Florida Rep. Michael Waltz (R) issued a statement through a press release this week in support of the Fiscal Year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act. It includes a number of his priorities, which includes addressing the “economic threat of China as well as safeguarding America from growing threats around the world and providing for our veterans and Gold Star families.”
Waltz cited his experience as a veteran in knowing and understanding “firsthand how important a well-equipped, well-prepared military force to protect our great country” is necessary.
“Right now, our country faces numerous threats from adversaries like the Chinese Communist Party, Russia, and Iran, who continue to undermine and threaten democracies, as well as emboldened terrorist organizations like al Qaeda and ISIS-K, which will now find a safe haven in Afghanistan,” he explained.
The comments come after President Joe Biden (D) called for a “diplomatic boycott” of the Beijing Winter Olympics over human rights offenses, and the President also engaged in a lengthy conversation with President Vladimir Putin amidst rising tension between Russia and the United States.
“This year’s defense bill will help us ensure America can face these challenges and any others while protecting our strategic interests at home and abroad – all thanks to the incredible bravery and incredible skill of the men and women of our armed services,” he added, mentioning that “this bill will improve the quality of live [sic] for our warfighters and their families.”
In short, the GOP lawmaker championed the defense bill, saying that he hopes its passing “is worthy of the men and women in uniform that depend on it to keep America safe.”
The Defense Authorization Act includes Waltz’s language to:
- Prohibit purchase of goods from Chinese Communist Party (CCP) forced labor camps in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region
- Prevent CCP and Russian access to American missile defense sites
- Require notification to Congress if the Chinese ICBM stockpile buildup exceeds that of the United States
- Phase out the use of CCP printed circuit boards in systems and equipment acquired by the Defense Department
- Ensurethat critical mineral research and development investments consider national security implications
- Prioritizecritical materials from domestic and allied sources for the National Defense Stockpile
- Prohibit the Defense Department from providing any financial support to the Taliban
- Produce clearly defined plans to conduct counterterrorism operations and respond to terrorist threats emanating from Afghanistan
- Secure, archive and standardize operational data and intelligence gathered over the past two decades in Afghanistan
- Ensure careful review of National Guard Force apportionment to discern if wartime and/or domestic requirements should dictate its force structure
