Coupleted in committee a weeks ago and had over 650 amendments submitted to the official mark of the chairman and the subcommittee marks. We process to those amendments and adopted 475 amendments in. Ommittee i want to thank our staff for the incredible amount of work to work with members and various interested parties to get us to that product. I am very pleased we were able to get that done and pass the bill out of the Armed Services committee unanimously 560 with broad support. I want to thank the Ranking Member of the committee for his incredible leadership during this process. Partnereen a terrific as the chairman of the committee and as the Ranking Member. As heill be his last ndaa is retiring from congress. I want to thank him for his great work and leadership. I want to emphasize a point i have made many times, the Armed ServicesCommittee Works in a bipartisan way and produces a legislative product in a manner i think should be an example for all of congress. That does not happen by accident, it happens because of leadership. When he became the chairman and i was Ranking Member he showed leadership from the start. He understood the priority of getting the bill done and working in a bipartisan way to do that. Because of that leadership and example has been set and we work to continue to accomplish that. I want to thank the committee. That is not an the rules committee, that is not an easy job in the best of times. 750 amendments were submitted to be added. The rules committee had to process all of those amendments to produce the rule we just approved today. I think their staff for doing that incredible work and i want to pause one moment to thank the staff for the work they did in light of covid19. We know things cannot be run the way they normally are, we have to make adjustments and the staff in particular had to make those adjustments just getting the Committee Hearing room set up so we could accommodate a socially distant our cup, it took an enormous amount of time and technological knowhow and the staff did a great job to get us to this point. I am saying it is no accident we are here, a lot of work got us to this moment to have an excellent product. We cannot forget the central premise behind this product, to support our National Security policy and make sure the men and women who serve in our military, who we assigned with the task of implementing that policy have the tools, training, and equipment they need to perform whatever tasks we ask them to do. We can and should have a robust debate on what those jobs should be and what our National Security priorities are. Something we should never disagree on is the idea that whatever that is that we decide, the troops, the men and women in charge of implementing it, are well equipped, protected, and supported in carrying out that mission. Bill has agreement from the last year budget on 740 billion, that was a good agreement we reached on the defense and nondefense discretionary budget. I think this is one of the greatest challenges we will face. We had a difficult budget environment before covid19 and it is even more difficult now. We are going to have to make some very difficult choices in the decade ahead about what to fund. Not just to meet National Security priorities but to meet all of our priorities within the budget context. I want to thank the secretary of defense for his leadership in that regard. The pentagon has gone through Great Lengths to take a hard look at where they are spending money and finding savings, sometimes in the tens of billions of dollars. That effort will be ongoing Going Forward if we are to have a rational National Security policy. I want to commend members in our committee who have worked to focus on diversity in this year possibility. In this years bill. The reckoning we have in this country for the historic racism and bigotry we have wrestled with is a normal important and we address that. This is societywide but within the department of defense there are issues as well. Of 17ed to the tune million aggressive efforts to increase the relationship between the department of defense and historical black colleges and universities to create and grow the pipeline of diversity into the department of defense with jobs for civilians and activeduty. Chair ofreated a diversity within dod whose job it is to make sure that we are in fact hiring and promoting people in a way that is equitable. We have also set aside a special Inspector General to examine that question and thanks to the leadership of congressman Anthony Brown and jackie spear among others we are looking at how you cmj is implemented. Is it being implemented in a way that is fair and unbiased . These are efforts to create the diversity we need within our armed verses and our society. Overall i am very pleased with this product, more than anything i am pleased with the people who worked together to put it together. , not are a lot of opinions just democrat and republican, but within each party. Even within our own parties we were able to Work Together and produce what i think is an excellent product that we should be proud to support. I reserve the balance of my time. From texas, mr. Thornberry is recognized. I yield myself three minutes. Want to say first i like all of my colleagues i mourn the passing of john lewis. As someone said this weekend, he lived a consequential life and i would add one that we all admired. On the bill before us, i am grateful for the kind words of chairman smith as well as for the generous amendment he offered in committee related to and the of this bill very generous response of all members on both sides of the aisle. Thisl confess that all of naming business makes me uncomfortable, because this bill is not about any of us, it is about the men and women who serve our nation and their families and american National Security. As the chairman points out that is the focus of this bill for 59 straight years. With his leadership and the leadership of senator reid and senator inhofe i think it will be number 60. I do not agree with everything in the bill, but on balance it is a good bill and in some particulars it is a very good bill. Highlight the family resiliency and readiness provisions, thanks the good work from mr. Kelly and misspeak her miss spear. I want to highlight the good work of mr. Gallagher who chaired one of the committees we set up. A number of provisions in this bill strengthen relationships with partners and allies and among others who work on this, mr. Cheney, mr. Turner, there are a lot of very good there is a lot of very good substance in this bill. I want to credit the leadership of the chairman. Not only for assembling a bill of good substance, but for passing it by a vote of 56 to nothing and doing so in a very challenging time. In applauding the staff, not just the substance but the logistics that was required to bring this bill to us. Cannot help but note that whenever there is a crisis in this country we turn to the military. We have seen that several times within the past few months. The thrust of this bill is to say, we are going to turn to the military in times of crisis and we need to support them with the best training, equipment, support of all kinds that we can provide. They are there for us and we need to be there for them. That is the thrust of this bill as it has been in the past. Certainly deserves Member Support as we move forward. I reserve the balance of the time. The gentleman from texas reserves. The gentleman from washington. To yield 3. 5ed minutes to the gentleman from rhode island. The gentleman from rhode island is recognized. For think the gentleman yielding, thank you, mr. Chairman. Support of hrng 63 95, the National Defense authorization act for fiscal year 2021. I want to congratulate chairman smith and Ranking Member thornberry for the strong bipartisan bill that was passed by the committee 560. I am pleased with the provisions in the emerging threat portions of the bill. This reflects key National Security interests and critical oversight areas including intelligence, cyber, science and technology, and special Operations Forces. I want to thank the Ranking Member for her bipartisan cooperation, and the other members of the subcommittee for their extraordinary input. Strong collaboration is what sets this committee apart as we maintain a 60 year tradition of passing a Defense Authorization bill to provide for members of the military and our National Security. Chairmbers and the vice exemplify this spirit. Staff, like to thank the without their input and work this would not be possible. Shannon, josh, jessica, beth, eric, jason, caroline, and my military legislative assistant caroline and allison were instrumental in its development and my director, nick. To the National Defense strategy and i am particularly proud that it incorporates recommendations from two commissions comprising some of our nations most forward thinking defense experts. The committee on Artificial Intelligence will lay the foundation for the countrys workforce, ethics, and security requirements as Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence tools become more relevant. The commission i have the pleasure to serve on, congressman gallagher who cochairs, as provided a provision of cyber deterrence and this includes over 20 recommendations to implement it. This bill enriches the department of defense, science, and Technology Ecosystem. 600 millionr dollars in science and Technology Funding to confront rising science powers. Million, fixing a devastating cut in the president possible budget and we had over 1 million in the pandemic preparedness and resilience National Security fund. This bill diversifies the departments workforce and emphasizes collaboration with historically black colleges and universities and minority institutions. It will protect foreign students at our great universities from being deported. It ensures that special Operations Forces remain the most talented, professional, and agile force ready for highend missions. Bill funds the procurement priority of the columbia class submarine and two virginia class boats. I know what amazing capabilities these submarines provide because they are built in my district in rhode island by the hardworking men and women there. Mr. Chairman, this bill demonstrates our commitment to National Security while increasing oversight and reducing redundant the to ensure to ensure redundancy our tax dollars are spent effectively. I yield back the balance of my time. The gentleman from texas. Threem pleased to yield minutes to mr. Turner. The gentleman from ohio is recognized. I want to join Ranking Member thornberry in noting the passing of john lewis. Heroism and eloquence will be sorely missed. Chairman thank our adam smith, our chairman reached out to the other side and wanted to do a bipartisan bill. That sounds easy but within this environment it is not. It is highly substantive, takes negotiation, and more work than a partisan bill does. He achieved that with a unanimous vote coming out of committee. That takes compromise but this bill does not compromise at all for National Security. To recognize the Ranking Member who is retiring, i appreciate his leadership and i am glad that this bill bears his name. Authorizesauthor the administrations full request of the administration. These funds are critical to ensure our weapons enterprise remains a safe, secure, and effective. We put off this investment for too long. Dayforces are at work every , and they stand and silent as a silent testament to deter adversaries and support add lies and support allies. The world would be less safe. Ground base deterrence of the minuteman 3. The bill also provides progress for space force and provides stability for the National Security space launch program. And makes investments in Missile Defense by funding two of the Missile Defense agents highest priorities, including the 10 sm 3 block 2a. The ndaa will provide support to the people that defend our country. Our troops are receiving a 3 pay raise for the second year in a row. This bill expands the rights of men and women in uniform and their families residing in military housing, it provides more oversight over the private companies responsible for maintaining the health and safety of these homes. This bill also provides remarkable strides in military justice over the justice. This bill also provides protection for Sexual Assault victims. They are getting more rights on appeal, greater access to court records, and adigal protection for retaliatory punishment. I want to thank congressman brown for his work on advancing diversity and equality in our Service Member ranks. I was proud to work with congressman brown to advance concrete steps to promote diversity. This years ndaa creates the position of chief diversity officer for d. O. D. And establishes a diversity and inclusion advisory council, and creates more Scholarship Opportunities in historically black colleges. The ndaa enhances our National Security and improves the lives of our Service Members. I urge all my colleagues to support it. Any cuts in funding to this bill would severely weaken our nation at a time when we are facing some of our clearest threats. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The gentleman from washington. Mr. Smith thank you, mr. Speaker. Im pleased to yield two minutes to the gentleman from tennessee, chairman of the Strategic Forces subcommittee, mr. Keerp. The speaker pro tempore gentleman from tennessee is recognized. Mr. Cooper thank you, mr. Speaker. Im proud today to speak on behalf of the Strategic Forces portion of the Mac ThornberryNational Defense authorization act for fiscal year 2021. I would like to thank Ranking Member thornberry for his outstanding 25 years of service in this congress. Id also like to extend my thanks to Ranking Member turn earn all our subcommittee members for their contributions to the bill. Our subcommittee has particularly heavy, often technical responsibilities. This bill does make america stronger and safer by improving the odds for peace and stability with regard to our Nuclear Forces. Hyper sonic weapons, and space and Missile Defense. Preventing a Nuclear Attack is the first responsibility of u. S. Government. Its absolutely imperative to ensure our Nuclear Forces are safe, security, and reliable. Secure and reliable. And we strengthen our nonproliferation efforts. This mark ensures the departments of defense and energy with wisely spending their budgets in a responsible and efficient man. Regarding space we continue our focus on protecting our space assets. The bill also focuses on near term priorities for hyper sonic weapons in a way that avoids increasing the risks of ambiguity and miscalculation. We continue oversight in Missile Defense including supporting u. S. Israeli cooperation. In addition after the failure of the redesigned program the bill strengthens oversight of the next generation intercept program. Before i close i would like to thank our outstanding staff, leo nora, jason, maria, grant, and zach. Thank you, mr. Speaker. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The gentleman from washington reserves. The gentleman from texas is recognized. Mr. Thornberry im pleased to yield three minutes to the distinguished Ranking Member of the subcommittee on readiness, mr. Lamborn. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from colorado is recognized. Mr. Lamborn i thank the Ranking Member for yielding. Today i rise in strong support h. R. 6395, the william m. Mac thornberry National Defense authorization act for fiscal year 2021. It was said the art of war teaches us to rely not on the likelihood of the enemys not coming but our own readiness to receive him. Not on his chance of not attacking but the fact that we have made or position unassailable. As reported out of committee this ndaa funds essential military readiness to support the National Defense strategy. The legislation does a number of things t makes significant investments in operations and maintenance and military construction. Invests in essential capabilities to retain military overmatch. Including cyber, space, hyper sonics, groundbased strategy deterrent, and Artificial Intelligence. Begins to recapitalize our surge sealift fleet. Addresses