National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022

Floor Speech

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Mr. GALLEGO. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4350, the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2022.

I congratulate my colleagues for fulfilling our obligation to debate and pass the National Defense Authorization Act. This year's bill contains multiple provisions to address strategic challenges presented by China, to confront our adversaries in the gray zone of conflict, and to strengthen the relationships with key allies and partners.

As chair of the Intelligence and Special Operations Subcommittee, I am proud of the provisions in this bill that represent critical reforms to the defense intelligence enterprise, special operations forces, our ability to counter weapons of mass destruction.

Our bill creates more agility across the defense intelligence enterprise by breaking down barriers to information sharing to enhance warfighters and combatant commanders in their ability to counter China and Russia in the information environment and focusing on expanding access to partners such as India and our steadfast Nordic partners such as Finland.

The bill further supports rigorous oversight of our security posture in Afghanistan and includes provisions to better understand the Department's plans to address the threat environment while postured in an over-the-horizon capacity. Importantly, the bill also contains $500 million in relocation support for Afghan SIV holders.

Finally, our bill authorizes an increase of $105 million to the Cooperative Threat Reduction Program, which will enhance our efforts to detect and fight emergent chemical and biological threats and develop medical countermeasures such as vaccines and therapeutics.

Most importantly, I want to thank subcommittee Ranking Member Trent Kelly for his contribution to this bill and his bipartisanship, which helped create the foundations of such a strong bill during a particularly challenging year. I would also like to thank the staff-- Shannon Green, Jessica Carroll, Zachary Taylor, and Patrick Nevins--for their tireless efforts to get it across the finish line.

Colleagues, in addition to meeting the most pressing security challenges we face as a Nation today, this bill supports our servicemembers with a 2.7 percent pay raise, increases parental leave for military families, improves women's healthcare, and combats extremism in the military.

Madam Speaker, this is a good bill, and I urge my colleagues to support it.

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