On the recordJune 30, 2020
I am always pleased to be on the floor with my good friend from Oklahoma, Mr. Lankford, but I am particularly glad I was able to be here today. Early, in his remarks, he was talking about a family, remembering that family in prayer, and then very thoughtfully going around the world of where people are, at this minute, who defend us. It is a good thing for us to think about; it is a good thing for us to keep in mind; and it is good that when we say we are remembering people in our prayers, to be sure they really understand that we are. I am glad to be with my neighbor here today and also with Senator Hoeven on the floor. This will be the 60th time in a row, if we do our job, that we pass the National Defense Authorization Act. I don't think there is any other bill--in fact, I am sure there is no other bill--we pass every year. When we pass this bill every year, we reestablish, every year, that defense is our No. 1 priority. Defending the country is the one thing that almost everybody admits they can't do for themselves. The States don't think they could do this without us. This is a national responsibility, and the threats we see today are complex. They are more pronounced than any our Nation has ever faced. Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dunford, recently said that our military has to be ready to fight across regions, to fight across domains, and across functions.…
