Oklahoma House Members on NDDA Vote

The tally was four to one among Oklahoma’s Congressional House Delegation on Friday’s vote on the House Democrats’ version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The four Republican Congressman voted against it, while the Democrat Congresswoman voted for it.

The House vote was 220 to 197 which is pretty much a party line vote. The Senate passed its version of the NDAA earlier. President Trump has indicated he would sign the Senate version.

Below are the statements from the members after the vote was taken.

 

Congresswoman Kendra Horn: Voted Yes

“As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I was honored to play a significant part in crafting this legislation. It carries out one of our most critical tasks: ensuring a strong national defense. It makes sure our military continues to be the strongest in the world, creates more accountability and supports our troops. I’m proud of the work I and my House Armed Services Committee colleagues from both sides of the aisle put into this and I’m proud to vote on it today.

“The bill not only makes critical investment but ensures we’re doing so wisely. It includes a host of provisions that promote accountability, transparency and oversight, such as an amendment I introduced with my Oklahoma colleague, Congressman Tom Cole. Our amendment requires an Inspector General audit of all depot maintenance sole source contracts. The bill also includes a bipartisan amendment I introduced that reduces the regulatory burdens and obstacles for auditors and public accountants conducting audits.”

“Building a strong national defense is not only about planes and tanks. We also have to invest in our most critical resource: our service members. I’m proud we implemented the highest pay raise for active military in a decade – 3.1 percent. This bill also ensures all federal employees have access to 12 weeks of paid family leave.

“I am incredibly proud to have led the charge on creating new protections for families in base housing. During my first town hall, a woman in my district raised concerns about unacceptable housing conditions at Tinker Air Force Base including mold, vermin infestations and exposed asbestos.

“I took immediate action and began working with the Readiness Subcommittee to address the problem, and we learned the issues went far beyond Tinker.

“As a member of the House Armed Services Committee I fought for a Tenants Bill of Rights for families in base housing. It bans unfair contracts and non-disclosure agreements, so families don’t have to suffer in secrecy. It appropriates $140 million for increased oversight of those housing developments.

“The House Armed Services Committee spent 21 consecutive hours in the markup to address concerns from both sides of the aisle. Throughout the process, more than half of Republicans’ requests made it into the underlying bill – the same rate as Democratic requests.

The end product, like any other piece of legislation, doesn’t please everyone. It represents compromise.”

 

Congressman Frank Lucas: Voted No

“For nearly six decades, the NDAA was a symbol of Congress’ commitment to putting party politics aside and upholding the safety and security of our nation’s defense and the needs of the brave men and women who serve in the ranks of our military. Unfortunately, partisan provisions in this bill have swindled our armed services and defrauded the bill of bipartisan support.

“Ignoring advice from top military brass, including individuals such as former Secretary of Defense Mattis and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dunford, calling for 3-5% growth, an increase of technological programs, and the strengthening of nuclear deterrent programs, the NDAA instead undermines our nation’s defense. Reducing personnel accounts by $1.2 billion, cutting programs critical to deterring Russian and Chinese aggression, and preventing the Trump Administration from securing the Southern border, House Democrats are instead using our nation’s military as a political pawn in their dispute with the President.

Oklahoma’s 58,271 active duty, reserve, and civilian defense personnel deserve Congress’ bipartisan support and our nation deserves a Congress who upholds its duty to provide for the common defense. I applaud Sen. Inhofe’s leadership providing such support in the Senate and look forward to Congress’ return to its bipartisan commitment.”

 

Congressman Tom Cole: Voted No

“I am disappointed that House Democrats have turned a historically bipartisan effort into a partisan exercise. For nearly 60 years, members on both sides of the aisle have come together to authorize funding for our nation’s military personnel, readiness and operations. Until today, I’ve never voted against the annual National Defense Authorization Act because it’s always been a bipartisan product that rightly affirms support for our troops and the critical resources they need to be effective.

“Despite the partisan failure in the House, there is a realistic and responsible path forward. Thanks to the hard work of Senate Armed Services Chairman Jim Inhofe and members of the committee, the Senate already passed an NDAA – by a strong bipartisan vote of 86-8 – that more closely mirrors the needs of the American military. House Democrats should have worked with Republicans to achieve the same goals to begin with, but in the days to come, I hope they choose the sensible course and vote on the Senate’s NDAA since it can actually become law. The troops deserve our full support.”

 

Congressman Markwayne Mullin: Voted No

“For the last 58 years, the NDAA has been a bipartisan bill where both sides have come together to put America first. Unfortunately, this year Pelosi Democrats have packed the bill with partisan provisions that undermine our national security and undercut our military’s ability to keep us safe. Now, more than ever, we should be investing in our men and women in uniform and striving to achieve peace through strength. It is shameful that Pelosi Democrats chose to put politics before our troops.”

 

Congressman Kevin Hern: Voted No

“Funding our national defense is a bipartisan priority, but bipartisanship is not reflected in this bill. The NDAA has long been the result of spirited bipartisan debate and participation, but the new Democrat majority has chosen to forsake decades of precedent to further their own, unpopular policies. Even under Speaker Pelosi’s first turn as Speaker, the NDAA was a bipartisan bill. Now, the partisan poison pills included in this bill are forced long-serving members like my colleague Tom Cole to vote against funding our military for the first time in his Congressional career. The sad reality is that the Democrat majority turned this bill into something it was never meant to be.

“Thankfully, we have Senator Jim Inhofe leading the Senate Armed Services Committee. Senator Inhofe is fully dedicated to getting our military the funding they deserve, and I truly believe his version of the bill is the one that will become law.”

 


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