U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, spoke today on the Senate floor about the importance of passing the National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2020 as quickly as possible. Sen. Inhofe also highlighted the bipartisan process through which the bill was drafted.

As Prepared for Delivery:

Yesterday, we got down to work on amendments for the annual defense authorization legislation. We filed a substitute amendment that included 93 bipartisan amendments. Today, we’ll continue our work on this must-pass bill.

Now, I’ve heard a couple of my colleagues say that Republicans are blocking consideration of an amendment on Iran from Senator Udall, and that’s holding up the billl. Members of both parties are raising objections to not just this one single amendment, but all amendment. We’re following a process that allows all Senators to have their say—and that’s a good thing—but it means anyone can hold this bill up.

But you know what’s not a good reason to hold this bill up? Debates for a presidential election that’s not for another 18 months.

I was disappointed yesterday to hear that my colleague from New York, the minority leader, said that we should delay votes on the NDAA so that seven Democrat Senators can participate in a primary debate.

Whether it’s seven or just one Democrat Senator who wants to participate, my answer would be the same—we need to get this bill done now to protect the nation. 

I say without apology, national security preempts politics. This is the tradition of the Armed Services Committee. It is our tradition for a reason. 

I’ll repeat: Senator Schumer said we should delay votes on the most important bill we’ll do all year—a bill that has a quickly approaching deadline, that has wide bipartisan support—for political purposes.

He said, and I quote, “there is no rush to complete the NDAA.” He said, there will be “no harmful consequences to our military.” I disagree.

We must enact the NDAA by September 30 – the start of the new fiscal year. So we don’t have time to spare.

If we don’t pass this NDAA on time, we will delay needed reforms to privatized housing and prolong the suffering of our service members and their families.

If we don’t pass this NDAA on time, we’ll delay $11.2 billion in military construction projects in 44 states—and handicap mission-critical infrastructure for combatant commands protecting Americans and U.S. interests across the globe.

If we don’t pass this NDAA on time, we’ll delay disaster relief for military installations still recovering after devastating natural disasters, including in Florida, Nebraska, and North Carolina.

If we don’t pass this NDAA on time, we’ll lose authorities for ongoing security cooperation in Afghanistan and Iraq, reducing pressure on terrorist threats, encouraging our enemies and undermining our partners.

If we don’t pass this NDAA on time, we’ll be slowing enactment of the Fentanyl Sanctions Act, which Senator Schumer says is critical to curbing the flow of these deadly drugs across our borders.

If we don’t pass this NDAA on time, we’ll let the EPA continue "kicking the can down the road on the PFAS crisis," as Senator Schumer described it, and providing Americans safe drinking water.

If we don’t pass this NDAA on time, we undermine our ability to give our troops and military leaders the full amount of funding needed to maintain, and where necessary, recover our military superiority.

We’ve got a lot to do before September 30, and only a limited number of legislative days to do it. We’ve got to pass the NDAA. We’ve also got to get a budget deal. And we’ve got to bring Appropriations bills to the floor.

These are all vital to getting our troops the resources they need—on time and with predictability. This is the simple request that our military leaders have made. In fact, they said it’s the best thing we can do for our national security.

Our responsibility to provide for the common defense is so important, it’s in the opening lines of the Constitution. Now, I know a lot of people don’t read that old document anymore, but I think it’s pretty important.

I would hope that my colleagues agree—especially those on the campaign trail.

A candidate for the highest office in the country, who truly understands the importance of defending this nation and our ideals, should understand the need to pass this bill on time.

We’ve got to pass this bill, and we’ve got to pass it as soon as possible.

I want to again commend the Ranking Member of the Armed Services Committee, Senator Reed, for his unwavering commitment to our men and women in uniform.

He understands that this is one of the most important things we’ll do all year, and he continues to work in a bipartisan manner to ensure we get this passed.

As a result, we have a really good bill that all Senators should be proud to support. That’s why this bill passed out of committee on such a strong bipartisan vote—25-2. And that’s why it will pass off the Senate floor on a bipartisan basis as well.

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