Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Tuesday, U.S. Congressman Mike Waltz (FL-6) issued the following statement in support of the passage of the Fiscal Year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act, which includes several of his priorities, including addressing the growing military and economic threat of China as well as safeguarding America from growing threats around the world and providing for our veterans and Gold Star families:

“As a Green Beret and combat veteran, I know firsthand how important a well-equipped, well-prepared military force to protect our great country,” said Rep. Waltz. “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. 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. Additionally, this bill will improve the quality of live for our warfighters and their families.”

The bill included 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
• Ensure that critical mineral research and development investments consider national security implications
• Prioritize critical 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

“Each year, this bill provides our military with necessary resources to face the challenges ahead,” said Rep. Waltz. “I am proud to support this year’s defense bill and I hope it is worthy of the men and women in uniform that depend on it to keep America safe.”