On the recordMay 17, 2012
I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to oppose the gentleman's amendment and impress upon my colleagues the importance of the short takeoff vertical landing capability of the F 35B and its contribution to the continued success of the United States Marine Corps. Mr. Chairman, so many years ago, as a young marine and a young marine pilot, I remember watching a jump jet--a Harrier--hovering over the ground. That Harrier, that AV 8A, went from being a novelty to growing and maturing to becoming an essential, integral part of the Marine air- ground team. That Harrier today is old and getting outdated and needs to be replaced. Similarly, I've watched the magic of the FA 18, a fantastic, top-of the-line, frontline fighter. Terrific aircraft. It can't take off and land vertically. It doesn't have the capability. And we need those capabilities that the ranking member, Mr. Smith, talked about--the stealth capability, the advanced capability--to become that integral part of the Marine air-ground team. So I encourage my colleagues to support the continued development of the F 35B and oppose the gentleman's amendment. The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from California has one minute remaining. {time} 1720 Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to my friend and colleague, a member of the committee, the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Courtney).
