Rashida Tlaib: “First, I thank Chairman Smith as well as Chair McGovern and their staff and team for working with me on this critically…”

“First, I thank Chairman Smith as well as Chair McGovern and their staff and team for working with me on this critically important amendment and for their leadership, really, throughout this NDAA process. I also thank Congresswoman Jacobs for cosponsoring this amendment with us in support of, again, this really important policy change. With Russia's war in Ukraine, and serious tensions along NATO's eastern border and in the South China Sea, today's world is being redefined, Mr. Speaker, by escalating tensions between major nuclear powers. We don't have to look back far in history to see that there is danger here. The Cold War was full of near misses and numerous crises that could have gotten out of control and ended in nuclear war. We are now entering a period of dangerous nuclear competition. As such, we must remember one of the key lessons the Cold War taught us: That when it comes to nuclear, we must preserve the ability to promptly step back and clearly signal de-escalation when necessary. Unfortunately, the current draft of the NDAA includes a provision that prohibits our country from doing just that. Specifically, this dangerous provision makes it impossible for our country to reduce the stockpile of ICBMs for any reason, with no exceptions. The policy was created, Mr. Speaker, and implemented by lawmakers in promotion of companies who profit in the production of these weapons, not in the best interests of our national security priorities.…”