July 12, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 117 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Pages H5732-H5733]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  0915
                           CONCERN ABOUT NDAA

  (Mr. SPANO asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)

[[Page H5733]]

  

  Mr. SPANO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express grave concern with 
the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020.
  Every year, Congress is tasked with funding our military. These funds 
do everything from feeding our troops to equipping them for combat, to 
giving them and their families medical care.
  Because this funding is of such vital importance for our troops and 
our national security, these bills normally pass through Congress with 
wide bipartisan support.
  However, despite the President, senior military officials, and a 
bipartisan Senate all agreeing on a funding level, House leadership has 
proposed a bill $15 billion less than what experts say is required.
  This bill represents one of the worst political games I have seen in 
this House. It puts our servicemembers at risk and leaves our entire 
Nation vulnerable by underfunding personnel accounts, vital 
modernization initiatives, and deterrence against foreign aggression.
  I call upon this House to follow us in this lead to set aside our 
differences and authorize these programs at the levels needed to 
protect our troops and our Nation.

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