On the recordJuly 31, 2024
Madam President, I rise today to address something that is not getting done on time, as it deserves to be done on this Senate floor; and that is the fiscal year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act. I am very pleased to see my fellow Senator from the Great State of Mississippi, who is the ranking member on this committee, who has spent numerous hours--and days and weeks--working this bill but also educating Members and Senators as to how important this is. The National Defense Authorization Act--or the NDAA, as we call it-- is an annual display of support for the national security of our country here in the U.S. Congress. In fact, we have passed the NDAA for 63 consecutive years. This bipartisan legislation supports our troops, supports our national security, and strengthens the capabilities of the U.S. military. In a time when we face some of the most dangerous security environments since World War II, the NDAA should be one of our top legislative priorities. But, unfortunately, Leader Schumer just doesn't seem to agree. And with the support of my Democratic colleagues, Leader Schumer has spent much of the summer on messaging votes that are crafted with no true intention of making a law, nominations for Federal entities, which we are going to be doing all day today, and the confirmation of judges that have--some of them--no business serving on the bench. This is not what the American people sent us to do for our country.…





