National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022

Floor Speech

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Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

This amendment would prohibit the President, Vice President, and Cabinet members from contracting with the Federal Government. The amendment adds broad new language to the criminal code and could discourage people from entering Federal service. We should want and encourage the most qualified people to run for office and serve in our Federal Government.

This amendment is completely outside the scope of the NDAA and nothing more than a desperate attempt to score political points. This is the kind of unrelated amendment that does not belong in the NDAA.

We are now 8 months into the Biden administration, yet Democrats continue to push legislation, as mentioned by the previous speaker, that is targeted at the Trump administration.

But what else can Democrats talk about? Rising inflation caused by President Biden's failed economic policies? Rising crime caused by Democrats defunding the police? The Biden border crisis?

If Democrats were serious about ethics reform, they would carefully consider this as a standalone bill. Instead, they choose to slap it onto an unrelated bill with no discussion or thought. This amendment and provision should go through regular order so Members have the opportunity to debate and consider ethics reforms.

I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment.

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Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, this is not the bill for this amendment, and it certainly should go through the process and be given the consideration and discussion due true ethics reforms instead of amendments that simply target the former President and his administration.

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