RELEASE: Auchincloss Votes ‘No’ on NDAA and Calls to Support Democracy Abroad
“I'm voting ‘No’ on the NDAA because the Pentagon, as the world's biggest bureaucracy, should do 10% more with 10% less. … [T]hat 10% savings would be enough to fund Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan.”
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Jake Auchincloss (D, MA-04) voted against the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Congressman Auchincloss served in the marines; is a member of the House Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party; and is a member of the Defense Spending Reduction Caucus. A statement from the congressman can be found below:
“I support a strong U.S. military, especially in this more dangerous world for democracy. I'm voting ‘No’ on the NDAA because the Pentagon, as the world's biggest bureaucracy, should do 10% more with 10% less. As I said this summer, after my previous ‘No’ vote, that 10% savings would be enough to fund Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan.
“That is not the course this Congress has taken, and so I will continue to fight for the president's supplemental security funding for our democratic allies.”
Following the vote, the Congressman spoke on the House floor to urge the Speaker to bring President Biden’s request for supplemental aid for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan up for a vote.
“The world is not only watching how we respond to Ukraine right now, but whether or not we will stand with our ally Israel – the only liberal Democracy in the Middle East – and whether or not we’re prepared to buttress Taiwan as they face increased hostility from the Chinese Communist Party,” said Auchincloss. “This week, the Speaker wasted the House’s time on a baseless impeachment inquiry, but he still can’t put a bill on the floor to fund our Democratic allies.”
To learn more about Congressman Jake Auchincloss visit https://auchincloss.house.gov or connect with him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or YouTube.