National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022

Floor Speech

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Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I, too, rise in strong support of H.R. 4350, the fiscal year National Defense Authorization Act.

H.R. 4350 represents a truly bipartisan bill, and I want to thank Chairman Smith for his tremendous leadership and cooperation in helping fashion it. This has been a truly bipartisan endeavor.

Over the last few months, we have seen the best of our soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, and guardians. They have performed in the toughest of environments with the greatest level of skill and professionalism. Many gave their lives so others would have a chance for a better life. Without a doubt, our military is the greatest force the world has ever seen.

Providing the authorities and resources for our service that our servicemembers need to defend our Nation and defeat our adversaries is the greatest responsibility we have here in Congress. We accomplished that responsibility with the bill before us today. H.R. 4350 ensures our warfighters are the best equipped and trained in the world.

The bill puts our servicemembers first, providing a 2.7 percent pay increase and expanding benefits for their families. It also puts American workers first with historic investments in our defense industrial base. It also begins divesting legacy systems that will not help us deter future threats. Instead, it invests in new technologies like AI, hypersonics, and quantum computing that will help us stay ahead of our adversaries.

That is important because Russia and China are rapidly modernizing their militaries. China is outpacing us with advancements in emerging technologies and weapons systems, and we know China isn't building these capabilities purely for defense. In recent years, we have seen China use its military to push out its borders, threaten our allies, and gain footholds on new continents.

H.R. 4350 is laser-focused on preparing our military to prevail in a conflict with China. It makes critical investments in new systems capable of surviving in a contested environment. It includes provisions that will remove China from our defense supply chain, and it reaffirms our support to allies in the region, especially Taiwan. Unfortunately, threats from near peer adversaries like China and Russia are not the only ones we face. Terrorists continue their plots to destroy our way of life, and we must continue to take the fight to them anywhere and anytime they threaten us. With strong investments in new capabilities and readiness, this bill enables our warfighters to do just that.

Finally, regardless of how you feel about the war in Afghanistan, Madam Speaker, I think we are all horrified by its disastrous withdrawal. This bill includes over 20 provisions to provide accountability to get us answers to questions we have been asking for here for months.

This is a strong, bipartisan bill that will enhance our oversight of the DOD and ensure our military is properly resourced and equipped to defend our Nation and our allies.

Madam Speaker, I urge all Members to support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Turner).

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Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Lamborn), who is the ranking member of the Readiness Subcommittee.

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Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wittman), the ranking member of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee.

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Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Missouri (Mrs. Hartzler), the ranking member of the Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee.

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Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Kelly), the ranking member of the Intelligence and Special Operations Subcommittee.

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Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Gallagher), the ranking member of the Military Personnel Subcommittee.

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Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Banks), the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Cyber, Innovative Technologies, and Information Systems.

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Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bacon), a great member of the Armed Services Committee.

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Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Moore), one of our outstanding freshman Members.

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Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Oklahoma (Mrs. Bice), an outstanding member of our Armed Services Committee.

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Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. DesJarlais), another fine member of the Armed Services Committee.

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Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Gaetz), another fine member of the Armed Services Committee.

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Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, as I have made clear, I feel very strongly that this is a really strong, bipartisan bill. I urge all Members of the House to support it.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

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Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, this is a fine piece of legislation in a stand-alone fashion. In fact, I voted for the gentleman's stand-alone bill. I think what he is trying to accomplish is admirable and should be accomplished, but not in the National Defense Authorization Act.

He knows that I am not picking on his bill. I feel this way about anything that is not in our jurisdiction.

But having said that, the language is not related to the NDAA, and I urge opposition.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

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Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, it is my understanding that the ranking member of the committee of jurisdiction is opposed. Therefore, I must be opposed.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

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Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, the amendment allows some of the most hardened terrorists in U.S. custody a platform to publicly broadcast their message. Letting these vicious terrorists know there is a public audience for their hate will do far more harm than good.

It is important to note that Federal courts have consistently stuck to their guns against broadcasting major terrorism cases, such as the trial of Zacarias Moussaoui. I see no reason to make an exception for terrorists at Guantanamo.

DOD has informed us they share these serious concerns and strongly oppose this amendment.

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Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I have a right to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I am concerned that adoption of this amendment would create a major recruiting platform for terrorists and create security risks.

The Biden administration is opposed to this amendment. I oppose this amendment, and I urge all of my colleagues to vote ``no.'' I yield back the balance of my time.

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