On the recordMay 17, 2012
I yield myself 2 minutes. As the ranking member on Readiness, I rise in strong opposition to this amendment, Mr. Chairman. The amendment flies in the face of the total force management provisions adopted by Congress on a bipartisan basis in last year's defense bill and supported by the sponsor of this amendment. Defense Secretary Panetta has stated he is committed to promoting and facilitating improved total force management that is requirements-based and delivers the appropriate mix of civilian, military, and contracted support. The amendment does not simply lift the A 76 moratorium, as the author suggests. I would note that our committee, on a bipartisan basis, rejected an amendment to lift the moratorium by a bipartisan 25 36 vote. This amendment simply guts how the Department of Defense manages its personnel and reduces oversight of many contracted functions. The amendment is contrary to the bipartisan consensus that this Congress has forged in how DOD should and can manage its personnel. So I'm asking, do not vote on lifting the A 76 moratorium. Say ``no'' to this amendment. And I urge my colleagues to oppose it. I reserve the balance of my time.
