[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 98 (Wednesday, June 13, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S3902]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BILL

  Mrs. ERNST. Mr. President, the 2019 National Defense Authorization 
Act on the floor today is a bipartisan bill that is focused on ensuring 
our warfighters are prepared to operate across the full spectrum of 
conflict and to support the objectives laid out in the 2018 national 
defense strategy.
  I am disappointed that we were not able to come together and work 
through a robust, bipartisan amendment process this year on the floor. 
We had a great markup, and I am thankful that my colleagues across the 
aisle were so willing to work together in a bipartisan manner on this 
piece of legislation.
  As the chair of the Emerging Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee, I 
worked hard with my ranking member, Senator Heinrich of New Mexico, to 
ensure the NDAA invests additional funding in innovative technologies 
so that we can maintain U.S. technological superiority over near-peer 
adversaries, particularly in the areas of hypersonics, unmanned 
systems, directed energy, and artificial intelligence.
  The NDAA provides much needed funding to our Special Operations 
forces, which are playing a key role in combating terrorist networks 
and countering growing aggression by adversaries like Russia, China, 
and Iran. It also fully funds SOCOM's request for the Preservation of 
the Force and Families Initiative and expands key authorities to 
provide enhanced support to the families of our special operators.
  By supporting a total of $716 billion for our Nation's defense, the 
NDAA provides the flexibility that is needed for our military to make 
targeted investments for the future. It also addresses issues that 
deeply impact our servicemembers.
  I especially thank Senator Warren, of Massachusetts, for her work 
with me in addressing research and treatment options for traumatic 
brain injuries. This is an issue that is especially important to me as 
a veteran, for I have known and worked with individuals who have 
experienced blasts and rollovers in military vehicles, and we know the 
implications that come from those who suffer from traumatic brain 
injury.
  I urge my colleagues to support the NDAA. This bill is absolutely 
vital to restoring the health of our military and supporting our 
national security objectives. Again, I urge my colleagues to support 
this bill. It is vital we complete our NDAA.

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