Matt Gaetz: “I thank the chairman and the ranking member for their model of good work and focus on our military. I would speak now to…”

“I thank the chairman and the ranking member for their model of good work and focus on our military. I would speak now to any House conservatives who have apprehension about voting for the NDAA. If you vote against this NDAA or the rule authorizing it, you are voting to continue critical race theory in our military. If you vote against the NDAA, you are voting for the continued embrace of DEI in the military. If you vote against the NDAA, you are voting to keep the chief diversity officer at the Department of Defense, and you are voting to continue some of the strangest radical gender ideology that we have observed, whether it is the trans ambassadors or the drag shows intended for children that have been held on military bases. This NDAA showcases a bold embrace of the technologies the United States will need to hold the high ground, whether that is hypersonics, whether that is AI. This NDAA moves us away from older legacy systems that have been protected by political patronage and instead ensures that we are making the investments to vanquish every foe every time it is absolutely necessary to preserve America's interest. So if you don't want your children and grandchildren one day having to speak Mandarin as some purple-haired, genderless ideologue at the Department of the Defense raises the white flag of surrender, I would suggest voting for this bill. Mr. Chair, I am grateful for all who have made that decision.”