National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018

Floor Speech

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Mr. Chair, I rise today to express my strong support for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018.

As the most recently deployed veteran serving in Congress, serving in Afghanistan just 2 years ago, I know the national security challenges facing our country firsthand. While these challenges are not easily solved, this legislation represents a significant step forward.

I want to take a moment and specifically thank Chairman Thornberry for his leadership and assistance to myself and other freshman members of the committee.

Working together with colleagues on both sides of the aisle, the Armed Services Committee has crafted a bill focused on rebuilding and reforming the Department of Defense. By procuring what we need, fixing what we already have, and by being good stewards of the taxpayers' dollars by proposing new contract audit reforms, this bill begins the hard work of getting our Department back on the right track.

While we cannot control the existential threats facing our Nation, we must ensure those in uniform are ready to address those threats when necessary.

Moreover, as this week's tragic C-130 accident that claimed the lives of 16 servicemembers reminded all Americans, our servicemembers place their lives on the line each day.

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From giving our troops a well-deserved raise to funding our vital missile defense programs, I believe this legislation begins the process of rebuilding and reforming our military so we are ready for whatever comes next.

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