Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026

Floor Speech

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Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Chairman, I thank the leadership of Chairman Rogers and Ranking Member Smith on this important piece of legislation.

I rise today in support of this en bloc package, which contains four of my amendments. The first requires the Secretary of the Air Force and the Director of the Air National Guard to work together to modernize the Air National Guard's fighter fleet.

Last year's NDAA required a similar report, but this report did not fulfill several requirements, like consultation from the Director of the Air National Guard and recapitalization plans for all fighter wings. It was entirely inadequate.

The average age of our fighter fleet has grown from 10 years to 30 years, and 51 percent of the Air Force's service-retained fighting force is in the Air National Guard. We need to act to modernize our fleet.

My second amendment will provide a 2-year funding mechanism for the State Partnership Program. This is a key security cooperation program that enables our National Guard units to train with United States allies and increases the interoperability, compatibility, and overall readiness of the National Guard.

Budget volatility has brought fiscal uncertainty to this program, putting its future in jeopardy. A 2-year funding mechanism will bring much-needed stability to the program.

My third amendment will require the DOD to increase the efficiency of the Funeral Honors Program. The Funeral Honors Program helps the families of fallen veterans give their loved ones the dignified and respectful burial that they have earned. This program relies on local veterans service organizations to provide these funeral honors, and VSOs receive stipends for costs incurred.

Last year, it was brought to my attention that some VSOs had their stipends withheld due to budgetary shortfalls and the National Guard's operational needs taking priority.

My amendment will require the DOD to identify best practices and cost-effective ways to protect the operational needs of our National Guard while ensuring VSOs are supported in their selfless dedication to our Nation's heroes.

My last amendment will require the DOD to address our crippling reliance on Communist China for critical minerals. We currently rely on Communist China for roughly 80 percent of our critical minerals. These minerals are used to produce everything from cell phones to fighter jets.

With the flip of a switch, Communist China could cease all exports of critical minerals to the United States. In fact, they have already started reducing their exports.

Further, we have turned a blind eye to the atrocities committed by our supplier. Communist China owns 13 of the 19 industrial mines in the Congo, and they utilize child slave labor and follow zero environmental laws.

My amendment would require DOD to help develop a strategy to reshore critical mineral production and end our reliance on Communist China.

Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this en bloc package.

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