On the recordMay 22, 2014
It is with great concern for the safety of over 200 kidnapped Nigerian girls that I urge my colleagues to vote for the National Defense Authorization Act. This bill includes an en bloc amendment I offered requiring the Department of Defense, in consultation with the Department of State, to report on the efforts to assist in the search and rescue of the young women who were abducted in Nigeria last month. There is more that our government can do to address the threat that Boko Haram poses to international security. By Congress knowing more about this terrorist group, their movements, the safety of the girls, and what the U.S. and Nigerian Governments can do to protect these girls and others like them, we will be in a better position to end Boko Haram's reign of terror. Families weep in Nigeria. The global community holds vigil for these children. I thank the chairman for including my amendment in the en bloc package and urge my colleagues to vote to help ``bring back our girls.'' In regard to Memorial Day, I want to thank those who gave up their tomorrow, so we could have today. ____________________
