Majority Leader Schumer Floor Remarks On Today’s Vote On The National Defense Authorization Act And On Build Back Better And Voting Rights Legislation

Washington, D.C. –  Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) today spoke on the Senate floor regarding today’s vote to pass the National Defense Authorization Act. Senator Schumer also spoke on the Build Back Better Act and voting rights legislation. Below are Senator Schumer’s remarks, which can also be viewed here:

For the past six decades, Congress has worked on a bipartisan basis to pass an annual defense bill without fail. After today, this year will be no different.

Later this morning, the Senate will hold a vote to pass NDAA legislation for FY 2022 that has been negotiated on a bipartisan, bicameral basis. After it is approved by this chamber, the bill will go to the president’s desk for his signature.

With so many priorities to balance, I thank my colleagues for working hard over these last few months—both in committee and off the floor—to get NDAA done. I want to particularly recognize my colleague Chairman Reed for his work shepherding this important process through.

This week Democrats also continue working on getting the Senate into a position where we can vote on the President’s Build Back Better legislation.

We are also continuing to hold conversations, as Senate Democrats, on the urgent work of advancing the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.

There is a universal view in our caucus that we need to pass legislation to protect our democracy.

What the Republican Legislatures are doing—on a purely partisan basis—is undermining, destroying our democracy.

We believe that we can restore the Senate to work the way it’s supposed to, and at the same time deal with voting rights, and that is what we are aiming to do. 

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