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US CONGRESS · SITTING

Donald Norcross

Representative for New Jersey · Democratic · United States

IN THEIR OWN WORDS

Mr. Chair, I thank Ranking Member Smith and Chairman Rogers for crafting this bill. Mr. Chair, this bill continues the Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee's proud bipartisan tradition and reaffirms our shared responsibility for managing strategic risk.

CREC-2026-07-21-PT1-PGH4736 · READ IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD

Chair, this bill also addresses the risks and the costs of military modernization without sacrificing oversight, such as authorizing multiyear procurement for the F-15EX and the F-35 aircraft, conditional on procuring sufficient spares for each aircraft; requiring the Air Force to budget for procurement a sufficient number of E-7A aircraf…

CREC-2026-07-21-PT1-PGH4736 · READ IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD

Finally, I thank our subcommittee professional staff, including Jay Vallario, Mike Kirlin, Heath Bope, Caroline Kehrli, Brooke Alred, and certainly my personal staff, Sam DeVito, Naajidah Khan, and our defense fellow Captain John Dacier for their work on this bill.

CREC-2026-07-21-PT1-PGH4736 · READ IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 116 (Thursday, July 16, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 116 (Thursday, July 16, 2026)] [House] [Page H4547] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] WELCOMING REVEREND JON THOMAS The SPEAKER. Without objection, Mr.

WELCOMING REVEREND JON THOMAS · 2026-07-16 · READ IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 116 (Thursday, July 16, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 116 (Thursday, July 16, 2026)] [House] [Page H4547] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] WELCOMING REVEREND JON THOMAS The SPEAKER. Without objection, Mr.

CREC-2026-07-16-PT1-PGH4547-5 · READ IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD

As pastor in Atlantic City, he provided assistance and spiritual guidance to the workers in the hospitality industry in Atlantic City. Since 2020, he has served as pastor of Christ the King in Haddonfield. The year I met him, he was hosting a virtual mass for frontline workers who were, during the pandemic, being challenged.

CREC-2026-07-16-PT1-PGH4547-5 · READ IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD

The complete record

Every one of 7 lines we hold for Donald Norcross, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account.

  1. Finally, I thank our subcommittee professional staff, including Jay Vallario, Mike Kirlin, Heath Bope, Caroline Kehrli, Brooke Alred, and certainly my personal staff, Sam DeVito, Naajidah Khan, and our defense fellow Captain John Dacier for their work on this bill.

    CREC-2026-07-21-PT1-PGH4736 · READ IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD

  2. Chair, this bill also addresses the risks and the costs of military modernization without sacrificing oversight, such as authorizing multiyear procurement for the F-15EX and the F-35 aircraft, conditional on procuring sufficient spares for each aircraft; requiring the Air Force to budget for procurement a sufficient number of E-7A aircraft; and authorizing multiyear procurement for key munitions, coupled with strong funding for the munitions industrial base. Mr. Chair, this bill also includes legislation that fortifies the Office of the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation. I have great concern with this administration's plan for the DOT&E. We must ensure this office remains independent and relevant.

    CREC-2026-07-21-PT1-PGH4736 · READ IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD

  3. Mr. Chair, I thank Ranking Member Smith and Chairman Rogers for crafting this bill. Mr. Chair, this bill continues the Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee's proud bipartisan tradition and reaffirms our shared responsibility for managing strategic risk. In particular, I thank Chairman Wittman and our subcommittee staff for building this strong bipartisan bill. I am, however, disappointed that some in the majority would kill the bipartisan hard work that we have done on this bill. Our servicemembers and their families deserve better. Mr. Chair, this bill authorizes funding levels for key defense programs, including $4.3 billion for helicopter procurement, $3.3 billion for the F-35 program, over $3.9 billion for ground combat vehicles, and over $4.9 billion for key weapon systems procurement. Mr.

    CREC-2026-07-21-PT1-PGH4736 · READ IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD

  4. As pastor in Atlantic City, he provided assistance and spiritual guidance to the workers in the hospitality industry in Atlantic City. Since 2020, he has served as pastor of Christ the King in Haddonfield. The year I met him, he was hosting a virtual mass for frontline workers who were, during the pandemic, being challenged. Since 2022, he has served as chaplain to the New Jersey AFL-CIO. In 2025, he was appointed vicar general of the Diocese of Camden, serving roughly 475,000 Catholics across south Jersey. I thank Father Thomas for the prayer, the call for unity, and to our community. ____________________

    CREC-2026-07-16-PT1-PGH4547-5 · READ IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD

  5. Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 116 (Thursday, July 16, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 116 (Thursday, July 16, 2026)] [House] [Page H4547] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] WELCOMING REVEREND JON THOMAS The SPEAKER. Without objection, Mr. Norcross of New Jersey was recognized for 1 minute. There was no objection. Mr. NORCROSS. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to welcome guest chaplain, Father Jon Thomas, priest and vicar general of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden. He was born and raised in south Jersey and educated at Catholic University right here in D.C. Father Jon was ordained in 2010 and has since served the parishes across south Jersey.

    CREC-2026-07-16-PT1-PGH4547-5 · READ IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD

  6. As pastor in Atlantic City, he provided assistance and spiritual guidance to the workers in the hospitality industry in Atlantic City. Since 2020, he has served as pastor of Christ the King in Haddonfield. The year I met him, he was hosting a virtual mass for frontline workers who were, during the pandemic, being challenged. Since 2022, he has served as chaplain to the New Jersey AFL-CIO. In 2025, he was appointed vicar general of the Diocese of Camden, serving roughly 475,000 Catholics across south Jersey. I thank Father Thomas for the prayer, the call for unity, and to our community. ____________________

    WELCOMING REVEREND JON THOMAS · 2026-07-16 · READ IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD

  7. Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 116 (Thursday, July 16, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 116 (Thursday, July 16, 2026)] [House] [Page H4547] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] WELCOMING REVEREND JON THOMAS The SPEAKER. Without objection, Mr. Norcross of New Jersey was recognized for 1 minute. There was no objection. Mr. NORCROSS. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to welcome guest chaplain, Father Jon Thomas, priest and vicar general of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden. He was born and raised in south Jersey and educated at Catholic University right here in D.C. Father Jon was ordained in 2010 and has since served the parishes across south Jersey.

    WELCOMING REVEREND JON THOMAS · 2026-07-16 · READ IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD