House Democrats Play Politics with Defense Bill

(Washington, DC) – Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) issued the following statement after voting against the National Defense Authorization Act of 2020. Historically a bipartisan bill to fund our defense and armed forces, House Democrats have added countless partisan provisions that slash military funding and jeopardize our national security.

LaMalfa said: "While the NDAA is a traditionally bipartisan bill, House Democrats have done what they've become accustomed to doing since they've been in charge – insert partisan politics into what would normally be good legislation. Instead of negotiating to pass a bipartisan bill, as the Senate did when passing their version 86-8, House Democrats have forced through a messaging bill that has no chance of becoming law. This version severely underfunds our military at a time when our biggest geopolitical rivals are doing the exact opposite. Moscow and Beijing continue to aggressively increase their posture on the international stage, and this legislation damages the United States' ability to deter our adversaries and protect our borders. Our military personnel will be hit with $1.2 billion in funding cuts and asked to do more with even fewer resources than before. Speaker Pelosi should allow for a vote on the stronger Senate bill and provide our military personnel with adequate funding to protect our nation's sovereignty."

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