Providing for Consideration of H.R. Liberty in Laundry Act; Providing for Consideration of S. Judicial Understaffing Delays Getting Emergencies Solved Act of and Providing for Consideration of Senate Amendment to H.R. Wildlife Innovation and Longevity Driver Reauthorization Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. McCORMICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the rule providing for consideration of H.R. 7673, S. 4199, and H.R. 5009, the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025.

I am confident that this year's NDAA will have a lasting, positive impact on our national security, and I urge my colleagues to support the rule providing for its consideration.

The fiscal year 2025 NDAA authorizes targeted, responsible investments in critical technologies and future capabilities while restoring our military's focus on lethality.

I served with sailors, marines, and Army folks from all walks of life during my time on Active Duty. We all bled red and were all green at heart, and we were all united in our mission to protect the United States.

Putting our differences under the microscope only divides us and distracts us from our mission, so I am pleased that the NDAA gets things like DEI and critical race theory out of the military's divisive issues.

I am also glad that it reauthorizes language I put in last year's NDAA to improve the Defense Department's transparency on how it works with entities that discriminate against conservative voices by steering advertisement dollars away from them.

I was also proud to champion specific provisions in this bill that will help us deter and, if necessary, defeat our allies in the future fight. Things like using drones to clear land mines, changing how we do aircraft maintenance by using AI to bring down costs and improve readiness results, and making it easier for the Marine Corps to procure critical capabilities like LPDs and CH-53K helicopters will all help us maintain our edge over our adversaries using these techniques.

Perhaps most importantly, the NDAA will drastically improve our servicemembers' quality of life, especially for the junior enlisted. The least we can do for our fellow Americans who take up the mantle of service is to make sure they have good housing, quality medical care, and the tools and resources to raise a family in the military if they so choose.

This NDAA deters our adversaries, supports our allies, and exercises Congress' lawful oversight mandate to cut down on waste and improve the way our military does business within the private sector.

Mr. Speaker, I express my sincerest thanks to Chairman Rogers, Ranking Member Smith, my fellow committee members, and all the staff for their work on this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to have helped with this bill, and I urge swift passage for the rule and swift passage of the fiscal year 2025 NDAA.

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I would inquire of the gentlewoman if she has any additional speakers.

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Mr. Speaker, indeed, I do have additional speakers.

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Balint).

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