[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 119 (Friday, July 14, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E997]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          SUPPORT OF FY18 NDAA

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                          HON. TERRI A. SEWELL

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 14, 2017

  Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of H.R. 
2810, the FY 2018 National Defense Authorization Act. As a Member of 
Congress, one of my most sacred duties is to help promote and ensure 
the safety and security of our nation. We are truly grateful and 
indebted to the brave men and women who have sacrificed their lives to 
protect our freedom and democracy. This legislation takes great strides 
towards ensuring that our military is equipped with the most advanced, 
state of the art technology and military capabilities to defend and 
protect our nation from ongoing and emerging threats across the world. 
The FY 2018 NDAA bill authorizes $630 billion for base budget 
requirements as well as $64.6 billion for Overseas Contingency 
Operations. Additionally, this legislation contains several provisions 
that would equip, supply, and train our troops; provide resources for 
them and their families; and set national security policy for threats 
at home and abroad. I am particularly pleased to see that this bill 
prioritizes the readiness of U.S. Cyber Command, cyber mission forces, 
and cyber warfare tools and capabilities, including initiatives to 
strengthen the cyber workforce and strengthens congressional oversight 
of these capabilities.
  While I am supportive of the funding allocated to these critically 
important defense programs, I continue to have strong concerns about 
Congress' inability to make difficult funding decisions as it relates 
to our national security priorities. The hard reality is that the 
overall top line discretionary budget authority in this bill will 
likely prove to be fiscally unworkable at the end of the legislative 
and budget process. Ultimately, I am deeply concerned that many of 
these initiatives will potentially be funded at the expense of vital 
domestic spending programs. While robust funding of our national 
security is paramount, it is equally as important that we continue to 
provide essential funding for domestic programs that help educate our 
children, ensure every American has access to quality and affordable 
healthcare, and repair our deteriorating infrastructure. We cannot have 
a safe and secure country if our people lack the resources necessary to 
be financially and socially secure. Funding for vitally important 
programs that help millions of Americans across the country prosper 
should not be an either or proposition.
  I urge my colleagues to support the National Defense Authorization 
Act for Fiscal Year 2018

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