National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020

Floor Speech

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Mr. DesJARLAIS. Mr. Chairman, I thank the ranking member for yielding.

Mr. Chair, I rise to express my concern and frustration with this bill in its current form. While I appreciate the work done on this NDAA, the legislation simply doesn't provide our military men and women with the resources needed to adequately protect the homeland and could negatively impact facilities in and around the Fourth District of Tennessee, including Arnold Air Force Base, Redstone Arsenal, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and the Y-12 National Security Complex.

Whether it be refusing to deploy the W76-2 tactical nuclear weapon to deter Russian aggression or underprioritizing funding for research and development of next-generation capabilities, such as hypersonic weapons and directed energy, this NDAA does not adequately meet the requirements for addressing challenges posed from our adversaries.

Finally, this NDAA highlights my colleagues' continuing disregard for the national emergency occurring at our southern border. This bill prevents the DOD from playing a role in addressing the crisis. Our military's number one responsibility is to protect the homeland. If my Democratic colleagues refuse to provide funding for DHS to secure the border, then the military must have a role.

Mr. Chairman, this bill, from its funding top line to its policy, does not support our military or our security appropriately. For that reason, I cannot support this bill, and I urge my colleagues to vote ``no.''

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