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NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022
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HON. BRADLEY SCOTT SCHNEIDER
of illinois
in the house of representatives
Monday, September 27, 2021
Mr. SCHNEIDER. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022, including my three amendments included in this legislation.
The FY 22 NDAA authorizes critically important funding and programs for our Armed Forces who put their lives on the line to protect our nation and our people. The legislation ensures our servicemembers and their families have the resources they need and deserve to continue serving our country.
As a parent to two adult sons, nothing is more important to me than my children being safe and healthy. I had the pleasure of watching them grow up and become the men they are today.
I think we can all agree that a parent's worst nightmare is losing a child. Any parent that has to bury to their child deserves the time and dignity to cope with that grief--a hole in the heart that doesn't heal, but around which one must build anew and move forward however possible.
I hope that someday time to fully mourn a child is available for everyone in America, but at least my amendment to the FY 22 NDAA would guarantee paid bereavement leave for federal employees. This is an important step forward and I hope that we can show even more compassion in the future.
My second amendment would codify the Boots to Business program into law.
Boots to Business is an established, successful training program that has helped servicemembers transitioning into civilian life to start their own businesses. It has already trained more than 100,000 servicemembers on the essential skills of entrepreneurship and this amendment would ensure that many more can benefit from it.
My final amendment would have the Department of Defense create a U.S.-Israel Operations-Technology Working Group. This working group will enable further sharing of information vital to combating current and future threats and enhance our mutual security and the security of the Middle East as a whole.
I appreciate the inclusion of my three amendments in the FY 22 NDAA and support its passage.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 168
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