[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 115 (Wednesday, July 13, 2022)]
[House]
[Page H5981]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   NATIONAL DEFENSE IN THE CARIBBEAN

  (Ms. PLASKETT asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. PLASKETT. Madam Speaker, I rise to speak on my amendment to the 
National Defense Authorization Act that directs the Department of 
Defense, in conjunction with the Department of State and the Department 
of Homeland Security, to assess the standing U.S. military force 
posture in the Caribbean Basin and the value, feasibility, and cost of 
increasing U.S. military capacity in the region.
  The Caribbean region has long been a place of geopolitical exertion 
of power by foreign forces. Presently, China has planted flags in 
numerous Caribbean nations through investment and infrastructure. The 
United States is vulnerable from a national security posture.
  This amendment is bipartisan, with support from our colleague 
representing the island of Puerto Rico, Congresswoman Gonzalez-Colon. 
This amendment is warranted, given the importance of the U.S. national 
security apparatus to capably fight transnational crime and protect 
U.S. national and regional security in the region. Too often, the 
Caribbean is ignored, and this amendment ensures that our Third Border 
is not forgotten as it confronts increasing regional political 
instability, hostile foreign engagement, and transnational criminal 
activity.

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