Conference Report on H.R. National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019

Floor Speech

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Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to support the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act.

Appropriately named after an American hero, the conference report contains policy and funding initiatives that provide our military with the resources necessary to restore readiness and rebuild combat capability. Chairman Mac Thornberry has been very successful, with leadership, to expedite this critical legislation in record time.

As Readiness Subcommittee chairman, I appreciate that the conference report authorizes additional funding for training, spare parts, equipment, and weapons systems maintenance.

The conference report also focuses on aviation readiness by increasing flying hours, funding for spare parts, and establishing a commission to examine the tragic rise in military aviation accidents.

Both the House and Senate bills address Navy surface forces improvements in response to last year's collisions and tragic loss of 17 lives on the Fitzgerald and McCain. I appreciate the conference report because it contains a range of provisions that improves the operation of surface fleets.

The conference report provides critical funding for Fort Jackson and continues construction of the mixed oxide fuel fabrication facility at the Savannah River site to protect the environment in South Carolina and Georgia.

It also supports our strongest ally in the Middle East, Israel, by establishing defense partnerships to counter Iran's terrorist activities.

In conclusion, I want to thank Chairman Thornberry again for his success with his dedicated, professional staff. I also appreciate the Readiness Subcommittee's distinguished ranking member, Madeleine Bordallo of Guam, for her contributions to this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge all of my colleagues to support the bill.

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