[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 94 (Thursday, June 7, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S3269]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  NOMINATION OF KENNETH MARCUS AND THE NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION 
                                  BILL

  Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, today the Senate will consider the 
nomination of Kenneth Marcus to serve as the Department of Education's 
Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights. His resume includes degrees from 
Williams College and the California Berkeley School of Law, and his 
career has spanned private practice and public service, with 
considerable experience in government. I look forward to voting to 
confirm Mr. Marcus later today.
  Then, the Senate will resume consideration of the John S. McCain 2019 
National Defense Authorization Act. It is the result of serious 
bipartisan work over the past several months.
  Our colleagues on the Armed Services Committee have engaged in candid 
discussions with our Nation's top military leaders. They have heard 
about the pressing needs of the men and women who serve in harm's way: 
greater readiness, enhanced weapons capabilities in the air and on the 
seas, simpler processes for acquisition, and more support for military 
families.
  This week we have already discussed the array of global challenges 
that face our Nation at this critical moment. This NDAA will help to 
equip our troops with the latest training and the best technology to 
confront those challenges and to keep us safe.
  It is also important to reflect on all that this legislation will do 
for our warfighters and their families here at home. It will increase 
base pay for servicemembers by 2.6 percent, the largest annual raise in 
nearly a decade. It authorizes new resources for family housing 
construction, improved care for servicemembers' children with severe 
disabilities, and programs to better manage opioid prescriptions in the 
military health system.
  It will authorize continued operations at military posts across our 
country that build up our Nation's security and form the backbone of 
local communities.
  The servicemembers who serve at Kentucky's Army installations and in 
the Kentucky Air and Army National Guard are critical to our overall 
national defense strategy. I am proud to represent them here in the 
Senate.
  Fort Campbell is home to the 101st Airborne Division and a number of 
Special Operations units. In recent years, many of these servicemembers 
have seen a near-constant cycle of deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan.
  The NDAA ensures that they are not forgotten. Fort Knox hosts the 
Army's Human Resources Command and Recruiting Command, where the NDAA 
will help to modernize officer personnel management, and this year's 
legislation paves the way for new construction projects at both these 
facilities.
  In Madison County, the Blue Grass Army Depot is responsible for 
storing and demilitarizing conventional and legacy chemical weapons. It 
is a top-of-the-line facility, integral to our national security. 
Passing this NDAA will help to ensure that it can continue safe and 
effective operations.
  It is my privilege to represent the men and women of the Kentucky Air 
and Army National Guard, including the 123rd Airlift Wing. This 
legislation will reaffirm our commitment to these citizen soldiers and 
airmen who are always ready to respond to emergencies at home or 
threats from abroad.
  Kentucky is indeed proud of our men and women in uniform. When I vote 
for this Defense bill, I will be casting my vote for them.

                          ____________________