[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 123 (Tuesday, July 18, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E690-E691]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 12, 2023

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2670) to 
     authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2024 for military 
     activities of the Department of Defense and for military 
     construction, and for defense activities of the Department of 
     Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such 
     fiscal year, and for other purposes:

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Chair, I rise today to speak on the rule for 
H.R. 2670, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal 
Year 2024.
  This is an important measure that for over 60 years, Republicans and 
Democrats have come together to support investments authorized in the 
NDAA that will help address the changing global landscape and prepare 
the country for future challenges and threats.
  I along with my colleagues have offered a number of robust and 
thoughtful amendments in furtherance of a process that has generally 
been bipartisan work on behalf of America's national defense.
  However, I am dismayed that this year, my Republican colleagues in 
the majority have refused meaningful consideration of the majority of 
amendments offered by my Democratic colleagues.
  While I am grateful that one of my amendments was made in order, the 
Jackson Lee Amendment No. 1075 (No. 136 as reported in the Rule) and 
included in the En Bloc package No. 3, it is beyond disappointing and 
disgraceful that my additional 19 amendments were not made in order--
and particularly ones I have offered for many years and have been made 
in order.
  With respect to my amendment that was made in order, I ask for a 
favorable vote on the En Bloc package No. 3 in support of the Jackson 
Lee Amendment No. 1075.
  The Jackson Lee Amendment No. 1075 would require that a report be 
submitted within 220 days of the NDAA's passage detailing our national 
capacity to provide disaster survivors with short term housing.
  In the aftermath of emergencies and national disasters, victims have 
much on their minds.
  Homes, properties, businesses, and livelihoods may have been damaged 
in the disaster, and families, friends, and community members may be 
mentally and physically affected by the disaster, not to mention 
additional challenges as they seek to return to work and school.
  As these communities begin to face the long process of recovery and 
rebuilding, short term housing is one of the first things disaster 
survivors need to get back on their feet.
  Unfortunately, my constituents and I are no stranger to these kinds 
of disasters.
  In 2017, Hurricane Harvey devastated the Houston area, affecting over 
100,000 homes across the city. In the aftermath of the storm, finding 
temporary housing was one of the biggest challenges to recovery for 
many survivors.
  Short-term housing was difficult to coordinate due to the sheer 
number of Houstonians affected.
  As such, it is crucial that Congress have a strong understanding of 
our current capabilities and, specifically, our ability to provide 
these survivors with short term housing before disaster strikes.
  If voted on favorably, this report will not only inform us of our 
current capacity to provide housing but will also better equip Congress 
to respond to disasters and support survivors in the future.
  In addition to this amendment, I offered the below listed amendments.
  Jackson Lee Amendment No. 1010 condemns the actions of Boko Haram and 
directs the Secretary of Defense to submit a report on efforts to 
combat Boko Haram.
  Since 2009, Boko Haram has subjected women and girls to unbearable 
and severe forms of abuse, including sexual slavery, sexual violence, 
forced marriages, forced pregnancies, and forced conversions.
  The United Nation's Human Rights Council report on violations and 
abuses committed by this despicable organization reveals the negative 
impact of such violent acts on the affected communities and 
individuals.
  And this year, in March of 2023, Boko Haram displaced at least 3,000 
people in fighting along Nigerian border towns and villages.
  In April of this year, Boko Haram militants also destroyed hundreds 
of homes in Cameroon.
  Despite regional coordination efforts by the African Union in 
creating Multinational Joint Task Force to fight Boko Haram, this 
violent organization continues to commit gross human rights abuses and 
serious violations of international humanitarian law, resulting in 
ongoing casualties and further destruction of property.
  The Jackson Lee Amendment No. 1010 would have supported efforts by 
the African

[[Page E691]]

Union and other international entities to effectively counter the 
atrocities of this organization.
  The Jackson Lee Amendment No. 1084 directs the Secretary of Defense 
to submit to Congress a report on the actions taken to protect members 
of the Armed Forces of the United States from armed attacks conducted 
by militants and terrorists in pursuit of bounties and inducements by 
the agencies, organizations, or entities aligned with the Russian 
Federation.
  In 2020, there were reports that Russia was placing bounties on 
American soldiers.
  Although these reports have not been confirmed, we must be prepared 
to contend with such threats.
  The lives of our Armed Forces should be valued and protected from our 
Nation's adversaries.
  It is important that we use our resources to ensure the safety and 
well-being of America's service members, as their bravery and valor are 
vital for America's success. It is our duty to ensure that our troops 
can return to their families.
  That is why I introduced an amendment to ensure that a report is made 
detailing the actions taken to protect Armed Forces members from armed 
attacks. Jackson Lee Amendment No. 1084 would have ensured that we take 
a stand against attacks on our military and continue to protect men and 
women serving this country.
  The Jackson Lee Amendment No. 1099 requires the Secretary of Defense 
to report to Congress on the programs and procedures employed to ensure 
students studying abroad through Department of Defense National 
Security Education Programs are trained to recognize, resist, and 
report against recruitment efforts by agents of foreign governments.
  Tens of thousands of American students study abroad each year, with 
hundreds of them going through the Department of Defense's National 
Security Education Programs.
  This past year, the National Security Education Program enrolled 108 
Boren fellows and 210 Boren scholars, in addition to those enrolled in 
the organization's seven other study abroad programs. Protecting these 
students in their time abroad is a priority; hence, the need for the 
Secretary of Defense to ensure students know how to detect foreign 
intelligence and recruitment efforts.
  Generating awareness about risks that study abroad students could 
face overseas will safeguard America from being targeted by foreign 
governments. Security measures offered by my amendment, Jackson Lee 
Amendment No. 1099, would have continued to protect America's future by 
preventing foreign intelligence services from acquiring tools to 
inflict harm on America.
  The Jackson Lee Amendment No. 1108 requires the Secretary of Defense 
to evaluate the threat to national security posed by domestic terrorist 
groups and organizations motivated by a belief system of white 
supremacy.
  Since 2010, white supremacists have carried out at least 17 lethal 
attacks, resulting in no fewer than 77 deaths. White supremacist 
attacks account for more than half of all fatalities from domestic 
terrorism, per the FBI.
  As such, the FBI has deemed that white supremacists ``pose the 
primary threat'' in domestic terrorism. FBI reports have identified 
these racially-motivated extremists as part of a transnational movement 
facilitated by online networks.
  Due to the FBI's assessment of a rising threat of domestic violence 
rooted in white supremacy, it is essential that Congress be thoroughly 
informed on this matter.
  This amendment and the report it commissions will provide valuable 
information and an up-to-date, detailed evaluation of the potential 
domestic violence threat these groups pose moving forward.
  In this way, Congress can better create meaningful policy solutions 
that enshrine national security and safety for all. The Jackson Lee 
Amendment No. 1108 offered an important proactive approach to 
combatting domestic terrorism.

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