Rep. Roy on National Defense Authorization Act Vote

Press Release

Rep. Chip Roy released the following statement Tuesday regarding his votes on H.R. 6395, the National Defense Authorization Act :

Today, the House voted on the passage of the FY21 National Defense Authorization Act, which authorizes $740.5 billion in spending for the Department of Defense and related agencies for the next year. Like last year, my Democratic colleagues chose to hijack what has historically been a bipartisan piece of legislation to further their progressive, Leftist agenda. I voted no.

While the legislation has a number of provisions that I fully support, like raising pay for our men and women in uniform, increasing funding for science and technology, and improving military readiness and support for military families, I could in no way support a plethora of progressive policies my Democratic colleagues stuck in the bill.

For starters, Democrats inserted an amendment to the legislation that would prohibit any funding for nuclear testing in FY21. While North Korea and many of our foes continue nuclear testing, it is asinine that the United States of America would be prohibited from spending these appropriations on nuclear testing under this bill. Not only is this ridiculous for reasons of national defense, it is a hat tip to the fact that they want to fundamentally remake the American energy sector to fit their progressive agenda.

The bill pushes climate change measures, infringes on the 2nd amendment rights of our active duty service members, and handicaps the president's ability to use military personnel to help secure our southern border. Furthermore, it leaves on the books both AUMFs, authorizations that are over 18 years old, while making no attempt to provide a clear mission to our service members. Unfortunately, this NDAA is riddled with Leftists agenda items that have nothing to do with national defense authorization.

I look forward to this bill being conferenced with the Senate-passed NDAA and hope a better version comes before me again for a vote. I will continue to fight for TX-21 and our men and women in uniform. They deserve nothing but our best, and sadly Washington often gets in the way of that.

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