Defense Bill is Top Item on Senate To-Do List
'Now, the whole Senate will take up their legislation and vote on a plan to deliver on the most pressing needs of our armed forces. Congress has passed defense authorization acts for 57 consecutive years. In doing so, we’ve taken steps to fulfill one of our most fundamental constitutional responsibilities: authorizing the funds that our men and women in uniform require to keep us safe.’
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding the John S. McCain 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA):
“Later this afternoon, the Senate will move to begin considering the John S. McCain 2019 National Defense Authorization Act. Our colleagues on the Armed Services Committee have spent months engaged in thorough work and bipartisan collaboration. Now, the whole Senate will take up their legislation and vote on a plan to deliver on the most pressing needs of our armed forces.
“Congress has passed defense authorization acts for 57 consecutive years. In doing so, we’ve taken steps to fulfill one of our most fundamental constitutional responsibilities: authorizing the funds that our men and women in uniform require to keep us safe.
“This year’s NDAA arrives as our nation faces significant challenges. Challenges like an emboldened Iranian regime, and its continued support of destabilizing forces in the Middle East. Challenges like a new era of great power competition, as Russia and China expand their capabilities.
“But, building on a time-honored process, this year’s defense authorization will help our nation rise to meet these challenges with cutting-edge tools, top-notch training, and revitalized readiness. It’s one of our most important jobs here in Congress. The 2019 defense authorization is the top item on our to-do list. And we’ll tackle it this week.
“Meanwhile, other important work is underway at the committee level. Chairman Shelby and our colleagues on the Appropriations Committee are laying the foundation for a productive summer. Last week, they reported out appropriations bills to fund the Departments of Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Veterans Affairs, as well as important military construction projects.
“This week, they’ll proceed to finalize measures for Interior & Environment; Commerce, Justice, & Science; and the Legislative Branch. I look forward to taking up these appropriations bills here on the floor.”
Related Issues: Appropriations, America's Military, NDAA
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