Washington, D.C. – Rep. Kristi Noem spoke on the House floor against an amendment that would delay development of the next generation bomber. Rep. Noem reiterated the important role America’s bomber fleet plays in our national security. The amendment was defeated on the floor, with 308 members voting “no” and 112 members voting “yes.”
Transcript:
“Thank you Mr. Speaker. Earlier today I was on this House floor commemorating the 70th anniversary of Ellsworth Air Force Base, which is in my great state of South Dakota.
“The average age of our bomber fleet is 40 years old. Old dogs can learn new tricks, and our bombers are certainly doing that. They’ve been updated as much as they possibly can be but they do eventually still get older.
“I will tell you that the B-1 bomber performed admirably over the last three decades. And so has the B-2 and the B-52. But I will tell you we must continue to upgrade and to maintain our bomber fleet.
“Prohibiting development of the new generation bomber for ten years is short-sighted and puts out national security at risk. I urge my colleagues to vote against this amendment.”