Wildlife Innovation and Longevity Driver Reauthorization Act

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Ms. HOULAHAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Rogers and Ranking Member Smith both for their leadership and clear vision for our committee, which has guided our national security and collective defense.

This Congress, I had the privilege of serving as the ranking member our military Quality of Life Panel alongside my dear friend and Republican colleague, Representative Don Bacon of Nebraska.

The bill before us today, including more than 20 provisions from that Quality of Life Panel, is truly a testament to what this body can accomplish when we come together and when we do hard work together.

From inadequate pay and substandard housing conditions to food insecurity and long wait times for essential services, our panel's findings make it clear that we still have a lot of work to do to ensure that our military families survive and thrive.

I am very pleased that the fiscal year NDAA includes a 14.5 percent pay raise for most junior enlisted and a 4.5 percent pay raise for all servicemembers. This increase is critical for us to retain our all- volunteer enlisted forces and maximize the investments we have made in them.

It also includes key healthcare provisions, like no-cost contraception and my bill, the MOMS Who Serve Act, which is the largest investment in maternal health in the DOD's history.

It requires the DOD to fully fund overdue maintenance for housing and fee assistance for childcare so that no family is turned away. It ensures that our spouses have the support they need to ensure pathways to employment and transfer licenses for careers when they move.

This is the most consequential and important piece of legislation of the entire 118th Congress. With this bill in law, our Nation will be more secure and our servicemen and -women more resolved to face the global challenges of tomorrow.

I would be remiss if I closed without noting my severe disappointment in those colleagues who chose to sully this bill with political culture wars that will impact the healthcare of minors. This is not what we were tasked to do, and I urge us to remain focused and of service.

Young America, the next generation of our all-volunteer force, and their families are watching, and our national security depends on it.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source