[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 132 (Monday, July 27, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E684]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               FY 2021 NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT

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                      HON. BRADLEY SCOTT SCHNEIDER

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 27, 2020

  Mr. SCHNEIDER. Madam Speaker, today I rise in support of the Fiscal 
Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
  This year's NDAA provides our nation's service members with the 
resources they need to succeed and upholds the values and protects the 
interests of our nation with important investments in people, equipment 
and infrastructure.
  In addition to paying our troops, getting them the gear they need, 
and ``providing for the common defense,'' this year's NDAA goes above 
and beyond. It makes sure that we are preparing for future pandemics, 
it creates a more inclusive military by establishing a new Chief 
Diversity Officer, and it takes on climate change.
  Two other important areas of investment are supporting veterans 
transitioning to civilian life and fighting domestic terror.
  Importantly, I want to highlight two provisions that I appreciate are 
included in this bill.
  The first is formally codifying the proven Boots to Business training 
program. Now more than ever, Boots to Business is invaluable for 
servicemembers transitioning into civilian life and a struggling 
economy. It's already trained more than 100,000 servicemembers on the 
essentials of entrepreneurship and business management. This Obama-era 
program would be codified into law through this amendment.
  Now turning to my second amendment. For some time now, I have been 
working to enhance the federal government's efforts to combat domestic 
terrorism, specifically through my bill, the Domestic Terrorism 
Prevention Act of 2020.
  Domestic terrorism, and in particular far-right extremism, is a 
growing threat to our nation. Concerningly, and our military is not 
exempt from this problem.
  The military has grappled with extremists, including White 
supremacist and neo-Nazi, infiltration of their ranks for some time.
  We saw both active duty and former service members playing a 
prominent role in the disturbing violence at the White Supremacist 
Charlottesville rally.
  And despite statements from military leaders at the time condemning 
these actions, recent events highlight the need to address this issue 
urgently.
  Recent arrests of individuals with ties to the Boogaloo Movement--an 
extremist organization seeking a second Civil War--include Staff 
Sergeant Steven Carrillo.
  Private First Class Shandon Simpson participated in neo-Nazi forums.
  And Private Ethan Melzer is charged with sharing classified 
information to a neo-Nazi group in order to plan an attack on his own 
unit.
  We cannot let this insidious contamination continue. This year's NDAA 
will include my amendment to strengthen reporting on extremist activity 
in the military. We need to fully understand the problem to effectively 
combat it and root out extremism in the military.
  While I will continue to seek passage of my Domestic Terrorism 
Prevention Act of 2020, I am pleased we are taking steps forward with 
this NDAA with respect to combating extremism in the military and 
ensuring the safety of all Americans.
  I have been working hard on these priorities to take care of our 
service members returning home and to root out extremism and hate. So 
I'm pleased that these initiatives have been included in this essential 
piece of legislation.

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