National Defense Authorization Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. McCONNELL. Today, by the grace of God, the genius of science, and the resilience of the American people, we appear to have a bright 2021 on the horizon. Our great Nation is poised to defeat this pandemic in the months ahead through safe and effective vaccines.

The pace of the American people's economic recovery has already beaten expectations and predictions. Thanks to the ingenuity of our citizens and historic relief policies from Congress, overall personal income in our country is already higher now than it was prior to the pandemic.

Now, the country needs more support, and the significant remaining pain is not--I repeat, not--evenly distributed, far from it. So we just enacted another historic $900 billion rescue package to get vaccines distributed, to keep small businesses alive, and to get a whole lot more targeted support to struggling people who actually need it. From multiple kinds of extra Federal unemployment benefits to nutrition assistance, rental assistance, direct cash, and beyond.

This latest, huge, historic package was just signed into law less than 1 week ago. It is beginning to take effect right now. Many households have already received the latest round of direct cash, or will receive it very soon, to help them turn the page into this brand new year.

While this huge new aid package takes effect, a bipartisan, commonsense caucus in both Chambers is not keen to let Speaker Pelosi and Senator Sanders rush to borrow half a trillion dollars for universal cash giveaways, regardless of need. A huge chunk would essentially be socialism for rich people--money flowing to households earning well into six figures who did not lose any jobs or income last year.

The House Democrats' bill is just simply not the right approach. That is what editorial pages across the political spectrum say. That is what even liberal economists say. And that is what common sense tells us.

Here is what the Senate is focused on: completing the annual Defense legislation that looks after our brave men and women who volunteer to wear the uniform. We passed this legislation 59 years in a row and, one way or another, we are going to complete the 60th annual NDAA and pass it into law before this Congress concludes on Sunday.

It is a serious responsibility, but it is also a tremendous opportunity to direct our national security priorities to reflect the resolve of the American people and the evolving threats to their safety at home and abroad. It is our chance to recommit to research and development so that our 21st century military is equipped to outmatch any adversary. It is our chance to ensure that we keep pace with competitors like Russia and China. It is our chance to remind brave servicemembers and their families that we have their backs with facilities, resources, and support benefiting the finest fighting forces in the world.

Over the past year, our colleagues on the Armed Services Committee have made sure the legislation delivers for our troops and for our Nation. Now it is time for us to deliver this bill.

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