Charles Skelton: “Mr. Chairman, this has been quite a trying year for the Committee on Armed Services. Last year I stood with Floyd Spence…”

“Mr. Chairman, this has been quite a trying year for the Committee on Armed Services. Last year I stood with Floyd Spence to offer the bill, which was titled in his name. I am very glad that Congress approved that bill, not least as a tribute to Floyd. Since then, too, the passing of Herb Bateman and Norman Sisisky took from our committee and the Congress great knowledge and wisdom. A significantly compressed budget process challenged the committee's ability to maintain its required oversight role. And, more recently, the revived specter of military action led to consideration of significant changes in this bill. Through all this, Mr. Chairman, I am grateful for the friendship and the teamwork displayed by the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Stump). He has an open door and an open mind, which are in large part why I am able to say that I support this bill and ask my colleagues to do so as well. The road has been difficult, but the product is well worth the journey. When we began work on this bill, America was at peace. We looked at the future and saw a world of new threats, from less traditional sources and differing means. Our goal as a committee was twofold: to help the military services make their transitions into this new world, while maintaining their capabilities to meet the needs of the present.”