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Mrs. BLACK. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
Mr. Chairman, as a cochairman of the Congressional Range and Testing Center Caucus, I rise in support of Congressman Pearce's amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act.
The Major Range and Test Facility Base is made up of 23 installations across the country, including the Arnold Air Force Base based in Tullahoma, Tennessee. The critical testing and evaluation capabilities of the installations are truly a national asset vital to our security. The testing and evaluation performed at these facilities, though often done behind the scenes, helps to ensure that our men and women in uniform have the equipment and the technologies they need to defend our country.
It is vital that we protect these facilities against the various forms of encroachment that can undermine the effectiveness of their operation. My colleague's amendment would ensure that any new use of lands already owned by the Federal Government around these installations be approved by the Department of Defense.
I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this commonsense amendment that strengthens our national security.
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