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U.S. Representative Jim Banks (R-IN), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Cyber, Innovative Technologies, and Information Systems, delivered the following opening statement at the subcommittee markup for H.R. 4350 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022. The Subcommittee's mark is available here.

Rep. Banks' remarks as prepared for delivery:

Thank you Chairman Langevin. I appreciate your leadership and that of my predecessor, Ranking Member Stefanik for both of your work on this bill.

Future conflicts will be defined by cyber and emerging technologies. However, the United States will forfeit our advantage if we fail to acknowledge this fact and act now.

We also must invest in securing our networks, weapons and other assets will leave us vulnerable. To maintain our superiority in this time of great power competition, we must back up our words with actions.

I believe the mark this subcommittee is putting forward today is a positive step – accelerating innovation and improving our security posture.

Innovation can be found across our country, not only traditional innovation centers which is why I authorize the expansion of DIU to work in regions where it doesn't currently operate.

Many pioneering companies, as well as the warfighters who want these technologies, are frustrated by the "valley of death" they encounter within the Department. The problem must be clearly defined, so that Congress and the Department can work together to resolve it.

There are many great provisions in this mark that our members can be proud of and I am proud to support this mark.