[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 93 (Wednesday, June 6, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3003-S3004]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                  National Defense Authorization Bill

  Mr. President, soon the Senate will take up the John S. McCain 2019 
National Defense Authorization Act. It is the result of months of 
serious bipartisan work by the Armed Services Committee, and it is a 
major step toward delivering the resources our men and women in uniform 
need to tackle the challenges of today--challenges like an emboldened 
Iran, the destabilizing force it abets in the Middle East; challenges 
like the expanding capabilities of Russia and China in this era of 
renewed great power competition.

  This moment requires that we support our All-Volunteer Armed Forces 
with the tools, training, equipment, and resources they need to support 
our allies, to defend the homeland, and secure the peace. Secretary 
Mattis's new national defense strategy spells out what our Nation must 
do.
  Our landmark budget agreement this year set aside the funds to put 
that plan into action, and now, with this NDAA, Congress will take the 
next step toward getting those resources where they need to be. Its 
authorizations include quality-of-life improvements for servicemembers 
and their families, land, sea, and air weapons systems, and reforms to 
the acquisitions process to keep America's military on the cutting 
edge.
  With bipartisan action on the NDAA, the Senate will ensure that the 
next generation of American warfighters is every bit as ready as the 
``greatest generation'' to write a new chapter of courageous service.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Ms. WARREN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

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