The U.S. House passed its version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) on Thursday by a vote of 316 to 113. Seventy-five Republicans voted against the bill, including Congressman Markwayne Mullin and Congressman Kevin Hern. Congresswoman Stephanie Bice (who sits on the House Armed Services Committee), Congressman Tom Cole and Congressman Frank Lucas voted for the NDAA.
Mullin defends his “no” vote by saying the bill includes provisions which have nothing to do with providing the resources the military needs to protect the country.
“I will always fight hardest in Washington for our service members who put their lives on the line to defend our freedoms every single day,” Mullin said. “Unfortunately, this year’s NDAA has multiple provisions that undermine this goal and do not have our troops’ best interests in mind. This bill includes ‘red flag’ provisions that deprive servicemembers of their Second Amendment rights and a provision to allow illicit cannabis businesses to use the banking system, advancing the legalization agenda. Further, it prevents governors from utilizing the National Guard to secure the border and does not hold the Biden Administration accountable for their actions in Afghanistan. The focus of the NDAA should always be to provide the resources necessary to remain the strongest military in the world. It is not a place to play partisan politics.”
Cole says he voted for H.R. 4350 because it provides more funds to the military than the Biden Administration had requested.
“I am very pleased that Democrats and Republicans in the House were able to come to an agreement and pass a bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act that ensures that our armed forces receive funding commensurate with our national needs. However, I am more pleased that this NDAA rejects President Biden’s proposed underfunding of American defense.
“Indeed, the House Armed Services Committee should be commended for its work on this measure, and its efforts should serve as a model for the House. Since the beginning of this Congress, Republicans have been asking for bipartisanship and to work with Democrats on solving our nation’s problems. We see now what can be accomplished when we allow committees to work together, across the aisle, to produce important legislation without interference from House leadership,” said Cole.
Cole also contradicts Mullin’s statement that there are no measures to hold the Biden Administration accountable for Afghanistan.
“This legislation also includes more than 20 provisions to hold the Biden Administration accountable for its appalling withdrawal of U.S. troops in Afghanistan. These include requiring the U.S. Department of Defense to submit a plan to Congress on how it will evacuate remaining American citizens from Afghanistan, conduct intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance missions and carryout counter-terrorism missions. It also includes language that prohibits the Department of Defense from providing any financial support to the Taliban,” Cole added.
