: B Co. 1SG) call to duty without their consent. Secretary as counting on the Soldier’s mobilization DEAR SOLDIERS: Thank you very much for of Defense Rumsfeld has directed he will per- clock to reach 730 days, after which the Sol- taking the time to write to me. While it is sonally approve or disapprove any member of dier may volunteer to remain on mission in always good to hear from fellow Minneso- RC who has previously been involuntarily COTTAD (12301 (d)) status and earn AIP. tans, it is especially meaningful to hear from mobilized under either PM or PRC since Sep- I hope this information from Colonel Lang- members of the Minnesota Army National tember 11, 2001. All of the Soldiers writing to ley is helpful to you. Please be assured we Guard. I appreciate that you brought to my you on January 27, 2006 were asked to volun- will continue to do everything we can to pro- attention the issue of compensating Soldiers teer for remobilization during their Soldier vide Soldiers with the necessary information who, like you, are mobilized in support of Readiness Processing in Minnesota during to make informed decisions about re- the Global War on Terrorism. the June through September 2006 time period mobilization and their entitlements. It is al- In response to your request, I’ve asked my and did sign a Volunteer/Waiver Certificate. ways my pleasure to respond to the concerns staff to research the current law and to pro- Soldiers not signing the Volunteer/Waiver of our Congressional delegation regarding vide me with possible recommendations tak- Certificate were removed from this current Soldiers of the Minnesota National Guard. ing into account your special circumstances. mobilization. Sincerely I believe it is particularly important to pro- The maximum length of Partial Mobiliza- LARRY W. SHELLITO, vide fair and equitable pay and benefits to tion for any RC Soldier is 730 days. The mis- MAJOR GENERAL, MINNESOTA ARMY all members of our armed services, active sion length of the mobilization for the Sol- National Guard, The Adjutant General. and reserve components alike. diers in the 1st Brigade Combat Team is 608 Please know that I am very proud of you days, ending in May and June 2007. No RC Mr. SNYDER. Mr. Chairman, I sup- and I applaud each of you for stepping for- Soldier is required to serve more than 730 port this amendment, and I yield back ward and volunteering to serve our State and days of PM time under this current Execu- the balance of my time. Nation during these challenging times. tive Order 13223. Any Minnesota Soldier who Sincerely, served in Kosovo has already accrued a pre- Mr. GUTKNECHT. Mr. Chairman, I JOHN KLINE, vious PM period of approximately 330 to 360 yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from Member of Congress. days, depending on their return flight and Connecticut (Mr. SIMMONS). out-processing time. When added together Mr. SIMMONS. Mr. Chairman, I rise DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY, the 608 days on this current mission, plus at in strong support of this amendment. I Saint Paul, Minnesota, March 13, 2006. least 330 days from the previous Kosovo mis- had the honor to serve 4 years on ac- Hon. JOHN KLINE, sion, the Soldier’s mobilization time exceeds Representative in Congress, Burnsville, MN. the maximum of 730 days. Soldiers in this tive duty in the U.S. Army and over 30 DEAR CONGRESSMAN KLINE: Thank you for situation, in addition to volunteering to be years as a member of the U.S. Army your inquiry of March 10, 2006 raising con- remobilized, had to volunteer to serve be- Reserve, and as somebody who has cerns regarding the compensation of Soldiers yond the 730th day in a different portion of commanded troops who have deployed, mobilized for deployment in support of the federal law called Contingency Temporary there is nothing more demoralizing to Global War on Terrorism. Your issues were Tour of Active Duty (COTTAD), which is get unequal pay for equal duty. researched by Colonel Greg Langley, Mobili- Title 10, USC 12301 (d). zation and Readiness Officer for the Joint Soldiers mobilized to go to Bosnia pre- To support a resolution that provides Force Headquarters in Minnesota. Detailed viously served under the provisions of Title for equity for our Guard and Reserve is

VerDate Aug 31 2005 06:06 May 11, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00131 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A10MY7.075 H10MYPT1 hmoore on PROD1PC68 with HMHOUSE H2472 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 10, 2006 very important. I thank the gentleman This issue is about fairness. Unless some- ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER for his amendment. thing is done to change this Army policy, PRO TEMPORE Mr. GUTKNECHT. Mr. Chairman, I these soldiers and their families will lose out The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- 1 yield 1 ⁄2 minutes to the gentleman on $6,000 to $7,000 in extra pay. They are ant to clause 8 of rule XX, the Chair from Minnesota (Mr. KENNEDY). making a huge sacrifice for our country and will postpone further proceedings Mr. KENNEDY of Minnesota. Mr. this is the least we can and should do for today on the motion to suspend the Chairman, I rise today in strong sup- these men and women. rules on which a recorded vote or the port of this amendment offered by my Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Chairman, I rise today yeas and nays are ordered, or on which good friend, Mr. GUTKNECHT. This in strong support of this important amendment, the vote is objected to under clause 6 of amendment fixes a pay disparity cur- which seeks to end a pay disparity for our rule XX. rently affecting almost 400 Minnesota brave men and women who are serving in Any record vote on the postponed National Guard, men and women, serv- harm’s way. question will be taken tomorrow. ing in Iraq. These members of the 1st Today, Mr. Chairman, Minnesota National Platoon Bravo Company were pre- Guard troops are serving in the War on Terror f viously on active duty in 2003, some in in Afghanistan and Iraq, with more than 3,000 ENCOURAGING ALL ELIGIBLE Bosnia and some in Kosovo, and I was citizen soldiers recently called to service in MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES TO pleased to be able to visit them with support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. REVIEW AVAILABLE OPTIONS TO Mr. GUTKNECHT. As my colleague has previously explained, DETERMINE WHETHER ENROLL- However, unlike the soldiers that at least 400 of these 3,000 Minnesotans in MENT IN A MEDICARE PRE- served in Kosovo, the Bosnia contin- Iraq will not be receiving the same pay as SCRIPTION DRUG PLAN BEST gent is not eligible for the extra $1,000 many others in their unit. MEETS THEIR NEEDS FOR PRE- These are troops who have now bravely a month incentive pay based on the cir- SCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE cumstances of their mobilization. served our country in two foreign theaters. Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I This technicality will cost these sol- These troops not only deserve our utmost re- move to suspend the rules and agree to diers and their families up to $7,000. spect and gratitude, they also deserve their the resolution (H. Res. 802) encouraging That is simply unfair and must be cor- full compensation for their service and sac- all eligible Medicare beneficiaries who rected. That is why I support this rifice. have not yet elected enroll in the new amendment which directs the Army to Mr. Chairman, the Minnesota National Medicare Part D benefit to review the fix this disparity so those who have Guard truly represents the very best of duty, available options and to determine equally sacrificed for their country re- honor and country. I join the people of the whether enrollment in a Medicare pre- ceive equality of pay. Third Congressional District in thanking our Guard members for their selfless service. scription drug plan best meets their Again, I thank Mr. GUTKNECHT for his And I’d like to thank my colleague from Min- current and future needs for prescrip- leadership on this issue. nesota for sponsoring this important amend- tion drug coverage. b 1900 ment and thank all my colleagues from the The Clerk read as follows: Mr. GUTKNECHT. Mr. Chairman, I Minnesota delegation for cosponsoring the H. RES. 802 will be very brief. amendment and working to end this pay dis- Whereas Medicare now offers a prescrip- I want to thank my colleagues from parity. tion drug benefit for its beneficiaries, known Minnesota for helping to resolve this I urge my colleagues to support this impor- as Medicare Part D; inequity. I want to thank the gen- tant amendment. Whereas more than 35,900,000 Medicare eli- tleman from Connecticut and my col- Mr. GUTKNECHT. Mr. Chairman, I gible individuals are receiving prescription drug coverage, of which there are more than leagues from Arkansas. yield back the balance of my time. The Acting CHAIRMAN (Mr. DUN- 27,000,000, including a substantial number of In the big picture, when we were CAN). All time for debate having ex- low-income and minority beneficiaries, re- talking about spending hundreds of bil- pired, the question is on the amend- ceiving coverage through the new benefit; lions of dollars, $7,000 for these families ment offered by the gentleman from Whereas 8,100,000 beneficiaries have en- does not seem like a lot of money in rolled in stand alone Medicare prescription Minnesota (Mr. GUTKNECHT). the big picture. But to those families, drug plans; The amendment was agreed to. Whereas estimates indicate that the aver- $7,000 is extremely important. So I ap- The Acting CHAIRMAN. No further preciate your support tonight to make age beneficiary will save more than $1,100 amendment being in order, under the this year alone by enrolling in a Medicare certain that we have equity and create rule, the Committee rises. prescription drug plan; a solution for this problem that is fair Accordingly, the Committee rose; Whereas the average monthly premium for to all of the folks who are proudly serv- and the Speaker pro tempore (Mr. ING- enrolling in a Medicare prescription drug ing us in uniform wherever in the LIS of South Carolina) having assumed plan is now just $25 per month, which is far world, but particularly in Iraq. the chair, Mr. DUNCAN, Acting Chair- below the initial estimate of $37 per month; Mr. PETERSON of Minnesota. Mr. Chair- man of the Committee of the Whole Whereas recent surveys of Medicare bene- ficiaries enrolled in Medicare prescription man, I rise today to support the Gutknecht House on the State of the Union, re- amendment along with my fellow MN Col- drug plans indicate that beneficiaries are ported that that Committee, having satisfied with their coverage; leagues. had under consideration the bill (H.R. Whereas advocacy groups including the In January these soldiers wrote to me and 5122) to authorize appropriations for AARP, National Alliance for Hispanic every member of the MN delegation asking for fiscal year 2007 for military activities Health, the National Medical Association, help. And I believe as their representatives we of the Department of Defense, to pre- and the National Council on Aging have all have an obligation to address their concerns. scribe military personnel strengths for sponsored enrollment events designed to en- This amendment will correct a technicality fiscal year 2007, and for other purposes, courage eligible beneficiaries to enroll in Medicare prescription drug plans; that is affecting 400 Minnesota National had come to no resolution thereon. Guardsmen who are now serving in Iraq. And Whereas Area Agencies on Aging, State f Health Insurance Programs (SHIPs), and who knows how many other hundreds or even REQUEST FOR REMOVAL OF NAME other local and community organizations are thousands of reservists all over the country available to provide seniors with assistance have fallen victim to a similar technicality . OF MEMBER AS COSPONSOR OF and answer their questions about how to se- Most of these soldiers had previously H.R. 4200 lect the Medicare prescription drug plan that served on active duty in 2003, some in Bosnia Mrs. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. best meets their needs; and the others in Kosovo. The two groups Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to Whereas pharmacists are on the front line were activated by different orders and now remove myself as a cosponsor from in delivering prescriptions to Medicare bene- both of these groups are activated together H.R. 4200. ficiaries and continue to be instrumental in The SPEAKER pro tempore. Because providing valuable information and assist- under the same order in Iraq. ance about the new benefit; The soldiers who served in Bosnia are not H.R. 4200 has been placed on the Union Whereas in recent months Members of Con- eligible for the extra $1,000 per month in in- Calendar, pursuant to clause 7 of rule gress have hosted hundreds of events and the centive pay because their tours cannot be XII the gentlewoman’s request may not Secretary of Health and Human Services, the added together due to a mere technicality. be entertained. Administrator of the Centers for Medicare &

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