Questions About the Defense Authorization Act
Kucinich gave the following speech in Congress on December 19, 2005:
In post-midnight debate on H.R. 1815, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006, Congressman Kucinich said:
"Mr. Speaker, in the last few minutes, I have gone through a few hundred pages of this bill, which I think it is instructive to know that $1 billion for a so-called Iraqi Freedom Fund is being authorized. We do not know what that is. There is $2.5 billion for classified ops in Iraq. We do not know what that is, certainly.
"On the issue of alleged clandestine detention facilities for individuals captured in the global war on terrorism, here is what it says: 'Conferees determined the amendment was outside the jurisdiction of the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives. So we still do not know whether or not this House has any authority to rein in the administration's rendition policies.
"I would ask the gentleman from California [Mr. Hunter] a question. I have just read a couple hundred pages. I have not seen the whole bill. Could the gentleman tell me if there is a provision in this bill that permits drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge?"
Mr. Hunter: "Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?"
Mr. Kucinich: "I yield to the gentleman from California."
Mr. Hunter: "No. As the gentleman knows, the ANWR position is not in this bill."
Mr. Kucinich: "Mr. Speaker, could the gentleman explain what the Iraqi Freedom Fund is about?"
Mr. Hunter: "Mr. Speaker, if the gentleman will continue to yield, the Iraqi Freedom Fund is a fund that includes money for body armor and lots of other equipment. It is a fund that we supply each year. It is a revolving fund that we keep money in so that the war-fighting commanders can buy what they need immediately when they need it."
Mr. Kucinich: "Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman's explanation. Could the gentleman clarify this report language on page 210 that says that the amendment was outside the jurisdiction of the Committees on Armed Services in the Senate and the House with respect to alleged clandestine detention facilities?"
Mr. Hunter: "Mr. Speaker, if the gentleman would further yield, let me just say to the gentleman that is a classified portion that is within the jurisdiction of the Intelligence Committee."
Mr. Kucinich: "So it is not covered in this report is what he is saying?"
Mr. Hunter: "That is correct."
Mr. Kucinich: "Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his explanation."
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