On the recordDecember 7, 2021
I thank the gentleman from Alabama for his leadership. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the 2022 NDAA. This process began months ago. A bill was introduced, Members offered amendments, debated accordingly, and reached bicameral consensus. However, as Members arrived in Washington this afternoon, they realized they only had about 8 hours to review and vote on a 2,100-page document to secure our national defense--a surprising and frustrating process that has become all too familiar with House Democrats and the majority. While I will always support our men and women in uniform, I am concerned that not all these men and women, specifically those who serve in the Army as explosive ordnance disposal technicians, as I once did, are adequately equipped to defend our Nation by this year's version of NDAA. I will continue to work hard to achieve this purpose going forward. I am voting in favor of the legislation because of the critical funding it provides for our national defense, pay raises for our servicemen and -women, provisions to hold the Biden administration accountable on its irresponsible withdraw from Afghanistan, and serious steps to assess the involvement of the Chinese Communist Party in the origins of COVID-19 as well as their unacceptable and increasingly aggressive behavior around the world.…
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