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Readiness Subcommittee Chairman Solomon Ortiz Opening Statement Full Committee Mark-Up of FY09 NDAA (H.R. 5658)

May 14, 2008

"The Readiness Subcommittee package before us today reflects the committee's concern about the continuing decline in the readiness posture of our armed forces. The mark authorizes $143 billion for operation and maintenance.

"More than six years of continuous combat operations have strained readiness. This strain is manifesting itself in more and more aspects of our military forces. To address readiness shortfalls in equipment, training, and maintenance, we have added $932 million - almost $1 billion - to operation and maintenance accounts.

"In addition, we have recommended that the committee add funds for Army training, prepositioned stocks and aircraft maintenance in the fiscal year 2009 supplemental.

"In response to the Defense Department's increasing reliance on contractor services, this mark requires a comprehensive analysis of what constitutes an 'inherently governmental function.' It requires OMB to develop a single definition that may be used consistently by all federal agencies.

"The mark includes provisions to address civilians deployed in combat zones. It gives DOD authority to extend the waiver of limitations on premium pay and asks for a thorough review of the medical policies and treatment procedures for civilians deployed to support military operations.

"To address depot workloads following equipment reset, the mark requires the Department of Defense to contract for an independent assessment of the organic capability that will be needed to provide depot-level maintenance in the future.

"The mark takes several actions related to energy and environmental policy. It authorizes $80 million for energy conservation projects and updates installation energy reporting requirements.

"For military construction, base realignment and closure, and family housing in fiscal year 2009, the mark authorizes more than $24 billion.

"The mark includes several provisions related to BRAC. In the time since the 2005 BRAC Commission reported its recommendations, we have seen costs increase almost 50% and savings decline.

"If a future administration were to request a new round of closures, the BRAC process will need to be dramatically different. As such, this year's mark repeals the BRAC Commission and the existing process that arrived at the 2005 decisions.

"The subcommittee remains steadfast to completing the 2005 BRAC round on time, by September 2011, and has fully funded the administration's request.

"To address our alarm at finding our troops in run down and broken barracks, the mark recommends that funds in the fiscal year 2009 supplemental be directed to arrest the declining state of military facilities.

"This is a good mark, and I am pleased to present it to the full committee today for your consideration. It reflects our bipartisan desire to improve readiness and balance the many priorities of our military.

"I thank my ranking member, Mr. Forbes from Virginia, for his help in preparing this mark.

"I also would like to express my appreciation to the Committee staff - especially the Readiness Subcommittee staff - for all their work on this extraordinary bill."