On the recordJuly 20, 2020
This amendment is a deeply irresponsible stunt that would have great implications for our national security. It would return us to days even worse than the days of sequester, a time in which Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis said: No foe in the field has done more damage to the U.S. Armed Forces than the United States Congress has because of arbitrary across-the-board cuts. We would, with this amendment, undermine near-term lethality and the readiness of our troops on air, on land, and at sea. We are asking our men and women to go into harm's way to defend all of us, and we must always do that ensuring that they have the absolute best equipment and resources necessary. This amendment is a stunt, Mr. Speaker. It would be dangerous. We have to ensure that the United States of America maintains a military force that is second to none. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to defeat this irresponsible and reckless amendment.
