In this week’s recap of our work in the People’s House, I hope you’ll take a moment to watch THIS VIDEO highlighting the defense bill we recently passed, known as the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

This nation was built on service before self, and defending the American people is the chief responsibility of our government.

The brave men and women who serve in our military are a constant reminder of that.  While we can never say “thank you” enough, perhaps the best way we can show our gratitude is by making sure our troops are ready with the support and resources they need to keep us safe.

That’s what the National Defense Authorization Act is all about.  With this NDAA, we’re not just spending more – we’re spending better.  We’re using taxpayer dollars wisely and stressing the importance of rebuilding our military.

This is exactly what the people’s representatives should be doing – reviewing, rethinking, and possibly eliminating programs.  In fact, we should be having the same conversation we have for the Defense Department for every program and every agency.

But instead, many programs in our government are largely on autopilot, funded without proper review by the people’s voice in Congress to the tune of more than $300 billion in unauthorized spending.

With a bill I recently introduced, the USA Act, we could extend a similar conversation and oversight to all of government, so every man, woman, and child across this country has their voice heard and feels confident in their lives and in their futures.  I talk more about this in my latest op-ed on CNN.com, “Beware the Zombie Government Programs,” which you can read by CLICKING HERE.