Ken Calvert: “I just want to make a point. The Republicans on the Appropriations Committee want to increase our defense spending. We…”

“I just want to make a point. The Republicans on the Appropriations Committee want to increase our defense spending. We don't want to cut defense spending. Both the Republicans and the Democrats on the authorizing committee don't want to cut the defense spending. And both the Republicans and Democrats in the United States Senate don't want to cut defense spending. We have a national defense strategy that was laid down by General Mattis, which I think we should follow, which asked for a net increase of a minimum of 3 to 5 percent net of inflation. That is just to maintain some credible deterrent against China and a resurgent Russia. Until we get to those numbers, we will continue to be operating on a continuing resolution. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, if the Republicans wanted to do something about our defense and our security in the military, they would move to work with us to pass the defense appropriations bill and the omnibus. Madam Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz), the chair of the Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans' Affairs.”