-9999

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of my amendment which would require the Department of Defense and the VA take steps to investigate and mitigate the spread of disinformation within their ranks.

Bad actors are taking advantage of new technologies to effectively manipulate the public, spreading false information faster and further than ever before. Extremists are trying to blur the line between fact and fiction, which undermines confidence in reliable sources of information. The result is more polarization and less trust in our government.

This ultimately makes it easier for violent groups to recruit individuals, including servicemembers and veterans, to their causes.

We saw the devastating effects of disinformation in this very Chamber on January 6 of 2021. I will never forget sitting on the floor of my office in the dark, a baseball bat in my hand, hoping that I would live to see my son grow up.

Insurrectionists, motivated by disinformation, stormed the heart of American democracy. Over 80 of those charged in relation to January 6 had some form of military service.

America's military is not immune to the rising tide of extremism, nor is it immune to disinformation and conspiracy theories. Experts have shown that extremist groups target active military and veterans for recruitment.

We must act before it is too late. We must remain vigilant to the weaponization of disinformation that aims to polarize our society, create division, and damage trust in our institutions.

If left unchecked, the reckless spread of disinformation poses an existential threat to our democracy. I urge all my colleagues to support this amendment and the underlying package.

Mr. Speaker, this amendment is simple. It simply asks for a report evaluating the spread of disinformation within the military ranks and how that can be mitigated.

Respecting our troops and our veterans means protecting them from exploitation and from manipulation by bad actors such as Russian trolls.

Disinformation and propaganda not only create divisions in our society, they exploit vulnerabilities that already exist. This is a direct threat to our national security because it undermines trust and confidence within the ranks.

We must do more to reach out to all members of society, especially those who are most vulnerable to propaganda. Defending our democracy and bolstering our societal resilience requires it.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support this amendment and the underlying package.

In the face of what we have seen, the problems that disinformation and misinformation can cause, those who choose to willfully ignore it and not prepare for it are contributing to the potential violence.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source