Keeping America Safe

The House is set to pass the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the annual defense bill which bolsters our national defense and ensures our military readiness on the world stage. As the United States faces threats from adversaries like China, North Korea, Iran, and Russia, we must make smart investments in defense to support America’s position as the most secure nation in the world. Here are a few of the important provisions in this year’s package:

Strengthens Military Readiness

The NDAA focuses on countering the potential threats to our country. First, the bill prevents reductions to the number of U.S. special forces and increases funding for military exercises. It also prohibits reducing the number of Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles below 400. On top of that, the bill improves our response to cyber-attacks that harm national security.

China is one of our strongest adversaries and it is important that the US is not dependent on Chinese manufacturing for our national defense needs. The bill prioritizes a U.S.-focused supply chain. This is especially important for critical minerals and metals used for defense technologies. The bill also prohibits the Department of Defense contracting with any Chinese Communist Party owned company.

Helps Secure Our Borders

Border security is national security. The bill provides the Department of Defense with support to help secure our border. Specifically, the legislation targets fentanyl trafficking. Additionally, the NDAA fully funds the deployment of the National Guard to support Border Patrol.

Next Steps

The House will vote on this legislation tomorrow. Then it will move to the Senate for a vote before heading to the President's desk to be signed into law.

Click here to read the full bill.

This Week in the Financial Services Committee

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is a government agency responsible for consumer protection in the financial sector. Unfortunately, the CFPB has a bad track record on transparency, accountability, and protecting Americans' private data.

Yesterday, I questioned CFPB Director Rohit Chopra on his latest proposal to collect data on millions of American families with auto loans. Director Chopra's latest data collection effort puts personal data at risk and could stretch the CFPB's authority beyond the boundaries set by Congress.

Click here to watch the full hearing.

Do you know a Health Care Worker Who Goes Beyond the Call of Duty?

Wisconsin's First Congressional District's Health Care Worker of the Year Award will recognize an unsung hero in Wisconsin's First Congressional District who has gone above and beyond to help our community and their patients.

The recipient of the Health Care Worker of the Year Award will be selected based on the following criteria:

• Displays exemplary service and performance in their profession
• Upholds the standard of providing unsurpassed care and treatment for their patients
• Goes above and beyond the call of duty in performing their responsibilities
• Displays self-sacrifice and selflessness in caring for others

The nominee must reside Wisconsin's First Congressional District (nominee may work at a facility outside of the First District) and be a licensed health care professional (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, etc.)

Click here to submit a nomination or for more information. If you have questions, please contact my office at 608-752-4050.

On Wisconsin,

Bryan Steil
Member of Congress

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