Rodney Frelinghuysen: “I thank the gentleman for yielding. Further, SOCOM has provided no information or data to support this costly new…”

“I thank the gentleman for yielding. Further, SOCOM has provided no information or data to support this costly new endeavor, and Congress has raised questions in both the authorization bill and the appropriations bill about the affordability and efficacy of this program. As our mark reflects, we have also raised serious concerns regarding SOCOM's prioritization of its requirements. Again this year, SOCOM proposed to fund their flying hour readiness programs at only 67 percent of their requirement, so they could fund these new contractors and facilities. They then made restoration of flying hours their number one unfunded priority. I believe it is ill-advised to provide a 50 percent increase to hire personal trainers, sports nutritionists, and sports psychologists for special operators at an average cost in excess of $200,000. With all due respect, all those who serve in our military--men and women, whether they be Active Duty, Guard, and Reserve or whether they are special operators--deserve the type of equipment and programs that keep them healthy and steadfast.”