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 full committee markup for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023. The Subcommittee's mark is available here.
Rep. Banks' remarks as prepared for delivery:
Thank you, Chairman Smith and Chairman Langevin.
Our near peers and adversaries are investing in emerging technologies, cyber and other cutting-edge capabilities, and if the Department fails to adapt to the new realities of conflicts, we will find ourselves losing the great power competition. It is not easy to make these types of adjustments for smaller, more agile organizations; it is even more difficult for an organization as large and diverse as the Department of Defense.
I am proud of the mark that the Cyber, Innovative Technologies and Information Systems Subcommittee brings forward today. It is not the magic bullet that will suddenly solve all the Department's challenges, but it does push the Department to continue in the right direction.
Chairman Langevin highlighted many of the excellent provisions in it, but it also tackles two items that I believe are critical for the future –
- It addresses battery needs to ensure we can operate in challenging environments;
- And it focuses on growing our understanding of biotechnology to address our supply chain challenges.
Outside of the CITI mark, I am especially proud of the money we authorized for the Defense Innovation Unit. DIU's mission to bring commercial technology into the Department to improve capabilities and deploy them more quickly is vital in this era of dual-use technology. DIU's work should be expanding, not shrinking, which is why we doubled its funding from last year's numbers. I encourage the Appropriators to follow suit.
I am proud of the work that my subcommittee has done this year, as should the members of this subcommittee, your contributions were key.
Before I wrap up, I want to say thank you to Chairman Langevin for all your work on cyber and emerging technologies. While this may be your last markup as a member of this committee, you have left an indelible mark on our national security posture through your work on cyber and emerging technologies. Thank you.
With that, I yield back.
