Byrne Statement on Defense Authorization Bill

Statement

Congressman Bradley Byrne (R-AL) released the following statement after the House Armed Services Committee reported the National Defense Authorization Act out of committee by a vote of 33 to 24.

"National security and military programs are critical to Alabama, so I could not support the Democrat-written defense authorization bill that did not include the resources necessary to support our military men and women and restore our defense readiness," said Byrne. "Despite growing threats to our national security, Democrats used what has traditionally been a bipartisan defense bill to weaken our border security, harm our nuclear posture, and ease the transfer of Guantanamo detainees into the United States. Democrats included a provision to block President Trump from picking the paint in the new Air Force Ones, but they couldn't even provide the base amount of resources Pentagon leaders say is necessary to defend our country.

"The defense of our country is too important an issue, so I hope Democrats stop with the political games and decide to work together to ensure our military has the policy and resources necessary to keep the American people safe."

By reducing the overall topline, the FY 2020 National Defense Authorization Act reduces the resources available to improve and maintain our defense readiness. The bill also prohibits the use of funds to address the humanitarian and security crisis at our Southern border.

Byrne introduced amendments to prohibit the transfer of GTMO detainees to the U.S. and eliminate prohibitions on President Trump modernizing Air Force One, but Democrats defeated these amendments.

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