Conference Report on H.R. William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021

Floor Speech

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Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Thornberry for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, we are in a period of great power competition. These are not just words; this is our new reality. We are seeing Russian, Chinese, Iranian, and North Korean aggression on a global scale. This is why I am confounded by some pundits who believe cutting defense spending at a time of great power competition is in our best interest. Anything less than our negotiated defense topline is capitulating our global standing to an ever-expanding China and Russia hegemony.

Additionally, there are some who believe that we should not pass this defense bill this Congress. I want to remind my friends that we are already 68 days late in delivering this defense bill to our Nation. Harmed by our delay is almost $8 billion in troop military construction. Harmed by our inaction is the potential shuttering of our Air Force's and Navy's premier training ranges at Nellis and Fallon. And most importantly, harmed by our continuing neglect are the countless servicemembers who rely on us for reasonable pay and benefits to support our national security. We must do better.

As to my Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, our conference is all about great power competition. We authorize an additional Virginia class submarine and eight additional P-8 submarine hunting aircraft to partially offset these great power advances. We pay down future readiness with our continued support of the next-generation bomber and Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine programs. And finally, we procure the long-neglected logistics that are essential to power projection. This is a strong mark to pay down our generation's contribution to our Nation `s future.

While I want to acknowledge Chairmen Smith and Courtney's leadership in their efforts as chairman of the full committee and chairman of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, I want to particularly thank Mac Thornberry for his 26 years of Congressional service. Mac, thank you so much for your leadership, for your continued focus and dedication to our Nation and to those brave men and women that serve this Nation.

I also thank Congressman Mike Rogers and congratulate him on his new role as the future Republican leader of the House Armed Services Committee. Mike, congratulations. We look forward to the continuation of the legacy of leadership from Mac Thornberry to you.

We have all seen the great service and great stewardship provided by both Chairman Thornberry and others, and, my friends, at this moment this is our time. Anything less than action on this bill now is turning our backs and ignores the servicemembers and their families who continue to serve the Nation.

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