Joaquin Castro: “I will spare you that. Madam Speaker, I voice my support for H.R. 3180, the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal…”

“I will spare you that. Madam Speaker, I voice my support for H.R. 3180, the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018. The men and women of America's intelligence community, the best in the world, protect our country every day. They serve beyond the front lines of conflict to collect and analyze intelligence on our adversaries. In addition to being highly effective, America's intelligence community adapts as the threats our country faces shift on a daily basis. Their effectiveness is amplified when they are in close cooperation and coordination with policymakers. I want to thank my fellow members on the committee, especially Ranking Member Schiff and Chairman Nunes, for working with me to add language into this bill requiring the intelligence community to brief Congress on our intelligence capabilities in the South China Sea. Over $5 trillion in ship-borne commerce flows through the region each year, including the vast majority of sea-borne energy imports by close U.S. partners such as Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. The security of the United States and those of these partners is closely linked to the ability of the United States to guarantee the freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. Our ongoing territorial disputes in the South China Sea threaten the principles of a rules-based order and the security of the United States and our allies.…”