Hal Rogers: “I thank the chairman for yielding. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this Defense Appropriations bill. The demands on…”

“I thank the chairman for yielding. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this Defense Appropriations bill. The demands on our military are high. We are confronted with escalating Russian and Chinese aggression, threats from ISIL and other Islamic terrorist groups, burgeoning nuclear programs in countries like North Korea, and ongoing war in Syria, Yemen, Libya, and other places. We just don't know what may sprout up next. But in the face of this uncertainty, we can ensure that our military forces are ready and able to meet whatever challenges may arise. We can make very sure that our troops and commanders have the tools and support that they need to protect this great Nation and our way of life. To this end, the bill provides $578.6 billion in discretionary funding. That is $24.4 billion above last year's level and includes $88.4 billion to ensure that we can meet the needs of our military as they fight the global war on terrorism. This level of funding complies with the caps set by the Budget Control Act, as well as the House-passed Defense Authorization bill. Within this total, the bill prioritizes military readiness, providing $219 billion for operation and maintenance programs that keep our troops trained and prepared to respond quickly and decisively. The bill also provides priority funding to ensure that our Armed Forces are supplied with the equipment and the weapons that they need to conduct successful military operations. Mr.…”