Rep. Calvert Statement on The Defense Appropriations Markup

Statement

Today, Defense Appropriations Subcommittee Ranking Member Ken Calvert (CA-42) issued the following statement on the Appropriations Committee markup of the Fiscal Year 2021 Defense Appropriations bill:

"There's no greater responsibility of our Committee than providing the funding necessary to train, equip, and supply the men and women in our Armed Forces for the missions they are asked to carry out to secure our nation. The bill considered by the Committee today meets that responsibility by significantly investing in shipbuilding, aircraft, as well as the research and development needed to ensure America wins the race on hypersonics, AI, quantum computing, and other technological fronts critical for our national security. I'm also pleased that we were able to give our troops a full 3% pay raise and include robust funding for the health and family care programs that are essential for our military families. Unfortunately, the bill contains a number of partisan, poison pill policy riders that do not belong in a spending bill and restrict the ability of our national security leaders, including the commander in chief, to respond to emergencies. Limitations on troop deployments to respond to national emergencies at the southern border and restrictions on property transfers with state and local law enforcement only serve political interests and make it more difficult to pass this important bill through Congress."

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