Congresswoman Hahn Announces Her No Vote on Defense Bill that Continues War in Afghanistan

Press Release

This afternoon, Congresswoman Janice Hahn, a fierce opponent of the war in Afghanistan, declared her opposition to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for FY 2013. The Republican defense bill increases defense spending and slows the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan.

"I will vote no on this defense bill because it does not meet my goal of ending the war in Afghanistan quickly," said Rep. Hahn. "1,843 young men and women have lost their lives and 17,000 have become casualties in Afghanistan. That is why I have co-sponsored legislation with Representative Barbara Lee that would mandate that any Afghanistan funding be used only to bring our troops home."

The defense bill authorizes $554.1 billion for defense with an additional $88.5 billion for overseas operations, including the war in Afghanistan. This total is $8.2 billion higher than Republicans had agreed to in the Budget Control Act of 2011. Republicans have also inserted language into the bill that would slow the President's ability to withdraw troops.

"Last October, on the weekend of the 10th anniversary of the war in Afghanistan, I visited Arlington West -- a moving memorial to the men and women who have died in that war," Rep. Hahn said. "Every Sunday morning, on the sands of Santa Monica Beach, volunteers put up a cross for every soldier who had lost their life. As the number of dead grew, they were only able to put up one cross for every 10 soldiers. I don't want to go back to Arlington West only to see them adding still more crosses."

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