On the recordMay 17, 2016
Mr. Chair, I am proud of the bipartisan work of the House Committee on Armed Services on the FY17 National Defense Authorization Act. This legislation takes important steps to strengthen our defense capabilities, and it gives our Armed Forces the resources they need to keep us safe. Importantly, this bill works to stop the funding gaps that are harming our military's readiness, and it includes a much- deserved pay raise for our troops. This bill contains an important initiative to ensure our land forces will not be depleted as well as including some of my own initiatives-- the creation of a DOD social media cell to counter radical online recruitment and maintain the edge in a 21st century battlefield. It also includes the development of joint directed energy capabilities between the United States and Israel. I am proud to support this legislation, which passed in committee by a bipartisan vote of 60-2, and I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this vital bill on the floor. The CHAIR. The gentleman from Washington has 10 minutes remaining, and the gentleman from Texas has 4 minutes remaining.
