George Holding: “Let me begin by thanking both Chairman Thornberry and Chairman Royce for their assistance in helping to craft this…”

“Let me begin by thanking both Chairman Thornberry and Chairman Royce for their assistance in helping to craft this amendment, and also let me thank Ranking Member Engel and Dr. Bera, who joined Chairman Royce as original cosponsors. Mr. Chairman, this amendment truly is a testament to the broad, bipartisan support for the U.S.-India relationship here in Congress. Our agreement is straightforward. It seeks to promote greater defense trade and encourage additional military cooperation between the United States and India. I believe that by requiring our government to take actions such as strengthening the Defense Technology and Trade Initiative and encouraging combined military planning with India, we can make certain that the U.S.-India defense relationship endures. Mr. Chairman, given the dynamic nature of the Indo-Pacific region and its importance to our own national security and future economic growth, now is the time to build on recent successes and propel the U.S.-India strategic partnership forward.”