Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. ARRINGTON. Mr. Chairman, I thank my good friend from the great State of Texas, ``the judge,'' as we call him back in the freest and greatest State in the Union, for his leadership.

In the last week, the world witnessed the might of America's unparalleled air superiority and what a critical role our strategic bombers and the men and women who pilot and maintain them play in keeping our enemies, like Iran, in check.

For nearly 40 years, the B-1 has been the tip of the spear of America's air superiority. The B-1 has served us well, but at a time when our adversaries like China are making their own historic investments in their own military, it is time we roll out America's next generation warfighter.

That is why I rise in strong support of this amendment that would direct a little over $4 million to enhance gate security at military installations set to receive the B-21 Raider, including Dyess Air Force Base in the key city of Abilene, Texas.

The B-21 Raider represents the most capable and lethal bomber this world and this planet has ever known and seen. It is the future of our long-range strike capability, designed to evade modern air defenses and deliver both nuclear and conventional payloads across the globe.

Dyess, the base in Abilene, Texas, will soon become a key platform for deploying this cutting-edge aircraft. We have a responsibility to ensure that this investment in national defense is protected accordingly.

Let's be clear: This is not a theoretical threat. In 2023 alone, U.S. officials reported over 100 incidents of Chinese nationals attempting to unlawfully access Department of Defense facilities.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. ARRINGTON. Mr. Chair, in May of this year, two foreign nationals, here illegally under President Biden's open-border crisis, attempted to breach the Marine Corps base in Quantico in a box truck. These are not isolated incidents, Mr. Chair. They are part of a disturbing trend that put our installations, our technology, and, most importantly, our servicemembers at risk.

This amendment is straightforward. It funds the necessary upgrades to the gate infrastructure at bases like Dyess to comply with the Department of Defense force protection standards. Reinforcing access control preventing unauthorized entry is common sense. As I said, it is straightforward, and it will help both our servicemembers, our air arsenal, and our overall national security posture.

Mr. Chair, I thank the judge for his leadership, and I urge adoption of this amendment.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source