Jackie Speier: “Thank you to the ranking member and to Chairman McKeon for this opportunity. Mr. Chairman, I just want to highlight…”

“Thank you to the ranking member and to Chairman McKeon for this opportunity. Mr. Chairman, I just want to highlight three amendments that have been accepted en bloc. One is the public release of substantiated reports of misconduct. These reports that show substantiated misconduct by the highest-ranking officials in the Department of Defense are only released when there is a leak or there are tips to reporters. It is incumbent upon us to make sure that the public knows when the Department's highest level officials commit misconduct and shouldn't depend on leaks for accountability. The second amendment is a significant amendment for women-owned businesses in this country. For 20 years now, we have set a governmentwide goal of 5 percent. For 20 years, we have not met that 5 percent. This particular amendment takes away the extra obstacle that is imposed on women-owned businesses and not on others when sole-source contracting is provided. The third amendment provides for breast cancer research. The Interagency Breast Cancer and Environmental Research Coordinating Committee has recommended prioritizing prevention and intensifying the study of chemical and physical factors. This amendment urges that implementation. A 2009 study at Walter Reed Medical Center found that breast cancer rates among military women are significantly higher--in fact, 20 to 40 percent higher--than they are in women in similar age groups.…”