Sheila Jackson Lee: “I thank the ranking member and the chairman of the Rules Committee for listening to both my concerns and the amendments…”

“I thank the ranking member and the chairman of the Rules Committee for listening to both my concerns and the amendments that we have offered. We are very pleased to have at least 10 amendments to deal with this important legislation. Mr. Chair, I rise to thank the chair and the ranking member of the Armed Services Committee for the en bloc amendments. I would like to draw particular attention to a few Jackson Lee amendments as the Congress prepares to adjourn for Memorial Day. I want to thank the men and women who serve in the United States military. The Jackson Lee amendment offered in this year's NDAA will provide oversight with information or guidance on efforts at K-12 schools on Federal military facilities to maintain safety and security from active shooters. Just coming from my district and in the neighboring area, the Santa Fe tragedy, of which I attended vigils over the weekend and listening to children talk about being fearful of guns and going to school, has been a very difficult set of circumstances. So the Jackson Lee amendment would, in fact, seek an assessment from the Secretary of Defense of the strategies that may be used to reduce the security threats posed by active shooter incidences at public schools and secondary schools. Today, the DOD operates 60 schools in seven States, 26,000 military connected students, and that is a process where I think the Pentagon and the Defense Department can be very, very helpful. Jackson Lee amendment No.…”