[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 [[Page S4295]] 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.) ____________________