June 20, 2006 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H4253 materials/packages in the field, neutralize bio- Defense Appropriations bill. In H.R. 5631, tax- into one by rewriting it in a Microsoft Windows logical/chemical agents when discovered, de- payer money is appropriated as a so-called environment. contaminate areas where bio/chem agents ‘‘bridge fund’’ for the first six months of war This program—the Army Legacy Logistics may have been released, and detect explo- operations during fiscal year 2007. But our Systems Modernization (SAMS–E)—modern- sives and contraband in a variety of chal- troops should be brought home immediately. izes computer logistics systems that are crit- lenging circumstances. The IAC and the ISU The bill’s billions are, in reality, a bridge to ical to the operation of the Army making them academic community, in collaboration with sci- more death and destruction. The United more efficient. entists and engineers from the private sector States’ continued occupation encourages Iraqi This effort will link the STAMIS modules and national laboratories, has been involved in civil war and feeds the insurgency, providing through the web, allowing for a sharing of in- developing technology for the remote detec- terrorists with refuge and recruits. formation and a flexible supply chain that can tion of hazardous materials and contraband for Once upon a time, Congress took its over- be redirected seamlessly on the battlefield. more than 15 years. Through these associa- sight role seriously. Not today. Despite a re- The result will be more efficient field logistics tions the IAC has devised non-intrusive means cent Pentagon report that found significant management that will save money and provide to identify the contents of containers of various cost overruns in 36 major weapons systems, soldiers with more dependable and reliable kinds that may contain Fissionable material, this bill increases defense spending by a management systems. I applaud the Subcommittee and Committee Radioactive material, Explosives, Hazardous whopping $19.1 billion. As a result, defense for putting forward this balanced bill and urge spending will now total more than half of the material (biological or chemical), and my colleagues to join me in supporting it. Contraband (FREHC) for homeland and na- entire federal discretionary budget! Mr. PAUL. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition tional security applications. Instead, we should provide quality education to this legislation. This bill is unfortunately very This project was requested by Idaho State and health care to all Americans. I urge my short on real defense spending and very gen- University in Pocatello, Idaho. colleagues to join me in voting no to additional erous with spending enormous amounts on The report contains $1 million for a program spending on ineffective missile systems and a expensive military equipment that is ultimately entitled Systematic Hierarchical Approach to counterproductive war. of very little use to defend our country. This Radiation Hardened Electronics (SHARE). As Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Chairman, bill will not do much to help our military troops. many of us know, consistent, reliable perform- thank you for recognizing me for some com- In fact, it gives the troops a pay raise lower ance of integrated circuits (IC) used in space ments on H.R. 5631 and I urge my colleagues than civilian federal employees. It short- communication, surveillance, and guidance to join me in supporting this balanced bill that changes them. systems continues to be a potentially debili- supports our troops and addresses critical The bill is very generous with spending on tating problem for the military services. The issues to our Nation’s safety and security. grossly over-budget acquisition of military problem has been aggravated by the rapid This bill provides $500 million in funding equipment of questionable value in our current and unsettling contraction of the industrial above the President’s request for the equip- times. Over the past 5 years, the Defense De- base needed to design and produce the spe- ment needs of the Army National Guard to partment has doubled spending on new weap- cialized electronics that must perform in appli- provide items needed for homeland defense ons systems from about $700 billion to nearly cations requiring high reliability in a chal- and disaster response. This funding is impor- $1.4 trillion. However a recent Pentagon report lenging radiation-charged environment. As one tant to our district in Houston because it is found significant cost overruns—50 percent of the principal users of radiation-hardened susceptible to flooding—as we are seeing right over original cost projections—in 36 major (RadHard) electronics, the U.S. Air Force is now—and the National Guard has played a weapons systems. These programs benefit pursuing technologies that will ensure a ready critical role in responding to past tropical well-connected defense contractors, but they and economical domestic capability for pro- storms and hurricanes in our district and along do not benefit the taxpayer and they do not ducing radiation hardened microelectronics the Gulf Coast. benefit the soldiers who risk their lives. using advanced commercial processes. Many Guard units are leaving equipment in The bill manages to spend hundreds of mil- SHARE has been identified by the Air Force Iraq when they finish their tour for future lions of dollars on foreign aid—$372 million to as a critical capability that will enable collabo- troops to use. This cuts down on transpor- Russia, for example—and the failed drug war, ration among circuit designers, simulation soft- tation costs, but it also leaves units here in the but it fails to address the real problems of a ware vendors, and foundries under the direc- U.S under-equipped to respond to a natural military force that has been seriously stretched tion of SEAMS Center AFRL at Kirtland AFB, disaster. The funding in this bill is necessary and challenged by an unprecedented level of NM. to ensure Guard units here at home have the sustained deployment overseas. I urge my col- This project was requested by American equipment to respond to these events. leagues to support a defense spending bill Semiconductor in Boise, Idaho. I also want to speak briefly on two important that really puts defense of the United States I appreciate the opportunity to provide a list projects included in this bill. first. of Congressionally-directed projects in my re- The first is the University of Houston Con- Mr. YOUNG of Florida. I yield back gion and an explanation of my support for sortium for Nanomaterials for Aerospace Com- the balance of my time. them. merce and Technology (CONTACT). For the The Acting CHAIRMAN. The com- Mr. STARK. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposi- past four years, the University of Houston has mittee will rise informally. tion to yet another bloated Defense Appropria- been partnering with several University of The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. tions bill. H.R. 5631 provides billions more for Texas System institutions, Rice University, CHOCOLA) assumed the Chair. missile defense systems that are nothing but and the Air Force Research Laboratory f a pipe dream and a War in Iraq that has (AFRL) in the Strategic Partnership for Re- MESSAGES FROM THE PRESIDENT turned into an international nightmare. search in Nanotechnology (SPRING). Federal Messages in writing from the Presi- Republicans in Congress should wake up funding for SPRING will end in FY06, and dent of the United States were commu- and smell the coffee. Another $9 billion for de- CONTACT will carry on the work started under nicated to the House by Ms. Wanda velopment of ineffective and outdated weap- that partnership. Evans, one of his secretaries. ons systems may boost the bottom lines of CONTACT will have two main goals: to en- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The their well-connected sugar daddies in the de- sure our national air superiority through Committee will resume its sitting. fense industry. But throwing good money after nanomaterials research and development, and bad will do little to make Ronald Reagan’s to commercialize nanomaterials developed by f Cold War fantasy a reality. Despite nearly scientists from Texas universities. This funding DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE $100 billion in research, these systems have will make use of existing infrastructure and en- APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2007 yet to demonstrate even a basic ability to able research, development and technology The Committee resumed its sitting. intercept incoming missiles. Even if they could, transfer that address three critical capabilities The Acting CHAIRMAN. All time for they’d do little to make us secure from the of the Air Force: power on demand, general debate has expired. much more likely and contemporary threat of reconfigurable full-spectrum detectors, and Pursuant to the rule, the bill shall be a weapon delivered by suitcase or cargo con- interdisciplinary fundamental nanoscience and considered for amendment under the 5- tainer. engineering. minute rule. Republicans have irresponsibly funded the The second project will modernize the During consideration of the bill for majority of their misguided Iraqi adventure Standard Army Retail Supply Systems amendment, the Chair may accord pri- through supplementals. But they couldn’t resist (SARSS) and Standard Army Ammunition ority in recognition to a Member offer- also including tens of billions more in today’s System (SAAS) and combine the two systems ing an amendment that he has printed VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:33 Jun 21, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A20JN7.043 H20JNPT1 hmoore on PROD1PC68 with HMHOUSE H4254 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE June 20, 2006 in the designated place in the CONGRES- fornia I agree, we certainly should not enlisted individuals earn less than SIONAL RECORD. Those amendments overthrow a democratically elected $2,000 per month even if they have com- will be considered read.