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National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020

Floor Speech

Date: July 10, 2019
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Defense

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Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Chairman, I rise today with disappointment. What was once a bipartisan bill is now a vehicle for policies that hinder our readiness and our defense capabilities.

For almost 60 years, the NDAA has been a bipartisan endeavor. The NDAA fulfills the number one role of Congress: to provide for our common defense. But House Democratic leadership has turned this into yet another partisan bill.

Let me be clear. I support a pay raise for our troops. I support providing all warfighters with the best resources available and a National Defense Authorization Act that empowers America and our allies. But, unfortunately, this bill, in its current form, poses a significant threat to our ability to carry out the national defense strategy now and in the years ahead.

As President Reagan often said of our national defense strategy, ``Peace through strength.'' This bill does not--I repeat, does not-- show strength. We can and must do better.

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