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National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022

Floor Speech

Date: Sept. 22, 2021
Location: Washington, DC

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Mr. PFLUGER. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act, and I applaud the efforts of Chairman Smith and Ranking Member Rogers to bring this bipartisan bill to the floor.

This bill boosts defense funding in line with the recommended 3 to 5 percent real growth needed to maintain our competitive edge over China. The debacle in Afghanistan has weakened our position on the global stage and is a propaganda boon for our adversaries seeking to dismantle the democratic world order. There is no doubt that China and Russia are eyeing this opportunity to cast doubts on U.S. resolve and our commitments. It is imperative that we reassure our allies and partners of American strength at every turn.

China is building its military and technological capabilities, and these investments will help achieve the next-generation joint fighting force, specifically of air and sea power.

I am an F-22 pilot and have flown against some of the world's most technologically advanced weapons systems. Now is the time that we need to take this seriously. Every threat around the world is looking at our vulnerabilities, and it is this body's work that will help us maintain those competitive advantages.

To meet these challenges head-on, we must fully embrace the whole-of- government approach to counter any malign intentions.

Congress is integral to this concept, and we must recognize these challenges and respond with strength at this time. We should not let perfect be the enemy of good, and we cannot delay this legislation at all. The strength of our military is at stake.

The readiness and lethality that the warfighters so desperately need, which this bill includes, is absolutely imperative to making sure the United States can meet any challenges and defeat any enemy around the world.

Madam Speaker, I urge passage of the underlying bill, and I look forward to ironing out our differences through the conference process.

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