Issue Position: Defense and National Security

Issue Position

Now more than ever, the members of our military deserve a true partner in Washington and in Congress. That is why I have consistently supported budgets and authorization bills that support the mission of our armed forces and make important investments in our national defense.

Most recently, I supported the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015, which authorizes $592.9 billion defense discretionary spending while still responsibly cutting spending from the previous year. This legislation ensures our military has the tools necessary to keep America safe and would give our troops a much needed pay raise.

I do not believe that national security and the right to privacy are mutually exclusive. For that reason I have also supported measures such as the Massie Amendment to the Department of Defense Appropriations Act which would bar funding for the National Security Agency's (NSA) blanket collection of metadata without a warrant.

The men and women of our armed forces deserve our utmost respect and gratitude. I am committed to ensuring that their sacrifices are properly honored with our defense and national security policy.

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