Disinterment of Remains of Fernando V. Cota From Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, Texas

Floor Speech

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Ms. ELFRETH. Mr. Speaker, I will start by thanking Chairman Rogers and Ranking Member Smith for their leadership.

I came to Congress wanting to join the Armed Services Committee in particular because it is one of the few committees that still works together to collaborate and legislate.

We don't always agree on every position, as reflected in this year's bill and even in this floor debate, but the final product before us represents the bipartisan nature in which the committee is run, and the wins within the NDAA are proof.

It represents the work that my friend on the other side of the aisle, Representative Schmidt, and I collaboratively put into improving availability and accessibility for healthcare for veterans in DOD facilities, including the world-renowned Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in my State of Maryland.

The bill also means that the United States Naval Academy and all military academies will be better equipped to brace for the impacts of extreme weather and sea level rise. I worked on that with Representative Wittman.

The bill delivers a well-deserved pay increase for our servicemembers and ensures DOD cannot arbitrarily RIF its employees.

This bill includes crucial support for our allies like Ukraine and provides critical checks on this administration's power.

I spent most of this year, including yesterday, visiting every military installation in Maryland, meeting with and listening to servicemembers of all ranks. It helped inform my priorities, and today, I am proud to stand before this Chamber requesting that my colleagues support this bill.

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