National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022

Floor Speech

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Mr. BACON. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the National Defense Authorization Act. I commend the outstanding leadership of Chairman Smith and Ranking Member Mike Rogers for delivering strong, bipartisan legislation that provides for our common defense.

While I am personally grateful that this bill includes dozens of my provisions, I am most proud of the fact that the bill sends a clear bipartisan message that we must keep our national defense spending level with inflation and reject the temptation to cut defense when our allies and enemies are questioning American leadership. As the White House's own strategic guidance states, America must confront global challenges from a position of strength, not weakness.

I am also proud that this bill includes multiple provisions ensuring oversight and accountability for the recent debacle in Afghanistan. As we stand here today, this crisis is ongoing, with hundreds of U.S. citizens and residents, including my constituents from Nebraska, who are still trapped in Afghanistan. Oversight of the way the botched withdrawal was handled is not and should not be a partisan issue, and I am proud that the House has not backed away from its responsibilities.

Madam Speaker, I urge support of this bill.

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