Jim Banks: “It is a great honor of my time in Congress to serve on the House Armed Services Committee with Chairman Thornberry, and…”

“It is a great honor of my time in Congress to serve on the House Armed Services Committee with Chairman Thornberry, and I am grateful for his leadership. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the fiscal year 2018 National Defense Authorization Act conference report. As the most recently deployed veteran serving in Congress, I have seen the national security challenges facing our country, firsthand. While these challenges are not easily solved, this legislation represents a significant step forward. Whether it is giving our troops a well-deserved raise, significantly increasing end strength numbers for each of the services, allowing for the continued transfer of excess defense articles to allies abroad who are in need, or funding our vital missile defense programs, this legislation begins the long process of rebuilding and reforming our military so we are ready for whatever comes next. Mr. Speaker, my gratitude goes out to those serving both here at home and abroad, and I urge my colleagues to support this important bipartisan legislation.”