[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 96 (Thursday, June 16, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4294-S4295]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BILL

  Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, I wish to enter into a colloquy with my 
colleague from Arizona.
  The National Defense Authorization Act which the Senate passed this 
week is the most critical piece of legislation for our national 
security that we debate each year, and I thank my colleague from 
Arizona, the chairman of the Armed Services Committee, for his hard 
work on this legislation.
  One important provision that should be in the final NDAA is the 
elevation of

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Cyber Command. Cyber warfare is taking place every day. It is a domain 
of war that our Nation must dominate just as we do on land, at sea, and 
in the air. At the rate electronic warfare is growing, I believe 
elevating Cyber Command to a combatant command is vital to ensuring 
that the United States is fully prepared for cyber warfare and has 
unparalleled capabilities in that domain.
  Does my colleague from Arizona feel the same?
  Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, I strongly agree with my friend from 
Montana.
  Elevating Cyber Command is one of the most critical pieces to 
ensuring our Nation is at the forefront of the rising threats abroad. 
Earlier this year in the Armed Services Committee, I held a hearing on 
Cyber Command. I was told by the commander of Cyber Command, ADM Mike 
Rodgers, that this elevation would make them faster, generating better 
mission outcomes. These are the individuals we have leading the fight 
against ISIS on the newly established online battlefield--better 
mission outcomes is something we need.
  At a time when we are also debating what the entire combatant command 
structure should look like, one thing is clear: Cyber is growing, and 
its command structure needs to grow as well. I look forward to ensuring 
this debate is settled in conference and Cyber Command is elevated to a 
combatant command.
  Does my colleague from Montana agree?
  Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, I do share my colleague from Arizona's 
commitment to elevate Cyber Command to a combatant command in 
conference. The House NDAA includes a provision to elevate Cyber 
Command, and I stand with eight bipartisan Members of the Senate, 
including my colleague from Arizona, who support this effort. It is 
paramount that the final fiscal year 2017 NDAA that goes to the 
President's desk includes this provision.
  Can my colleague from Arizona further describe the value that 
elevating Cyber Command would bring?
  Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, for years, our enemies have been setting 
the norms of behavior in cyber space while the White House sat idly by 
hoping the problem will fix itself. With the elevation of Cyber 
Command, we are able to ensure we set ourselves on the right course for 
this new form of warfare. And we will do it without creating a hollow 
force. Just as it would be unacceptable to send a soldier to battle 
without a rifle, it is unacceptable to deprive our cyber forces the 
basic tools they need to execute their missions. We must remain 
committed to ensuring Cyber Command has the authority, the funding, and 
the tools it needs to succeed.
  I look forward to the continued work on this issue with my colleague 
from Montana and to working in conference to ensure this elevation. I 
understand my colleague from Montana has ensured the Defense 
appropriations legislation complements our efforts in cyber command.
  Can you elaborate on your efforts?
  Mr. DAINES. My colleague from Arizona is correct. My provisions in 
the Defense appropriations legislation states that the Department of 
Defense has the funding needed to elevate Cyber Command to a combatant 
command this year. We cannot wait for our enemies to outmaneuver us on 
this new battlefield. Elevating Cyber Command to a combatant command is 
one of the best ways we can ensure our troops have the authority they 
need to succeed.
  I want to thank my colleague from Arizona for his commitment to a 
continued effort on the elevation of Cyber Command and thank him for 
his continued hard work on behalf of the men and women of our Armed 
Forces.
  (At the request of Mr. Durbin, the following statement was ordered to 
be printed in the Record.)

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