Jack Reed: “I rise to discuss the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024. The Armed Services Committee approved…”

“I rise to discuss the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024. The Armed Services Committee approved this bill by a broad bipartisan vote of 24 to 1 last month--the largest margin in years. I appreciated the opportunity to work with Senator Wicker and our colleagues to produce this bill. Senator Wicker has been supportive, cooperative, creative, and has done so with great credit to the committee's traditions, and I thank him for that. I am also obviously tremendously appreciative of the work of the staff, Liz King on the majority and John Keast on the minority. This is a strong defense bill. It is laser-focused on the threats we face. It addresses a broad range of pressing issues, from strategic competition with China and Russia to countering threats from Iran, North Korea, violent extremists, and even climate change. The bill authorizes a record level of investment in key technologies like hypersonics and artificial intelligence and makes real progress toward modernizing our ships, our aircraft, and our combat vehicles. Most importantly, this NDAA provides a historic level of support for our troops and their families, including the largest pay raise in decades. The bill makes meaningful steps forward at a critical time for our national security.…”