National Security
Democrats are committed to enhancing our national security and advancing key American interests, while supporting human rights and democratic values at home and abroad.
In the 117th Congress, Democrats passed a bipartisan defense authorization bill that strengthened our national security, ensured our military personnel have the resources they need to defend our country, and bolstered our allies and international interests. In the 118th Congress, Democrats will build on these gains by continuing to help President Biden keep Americans safe.
We will continue to work with the Administration to provide our diplomats and our troops with the tools needed to carry out their missions abroad safely and effectively. This will include continuing to work with our allies to ensure Russia’s illegal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine ends in defeat for Putin, that America maintains its competitiveness against China’s authoritarian challenges, and that the world is free from threats posed by Iran.
I am pleased that the House has passed the National Defense Authorization Act for 2015, critical legislation to support our military that the Congress has never failed to enact before the end of the year.
Thank you very much, Leader Pelosi, and let me join you in congratulating [Rep.] Maxine Waters on her leadership [as] the Ranking Member on the Financial Services Committee and all the Members of the Financial Services Committee, the [Ranking Member] of our Small Business Committee [Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez], all of whom have worked so very hard on this issue and understand the consequences of inaction.
I welcome the unified efforts of the P5+1 to reach a final agreement with Iran on the dismantling of its nuclear weapons program.
I join in thanking Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel for his service to our nation. Under his watch, our military has continued to tackle threats to our national security and to the security of our allies while adjusting to new budget realities and becoming a nimbler force.
With only fourteen legislative days remaining before the House is scheduled to adjourn, there are a number of pressing issues that need to be addressed.
Last night, President Obama acted on his declaration that America will work with our regional partners to degrade and destroy ISIL.
I was proud to join my House and Senate colleagues this morning in welcoming Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko to the United States Congress.
I thank the Gentleman [Ranking Member Adam Smith] for yielding. I thank the Gentleman for his leadership. I thank [Chairman Buck] McKeon for his leadership. We will see today a bipartisan action, a bipartisan action on behalf of America, on behalf of its security, and on behalf of our international partners in confronting terrorism.
Thirteen years ago, our nation was shaken by an attack that took the lives of 2,977 people and brought heartbreak to families and communities across the country and the world.
Tonight, President Obama laid out a clear and comprehensive counterterrorism strategy to degrade and destroy the terrorist group ISIL, which has murdered two American journalists along with thousands of innocent Iraqis and Syrians.