[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 120 (Thursday, July 13, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S2445]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                   National Defense Authorization Act

  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, yesterday, I moved to proceed to the 
National Defense Authorization Act. We will have our first vote on 
Tuesday.
  This bill was reported out of the Armed Services Committee on a huge, 
25-to-1 bipartisan vote. We are encouraging filing amendments for the 
managers' package before the close of business today.
  Senator McConnell, the committees, and I will have our teams working 
over the weekend to see what we can include in the package of 
amendments. Undoubtedly, hundreds of amendments will be filed to this 
important piece of legislation. I am hopeful that all committee chairs 
and committee members will work together in good faith.
  Obviously, both sides will want to have amendment votes. Just like we 
have in recent efforts, I am willing to ensure we consider and vote a 
reasonable number of amendments. No Senator wants a dilatory process. I 
know Senators Reed and Wicker, who have done such a fine job putting 
together a bipartisan bill, will work with Senator McConnell and me, 
and we will develop a list of amendment votes and hopefully can proceed 
from there.
  There are important issues that I believe we must address while we 
are on the floor. We must consider a Chinese Government competition 
package. We must consider the Australia, United Kingdom, and United 
States submarine deal. I know there will be more to do here next week, 
and I look forward to the debate on the floor.