National Defense Authorization Bill
Floor Speech
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Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, our servicemembers voluntarily put their lives on the line to protect us, and, in return, we must keep our commitments to them. Today we will begin debate on the National Defense Authorization Act, the bill that allows Congress to authorize resources, capabilities, and the pay and benefits our men and women need to perform their missions.
For more than five decades, Congress has acted every year to fulfill this responsibility by passing the Defense authorization bill. We will have our opportunity to do so again this week. This legislation, which was reported out of committee unanimously, will signal support for our servicemembers with more of the capabilities they need to be successful against an array of threats all across the globe.
After years of failed defense policy under the previous administration, this year's NDAA will make significant and necessary strides toward keeping America safer. It will do so by authorizing the beginning steps to rebuild our military, to invest in modernization, and to restore readiness; by reforming the Pentagon and reducing waste; by restoring missile defense and responding to cyber threats; and by reviving troop morale with a pay increase they deserve and continued reform of the benefits that they and their families rely on.
I think it is fair to say that no Senator understands the importance of this legislation quite like Senator
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McCain, the chairman of the Armed Services Committee. His commitment to our Nation's heroes is unfailing, which is why, amidst his own battles, Chairman McCain has returned to the Senate to manage this bill and see it through passage. We are all proud to have him with us now.
As we begin considering this bipartisan defense authorization, Members from both sides will have opportunities to work with Senator McCain and to offer amendments. Ultimately, we will keep working to find consensus so that we can pass this critical defense legislation without further delay.
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