National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024

Floor Speech

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Mr. DONALDS. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

It is not often that the NDAA includes various provisions on advanced nuclear, however, these times are changing.

The U.S. military is interested in advanced nuclear reactors to provide clean, baseload power for energy operations, hence why I offered an amendment that expresses support for Project Pele, a DOD program to develop and deploy a portable nuclear microreactor, which will ultimately bolster American national security.

Additionally, one of my amendments calls for the development of a strategy to deploy microreactors for natural disaster response. Representing Florida's 19th District, which was hit by Hurricane Ian, we do know the devastation that can occur when you need to access power quickly. These microreactors can help areas do that.

Moreover, one of my amendments addresses the potential for the U.S. Space Force to utilize nuclear-powered space vehicles, and another evaluates American national security risks associated with Chinese and Russian interest in space.

Congress must recognize the importance of the U.S. military's interest in this innovative technology, and I urge my colleagues to support these six amendments.

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