House protects Guantanamo Bay, missile programs in DOD spending bill

In a 175-247 vote, the House turned away a proposal from Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.) to eliminate all language in the bill that prohibits the release or transfer of detainees at Guantanamo. Moran repeated his arguments that U.S. detention facilities in Cuba are hurting the U.S. reputation around the world and serve as a “rallying cry” for extremists around the world.

“Until we transfer and try the detainees, there is no denying that Guantanamo is hurting our national security,” he said.

{mosads}On missiles, the House killed an amendment from Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) that would have cut $70 million in unrequested funds related to the development of an East Coast Missile Defense site. Nadler said the Pentagon is already studying the site and that the extra funding is not needed, but the House disagreed in a 173-249 vote.

Also related to missiles, Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.) proposed language that would eliminate $107 million in funding for Ground-based Interceptor missiles, which he said has never been a feasible technology. But here again, the House disagreed and rejected his proposal 141-272.

Rep. Rich Nugent (R-Fla.) proposed a reduction in funding for a defense-wide rapid innovation program and increasing funding to develop a high power microwave cruise missile. This proposal was killed 93-327.

Elsewhere, Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) proposed a 10 percent cut to the Ohio-class submarine program, to give the Defense Department money to help it cope with the sequester. The House voted that idea down 49-372.

But the House did accept language from Rep. Tim Walberg (R-Mich.) to reduce the Afghanistan Infrastructure Fund by $79 million and move the sum to the spending reduction account. This amendment passed 283-139.

Several other amendments to the spending bill were considered early Tuesday evening, from:

— Tulsi Gaddard (D-Hawaii), increasing funding for the Navy Offensive Anti-Surface Warfare weapon and Air-Launched Long Range Anti-Ship Missile program by $104 million, offset with cuts in the DOD operations budget. Failed 50-372.

— Blumenauer, restoring funding for environmental restoration to fiscal year 2013 levels. Failed 176-242.

— Ted Poe (R-Texas), cutting funding to Pakistan by 50 percent, or $600 million. Failed 186-237.

— Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), designating $10 million in DOD’s research budget to improve the safety of advanced batteries. Withdrawn.

— Joe Heck (D-Nev.), transferring $15 million to produce the Iron Dome short-range rocket defense program in the United States. Passed in voice vote.

— Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-N.M.), increasing the Operationally Responsive Space program by $10 million to boost satellite deployment, and reducing funds elsewhere. Withdrawn.

— Carol Shea-Porter (D-N.H.), designating funding to study the Therapeutic Service Dog Training Program. Passed in voice vote.

— Beto O’Rourke (D-Texas), striking section 8058, which prohibits funds for use in maintaining military housing. Failed in voice vote.

— Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.), providing $30 million for the purchase of emergency response medical equipment sets for National Guard ambulances. Withdrawn.