[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 127 (Monday, July 20, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4255-S4256]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                   National Defense Authorization Act

  Madam President, on another matter, before the Senate begins 
consideration of the next coronavirus response package, we will finish 
our work on the National Defense Authorization Act. If we are able to 
get this bill to the President's desk, which I hope we will, it will 
mark the 60th consecutive year in which Congress has passed bipartisan 
legislation to fund and support our Nation's military.
  Each year, this is how we maintain our military bases, modernize our 
equipment, and invest in the next generation of weaponry. It is how we 
strengthen our relationships with old allies and forge new partnerships 
with new ones. It is how we take stock of the global threat landscape 
and ensure our troops have the training, equipment, and resources to 
counter even our most aggressive adversaries.
  In recent years, China and Russia have emerged as two of the greatest 
threats to the world order. China, in particular, has been increasingly 
belligerent and well resourced and continues to demonstrate a lack of 
respect not only for the United States and our closest allies but for 
basic human rights.
  A few weeks ago, China moved quickly and under a veil of secrecy to 
pass a law taking aim at the freedoms and autonomy of Hong Kong. What 
they are calling a national security law is nothing more than an effort 
to extinguish opposition to the Chinese Communist Party in Hong Kong. 
They are using this law to silence protesters and prescribe harsh 
penalties for those who have the temerity to speak out against the 
Communist Party. While devastating, this is certainly not surprising, 
given China's repeated human rights violations.
  The Chinese Communist Party continues its disturbing ethnic cleansing 
campaign against the Uighur people. The so-called political reeducation 
camps are nothing more than detention camps where the Uighurs are 
tortured. Recent reporting found that the treatment in these camps 
often includes forced abortions, birth control, and sterilizations. I 
have spoken and will continue to speak out against the methods and 
motivations of the Chinese Government, operating through the Communist 
Party, to disrupt the world order.
  China does not stand alone as one of the great threats facing our 
country today. Russia has become increasingly aggressive with its 
efforts to wreak chaos and sow discord. Since their attempts to 
interfere with the 2016 election, we have witnessed aggression after 
aggression by Russia. From Russia-backed mercenaries fighting in the 
Middle East to state-launched cyber attacks targeting banks and energy 
firms, to its hybrid warfare and assassination campaigns in Europe, 
Russia continues to undermine the United States and our allies.
  Just last week, we learned that Russian hackers have attempted to 
steal coronavirus vaccine research. It is becoming increasingly clear 
that China and Russia adhere to no rules and no principles but their 
own. As the national defense strategy outlined, the threats posed by 
China and Russia are only growing more important by the day, and 
countering these threats requires a clear and concerted effort from 
Congress and the U.S. Government.
  That is precisely why passing a strong Defense authorization bill is 
so important. This legislation prioritizes strategic competition with 
China and Russia and takes a strong approach to counter the threats 
posed by adversaries around the world. It will build on the progress we 
have made in recent years to strengthen our military and achieve peace 
through strength.
  As we work to counter increasingly sophisticated adversaries around 
the world, I am glad Congress has taken the opportunity to deliver on 
one of our most critical responsibilities and pass the NDAA, which we 
will this week.
  I thank Chairman Inhofe and Ranking Member Reed for working to get 
this bill passed with broad bipartisan support, and the provisions will 
prepare our military for the threats both of today and of tomorrow.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mrs. BLACKBURN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
order for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

[[Page S4256]]