Conference Report on H.R. National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019

Floor Speech

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Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 5515, the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019.

This report authorizes additional funding for nuclear modernization efforts. We make good on promises to improve defense-related infrastructure. It authorizes full funding for a low-yield nuclear warhead. It also postures the United States to credibly address the threat posed by Chinese and Russian strategic nuclear weapons in the future.

On missile defense, the conference report includes policy support and funding for space-based sensing, boost-phase intercept, hypersonics, and directed energy efforts.

Regarding national security space reform, this conference report establishes a sub-unified command for space. It tasks the Department with developing an alternative acquisition for national security space, and it directs the Department to deliver a space warfighting policy and readiness plan. These steps begin taking us down a path toward implementing President Trump's directive to establish a space force.

Finally, it also includes significant reforms as to how the DOD calculates work at our Nation's depots in an effort to modernize and streamline that process to better support both the depots and the warfighters who depend on them.

In conclusion, I want to thank the subcommittee's distinguished ranking member, Jim Cooper. He has been a great partner in this endeavor. I also thank Chairman Thornberry and Ranking Member Smith for their leadership in fashioning this outstanding bill.

I strongly urge my colleagues to support it.

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