Hagedorn Statement on Passage of the NDAA

Statement

WASHINGTON -- Today, Congressman Jim Hagedorn (MN-01) voted against H.R. 4350, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022. The bill passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 316-113.

Hagedorn issued the following statement after the vote:

"On one hand, the defense authorization bill brought before the House today represents a much-needed expansion of resources for our military and service members. However, the Pentagon has become increasingly politicized these past nine months and is in dire need of new leadership and reform.

"Neither President Biden nor any senior officials have been held accountable for the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan. Changes must take place given the massive failure that resulted in the loss of 13 service members, the abandonment of hundreds of Americans, and handing over billions of dollars' worth of military equipment to the Taliban.

"A sign of the increased politicization of our military is the inclusion of the "Drafting our Daughters' provision. I support the patriotic women who volunteer for military service and respect their commitment and courage. But this shift in policy to involuntary registration is just the latest step in misusing the U.S. military for social experimentation.

"Moreover, I have grave concerns with a number of extraneous provisions added to the bill during the legislative process. Red flag laws could potentially strip military members of their Second Amendment rights simply based upon an accusation. And, there are massive expansions in federal land designations that will block the extraction of vital natural resources, a policy that has no place in the reauthorization of our Nation's defense programs.

"The priority of our military must be on national security and winning on the battlefield. There are a number of emerging threats around the globe. Our focus must be to defend America, stand with our allies, and project freedom and liberty. When the Pentagon becomes increasingly politicized or we use the defense bill as a vehicle for other priorities, we lose that focus.

"Contrary to the addition of superfluous measures, I was very pleased that my amendment providing financial literacy training and assistance from financial service providers to service members on overseas military installations was added to the NDAA. It is critical that we enable our brave service members and their families to receive quality financial resources.

"The bill voted upon today is seriously flawed, so I voted "no." Moving forward, the final conference report of the NDAA must be free of politicization and extraneous provisions. The NDAA should focus upon the military's mission and include the necessary resources for our brave and hardworking military men and women."

Jim Hagedorn was reelected in 2020 to serve Minnesota's First District in the U.S. House of Representatives for a second term. He grew up on his family's grain and livestock farm near Truman. Jim's father, former Congressman Tom Hagedorn (MN-02), grandfather, and great-grandfather were all southern Minnesota farmers, and Jim resides in the rural community of Blue Earth. During his time in Congress, Hagedorn has consistently fought for the conservative principles that have made America the greatest nation in the history of the world and championed legislation to promote the First District's primary industries and job creators -- farming, small business and medical care. Hagedorn is a member of the House Committees on Agriculture and Small Business.

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