[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 114 (Tuesday, July 14, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Page S3913]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, as the Senate and House are currently 
working on the fiscal year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act, it 
is important--very important--that Congress pass this bill. We need a 
very strong and capable military, and we need to hold the Pentagon 
accountable for taxpayer dollars.
  For 240 years, the No. 1 responsibility of the Federal Government has 
been national security. A nonnegotiable tenet of America's national 
security is ``peace through strength.'' In preventing war, a strong 
Department of War is also an instrument of peace.
  So, to achieve peace through strength, we must invest in our Nation's 
defense and modernize military capabilities to be best prepared for any 
threat. Our military ought to be strong enough to deter any aggressor. 
We have learned from our history that preventing conflicts is less 
costly and spares more lives.
  I support the $1.1 trillion authorization put forth by our Senate 
Armed Services Committee. The fiscal year 2027 Defense bill supports 
our servicemembers, boosts our national industrial defense base and 
allows for historic investment in our national security.
  This legislation also includes important provisions that I back to 
hold defense contractors accountable. This includes a requirement that 
contractors provide notification when the price of a product or service 
increases beyond a predetermined threshold.
  While our investments in defense increase, ensuring accountability 
and fiscal responsibility is very paramount. Companies that work for 
the government should not be ripping the taxpayers off.
  I am also pleased that a provision I worked on is included in the 
bill that reinforces the notion that Russia's aggression toward Ukraine 
is unacceptable. This provision prohibits funds being used to recognize 
Russia's control over any Ukrainian territory that has been forcibly 
seized by Russia.
  I have offered several amendments to this Defense bill to combat 
crime and support law enforcement, strengthen security provisions and 
cooperation in the Baltics, and condemn very strongly Russia's 
abduction of Ukrainian children, which has been in the amounts of tens 
of thousands of children.
  If the Defense bill is passed this year, it will be the 66th 
consecutive year that Congress has passed this important annual Defense 
legislation. So I look forward to working with my colleagues in the 
Senate to pass a Defense bill that strengthens our national security 
and best supports our military readiness.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant executive clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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