Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2025

Floor Speech

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Mr. NUNN of Iowa. Mr. Chair, I thank my colleagues for their work on H.R. 8774.

Mr. Chairman, as a counterintelligence officer who operated against China, I have witnessed firsthand how the Chinese Communist Party can threaten our national security. Therefore, this bill is critical to our Nation's security.

The Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2025, will fight against Communist China by strengthening our military deterrence efforts and investing in the next generation of military technology, innovation, and our workforce.

I thank Chairman Calvert for including my amendment to increase research and development of cutting-edge drone technology. Wireless power transfer for U.S.-made drones allows for providing endurance, long-range capabilities, and dual-use technology to help protect America both at home and abroad. This includes our border security, counter-drug operations, extensive terrain mapping in the case of natural disasters, even air-to-air refueling, and, certainly, extending communications networks in contested environments. Most importantly, they are highly effective, low-cost capabilities with a high-yield impact when it comes to kinetic conflict.

I appreciate the work and leadership of the chairman and the work of the committee, and I urge Members on both sides of the aisle to continue to support our advance in drone technology made domestically, independent of China, for a safer, stronger America.

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