ROGERS SPEAKS ON HOUSE FLOOR IN SUPPORT OF FY22 NDAA

Dec 7, 2021

Press Release

Washington, D.C.- U.S. Representative Mike Rogers (R-AL), Lead Republican of the House Armed Services Committee, delivered the following remarks on the House Floor in support of the FY22 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

Lead Republican Rogers' remarks as prepared for delivery:

I rise in strong support of the FY22 National Defense Authorization Act.

The bill before us is a strong bipartisan, bicameral agreement.

I want to thank Chairman Smith, Chairman Reed, and Ranking Member Inhofe for their tremendous leadership.

Over the last few months, we have seen the best of our soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, and guardians.

They've performed in the toughest of environments, with the greatest level of skill and professionalism.

Many gave their lives so others would have a chance at a better life.

Without a doubt, our military is the greatest force for good the world has ever seen.

Providing the authorities and resources our servicemembers need to defend our nation and defeat our adversaries is the greatest responsibility we have here in Congress.

We accomplish that responsibility with the bill before us today.

It provides an additional $25 billion over the President's request, reversing irresponsible cuts to procurement and readiness.

This bill ensures our warfighters are the best equipped and trained in the world.

It puts our servicemembers first, providing a 2.7 percent pay raise and expanding benefits for families.

It puts American workers first with historic investments in our defense industrial base.

It also begins divesting in legacy systems that will not help us deter future threats.

Instead, it invests in new technologies like AI, hypersonics, and quantum computing that will help us stay ahead of our adversaries.

That's important because Russia and China are rapidly modernizing their militaries.

China is outpacing us with advancements in emerging technologies and weapon systems.

And we know China isn't building these capabilities purely for defense.

In recent years, we've seen China use its military to push out its borders, threaten our allies, and gain footholds on new continents.

This bill is laser focused on preparing our military to prevail in conflict with China.

It makes critical investments in new systems capable of surviving in contested environments.

It includes provisions that will remove China from our defense supply chain.

And it reaffirms our support to allies in the region, especially Taiwan.

In eastern Europe, Russia is on the march again threatening NATO allies and massing an invasion force on the Ukrainian border.

This bill makes historic investments in the European Defense Initiative and provides $300 million in military aide to Ukraine.

Threats from near-peer rivals like China and Russia are not the only ones we face.

Terrorists continue their plots to destroy our way of life.

We must continue to take the fight to them.

Anywhere and any time they threaten us.

With strong investments in new capabilities and readiness, this bill enables our warfighters to do just that.

Finally, I think we were all horrified by the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan.

This bill includes important provisions to provide accountability and ensure we honor the 2,500 Americans who gave their lives in Afghanistan to keep our nation secure.

Again Madame Speaker, this is a carefully crafted bipartisan, bicameral agreement.

I urge all Members to support our servicemembers and their families by voting in favor of this important bill.