[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 224 (Friday, January 1, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7995-S7996]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT

  Mr. McCONNELL. Today, by the grace of God, the genius of science, and 
the resilience of the American people, we appear to have a bright 2021 
on the horizon. Our great Nation is poised to defeat this pandemic in 
the months ahead through safe and effective vaccines.
  The pace of the American people's economic recovery has already 
beaten expectations and predictions. Thanks to the ingenuity of our 
citizens and historic relief policies from Congress, overall personal 
income in our country is already higher now than it was prior to the 
pandemic.
  Now, the country needs more support, and the significant remaining 
pain is not--I repeat, not--evenly distributed, far from it. So we just 
enacted another historic $900 billion rescue package to get vaccines 
distributed, to keep small businesses alive, and to get a whole lot 
more targeted support to struggling people who actually need it. From 
multiple kinds of extra Federal unemployment benefits to nutrition 
assistance, rental assistance, direct cash, and beyond.
  This latest, huge, historic package was just signed into law less 
than 1 week ago. It is beginning to take effect right now. Many 
households have already received the latest round of direct cash, or 
will receive it very soon, to help them turn the page into this brand 
new year.
  While this huge new aid package takes effect, a bipartisan, 
commonsense caucus in both Chambers is not keen to let Speaker Pelosi 
and Senator Sanders rush to borrow half a trillion dollars for 
universal cash giveaways, regardless of need. A huge chunk would 
essentially be socialism for rich people--money flowing to

[[Page S7996]]

households earning well into six figures who did not lose any jobs or 
income last year.
  The House Democrats' bill is just simply not the right approach. That 
is what editorial pages across the political spectrum say. That is what 
even liberal economists say. And that is what common sense tells us.
  Here is what the Senate is focused on: completing the annual Defense 
legislation that looks after our brave men and women who volunteer to 
wear the uniform. We passed this legislation 59 years in a row and, one 
way or another, we are going to complete the 60th annual NDAA and pass 
it into law before this Congress concludes on Sunday.
  It is a serious responsibility, but it is also a tremendous 
opportunity to direct our national security priorities to reflect the 
resolve of the American people and the evolving threats to their safety 
at home and abroad. It is our chance to recommit to research and 
development so that our 21st century military is equipped to outmatch 
any adversary. It is our chance to ensure that we keep pace with 
competitors like Russia and China. It is our chance to remind brave 
servicemembers and their families that we have their backs with 
facilities, resources, and support benefiting the finest fighting 
forces in the world.
  Over the past year, our colleagues on the Armed Services Committee 
have made sure the legislation delivers for our troops and for our 
Nation. Now it is time for us to deliver this bill.

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