Lucas, Hern decry partisan NDAA bill

Partisan Politics Undermines Military Defense Funding

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Frank Lucas (OK-03) released the following statement after House Democrats passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2020 by a partisan line vote of 220 - 197.

“For nearly six decades, the NDAA was a symbol of Congress’ commitment to putting party politics aside and upholding the safety and security of our nation’s defense and the needs of the brave men and women who serve in the ranks of our military,” said Congressman Lucas. “Unfortunately, partisan provisions in this bill have swindled our armed services and defrauded the bill of bipartisan support.

Lucas continued, “Ignoring advice from top military brass, including individuals such as former Secretary of Defense Mattis and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dunford, calling for 3-5% growth, an increase of technological programs, and the strengthening of nuclear deterrent programs, the NDAA instead undermines our nation’s defense. Reducing personnel accounts by $1.2 billion, cutting programs critical to deterring Russian and Chinese aggression, and preventing the Trump Administration from securing the Southern border, House Democrats are instead using our nation’s military as a political pawn in their dispute with the President.

Oklahoma’s 58,271 active duty, reserve, and civilian defense personnel deserve Congress’ bipartisan support and our nation deserves a Congress who upholds its duty to provide for the common defense. I applaud Sen. Inhofe’s leadership providing such support in the Senate and look forward to Congress’ return to its bipartisan commitment.”

Background: The Senate passed the NDAA with a bipartisan vote of 86 – 8. The Senate-passed National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2020 supports a total of $750 billion for national defense programs, including a 3.1% pay raise for 2.15 million troops, maintains a secure and credible nuclear deterrent, and provides resources for the modernization of our nation’s military technology and capabilities.

The House-passed NDAA cuts personnel accounts by $1.2 billion, reduces nuclear modernization and recapitalization programs, forces the Trump Administration to close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, and bans construction projects on the Southern border.

REP. HERN CONDEMNS DEMOCRAT NDAA FOR LACK OF BIPARTISAN WORK

WASHINGTON, DC – Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01) released the following statement after voting against the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act.

“Funding our national defense is a bipartisan priority, but bipartisanship is not reflected in this bill,” said Rep. Hern. “The NDAA has long been the result of spirited bipartisan debate and participation, but the new Democrat majority has chosen to forsake decades of precedent to further their own, unpopular policies. Even under Speaker Pelosi’s first turn as Speaker, the NDAA was a bipartisan bill. Now, the partisan poison pills included in this bill are forced long-serving members like my colleague Tom Cole to vote against funding our military for the first time in his Congressional career. The sad reality is that the Democrat majority turned this bill into something it was never meant to be.

Rep. Hern continued, “Thankfully, we have Senator Jim Inhofe leading the Senate Armed Services Committee. Senator Inhofe is fully dedicated to getting our military the funding they deserve, and I truly believe his version of the bill is the one that will become law.”

BACKGROUND:

The House voted on the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) today with a vote of 220-197.

The House NDAA seeks to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility, transferring terrorists to US soil. It prevents President Trump’s Administration from taking military action to secure the Southern border and makes cuts to the programs and capabilities critical to deterring Russia & China, including nuclear modernization.

The Senate NDAA, which passed 86-8 in June, included an additional $17 billion for defense spending. The White House supports the Senate bill and has promised to veto the House version.