Floor SpeechBipartisan2025-03-26

AMERICA MUST NOT BE IDLE WHILE ADVERSARIES ADVANCE CAPABILITIES

EconomyTaxesEnvironmentForeign PolicyChinaTradeLabor

Context

On 2025-03-26, Representative Keith Self (R-TX-3) delivered a floor speech titled "AMERICA MUST NOT BE IDLE WHILE ADVERSARIES ADVANCE CAPABILITIES" in the House. The speech addressed the economy and also covered taxes, the environment.

Full Text

AMERICA MUST NOT BE IDLE WHILE ADVERSARIES ADVANCE CAPABILITIES

Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 55 (Wednesday, March 26, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 55 (Wednesday, March 26, 2025)] [House] [Page H1277] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] AMERICA MUST NOT BE IDLE WHILE ADVERSARIES ADVANCE CAPABILITIES (Mr. Self of Texas was recognized to address the House for 5 minutes.) Mr. SELF. Mr. Speaker, America and our European Union allies find ourselves at an inflection point. We have an amazing opportunity, and the actions we take today will shape the outcome for generations to come. The world is significantly more dangerous because of the Biden administration projecting American weakness to the world. Under the previous administration, America turned away from policies that had our adversaries quaking in their boots and instead bent a knee to the axis of evil. Make no mistake, China, Russia, and Iran are exerting influence across the globe that is causing harm and posing major threats to both the United States and our allies. It is vitally important that the United States and our European Union allies work together to find solutions that both combat these adversities and ensure that we stay ahead of them in the process. All three are trying to impose their will physically, psychologically, and diplomatically on Europe, and we must be fully prepared for whatever approach they take. As the chairman of the Europe Subcommittee of the Foreign Affairs Committee, I will continue to lead both reauthorization of the State Department and regional efforts under the leadership of Chairman Mast. A significant part of our focus is achieving the policies that put America's interests first while building our relations with allies abroad against our common adversaries. We have taken major steps in the right direction under President Trump and his administration, but there is still more work to be done. Our NATO partners must step up to the plate and give 5 percent of their GDP for the protection of Europe as America shifts its focus to the Indo-Pacific region. The CCP has made significant advances in warfare, and we must remain vigilant while also building up our defense industrial base in order to be prepared for any scenario. America must not remain idle while our adversaries are advancing their capabilities. The Europe Subcommittee will do our part. ____________________

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AMERICA MUST NOT BE IDLE WHILE ADVERSARIES ADVANCE CAPABILITIES Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 55 (Wednesday, March 26, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 55 (Wednesday, March 26, 2025)] [House] [Page H1277] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] AMERICA MUST NOT BE IDLE WHILE ADVERSARIES ADVANCE CAPABILITIES (Mr. Self of Texas was recognized to address the House for 5 minutes.) Mr. SELF. Mr. Speaker, America and our European Union allies find ourselves at an inflection point. We have an amazing opportunity, and the actions we take today will shape the outcome for generations to come. The world is significantly more dangerous because of the Biden administration projecting American weakness to the world. Under the previous administration, America turned away from policies that had our adversaries quaking in their boots and instead bent a knee to the axis of evil. Make no mistake, China, Russia, and Iran are exerting influence across the globe that is causing harm and posing major threats to both the United States and our allies. It is vitally important that the United States and our European Union allies work together to find solutions that both combat these adversities and ensure that we stay ahead of them in the process. All three are trying to impose their will physically, psychologically, and diplomatically on Europe, and we must be fully prepared for whatever approach they take. As the chairman of the Europe Subcommittee of the Foreign Affairs Committee, I will continue to lead both reauthorization of the State Department and regional efforts under the leadership of Chairman Mast. A significant part of our focus is achieving the policies that put America's interests first while building our relations with allies abroad against our common adversaries. We have taken major steps in the right direction under President Trump and his administration, but there is still more work to be done. Our NATO partners must step up to the plate and give 5 percent of their GDP for the protection of Europe as America shifts its focus to the Indo-Pacific region. The CCP has made significant advances in warfare, and we must remain vigilant while also building up our defense industrial base in order to be prepared for any scenario. America must not remain idle while our adversaries are advancing their capabilities. The Europe Subcommittee will do our part. ____________________