Conference Report on H.R. National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019
Floor Speech
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Mr. TURNER. Mr. Speaker, I want to begin by thanking Chairman Thornberry for his leadership in bringing this bill to the floor.
I strongly support H.R. 5515, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019, the 58th consecutive NDAA passed by Congress.
I also want to thank our leadership--Speaker Ryan, Kevin McCarthy, Steve Scalise, and Patrick McHenry--for their contribution to this bill being a contribution to readiness. This is about increasing the top line, increasing national defense spending, and increasing support for our men and women in uniform. I want to thank them for their leadership in accomplishing that.
I have the privilege of serving as the chairman of the Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee, and I would like to recognize our subcommittee ranking member, Ms. Niki Tsongas. I want to thank Niki for her support on the subcommittee and as co-chair of the Military Sexual Assault Prevention Caucus.
Throughout her tenure in Congress, Niki has worked in a solidly bipartisan fashion to support our warfighters, improve the readiness of our military, and help our servicemembers eliminate sexual assault in uniform. She is leaving behind a strong legacy of accomplishments.
Within our subcommittee's jurisdiction, this bill recommends authorization for over $97 billion in modernization funding that is necessary to regain our advantage against peer competitors.
This bill recognizes the importance of the fifth-generation strike fighter and supports the President's budget request for 77 Joint Strike Fighters. It also authorizes the Department to procure an additional F- 35 aircraft if funds become available through cost savings and program efficiencies.
The bill includes several oversight provisions to combat the physiological episodes occurring in military aircraft. We now require the Department to certify that all new aircraft will have the latest technology to keep our pilots healthy and safe.
In the bill, Congress reiterates the importance of the Air Force's JSTARS program. For more than 25 years, the aircraft has provided our warfighters command, control, and surveillance of ground battle. JSTARS have flown over 130,000 combat hours and will be an integral piece of the Air Force's arsenal for years to come.
For the seventh consecutive year, this bill addresses sexual assault.
I encourage my colleagues to support this bill.
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