National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022

Floor Speech

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Ms. CHU. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of my two amendments to the NDAA to ensure the Pentagon pays attention to the most vulnerable, both within the ranks and within the theaters of war, where they operate.

My first amendment is a response to the ongoing but still poorly understood problem of hazing in the military. For years, unchecked hazing has been eroding unit cohesion and troop morale. Too many, like my own nephew, Harry Lew, have died by suicide after having been mercilessly hazed by their fellow soldiers.

Stopping this requires understanding the problem, which is why this amendment extends regular reports through 2027 on hazing and what the Pentagon is doing to address it.

My second amendment is a response to the horrific August drone strike in Kabul that killed at least 10 civilians. This kind of mistake is inexcusable. These families can never get their loved ones back, but with just compensation they can begin to rebuild their lives. Accepting our responsibility is the bare minimum of what they deserve.

Madam Speaker, I urge support of this en bloc package.

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