Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026
Floor Speech
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. FONG. Madam Chair, I rise today in support of my amendments 390, 737, and 745, which would deliver vital resources to the military installations of California's 20th Congressional District, their personnel, and surrounding communities.
These critical provisions would ensure our servicemembers and their civilian counterparts have the resources they need for success. Specifically, my amendments will improve healthcare access for Navy personnel at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, strengthen the readiness of the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, and the Air Force Test Center, including Edwards Air Force Base.
At China Lake, the local community hospital, which serves both the Ridgecrest community and base personnel, is facing significant challenges. My first amendment would direct the Department of Defense to assess the healthcare resources available to our Navy personnel at the base and provide recommendations to improve them.
My second amendment focuses on strengthening the largest component of China Lake, the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division. It would direct the Secretary of the Navy to review the challenges NAWCWD is facing and report back to Congress on how they are working to address them.
My third amendment supports Edwards Air Force Base by extending an existing provision for several more years, helping to further strengthen the base's vital mission. With new technology like the B-21, our Nation's newest bomber, it is critical Edwards Air Force Base has the tools to test these modern technologies so they can be utilized by our warfighters.
I am proud of the incredible men and women, both civilian and military, who provide our military with the best technology to keep our Nation safe.
I urge my colleagues to support these amendments which would ensure China Lake and Edwards Air Force Base have the resources they need to continue their critical work of research, development, testing, and evaluation of our latest military technology.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Source