National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024

Floor Speech

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Mr. ROSE. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of my three amendments to the Fiscal Year 2024 NDAA that are included in en bloc No. 4.

My first amendment adds as a sense of Congress that the MQ-9 Reaper drone should be utilized to the greatest extent possible in the Indo- Pacific. I am proud to represent the 118th Wing of the Tennessee National Guard, which operates the MQ-9. With investments, the MQ-9 drone has the potential to provide many more years of service to this country.

My second amendment highlights the importance of our service branches coordinating as closely as possible in the Indo-Pacific in order to meet the challenges of the region.

Finally, my last amendment in en bloc No. 4 would prohibit the Department of Defense's Office of Strategic Capital from investing or facilitating investments in Chinese-owned firms.

Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting my amendments.

Mr. Chairman, I also rise in support of amendment No. 71, submitted by Representative Byron Donalds of Florida. Amendment No. 71 incorporates the text of H.R. 1009, the National Strategy to Utilize Microreactors for Natural Disaster Response Efforts Act.

Microreactors are a game-changing technology. These relatively small nuclear reactors have the potential to provide clean energy in a variety of circumstances. One possibility is to utilize microreactors to replace diesel generators during natural disaster response efforts.

Amendment No. 71 directs the President to develop a national strategy to utilize microreactors to assist with natural disaster response efforts. Replacing diesel generators with clean microreactors during disaster response efforts will be much better for the environment. I hope that by passing this amendment, we will be closer to that goal.

Mr. Chairman, I urge Members to support greater investment in microreactor technology, and I urge adoption of this amendment.

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