William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021

Floor Speech

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Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman, Mr. Smith, for yielding. I thank Mr. Thornberry, the ranking member, for his efforts and partnership in bringing this bill to the floor in a bipartisan fashion.

I join the previous speaker in the premise that she posited with respect to forward-leaning, ready and able to engage and to participate as leaders of the free world in securing the benefits of freedom and liberty to our globe.

I want to thank Chairman Smith and the Armed Services Committee for ensuring a fair and bipartisan process as the House worked to craft a defense authorization bill that strengthens our national security and reflects our Nation's highest principles.

I want to thank, as I said, Mac Thornberry and Chairman Smith, who have worked together throughout this process.

I know that Democrats and Republicans on the committee and, indeed, in this House share a strong determination to do right by our troops and those they serve.

Let me also thank Chairman McGovern and the Rules Committee for working to ensure that this bill comes to the floor under a process that allows for Members to offer amendments they feel will make our national defense stronger, while making certain that our defense policies reflect the best of America and helps address our long-term challenges.

We consider this bill in a challenging environment. COVID-19 has attacked our people, our economy, and our country in a way unknown to any Member who serves in this body today. None of us are old enough to remember, of course, the Spanish flu, but we know that it did not have the same consequences in America that COVID-19 has had. It is a reminder that we are afflicted, not only by those who would cause us harm through armed might, but also through illness, climate change, and other natural disasters.

I regret that we were unable to include every item the Democrats supported as part of the compromise that will enable us to get this bill passed. But, of course, that is what a compromise is.

It is unfortunate that we could not take up an amendment rejecting the Trump administration ban on transgender Americans serving in our military. As John McCain once said so correctly: I don't care whether they are straight; I just care that they can shoot straight.

We look at conduct and character, not differences that are not relevant to our ability to respond and to serve. Ending that ban will continue to be a priority for House Democrats.

While not all amendments that were proposed will end up becoming part of the final bill we vote on, in their offering, Mr. Speaker, they played an important role in shaping the House's legislation and will surely continue to add to important policy discussions that we need to have in our country.

One observation I would make, Mr. Speaker, is that one of the aspects of COVID-19's assault on our country has been to have a somewhat attenuated debate and discussion. I have discussed with Mr. Smith and Mr. Thornberry on numerous occasions the need to have a very deep dive into the fiscal viability of our defense budget, as well as our domestic budget, so that we can ensure, in the future, that operations, training, and acquisitions do not suffer because of the lack of resources.

I am hopeful that the final bill we vote on tomorrow and send to the Senate will reflect a positive vision for our Nation's national defense and that it can pass with bipartisan support. I urge my Members to support it.

Our national security challenges are many, and they are serious. That is why the Democratic-led House will continue to do its job responsibly and to work bipartisanly to ensure that our Nation is kept safe and that those who serve on the front lines in its defense have all the resources they need to carry out their missions safely and effectively.

Again, Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Smith and the ranking member and all those who worked hard, including the committee staff who worked long hours under very stressful and unprecedented circumstances.

I urge, in closing, Mr. Speaker, all Members to support this legislation.

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