Press Releases

 

 

Contact: 

Staci Cox 

(202) 225- 4572

 

 

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Gwen Moore (WI-4) opposed the final FY 2014 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) or H.R. 1960, which sets defense funding priorities. She released this statement:  

 

“In its entirety, the NDAA could take us backwards by breaking through budgetary caps set in the Budget Control Act and failing to make the tough fiscal choices required by every other domestic federal department and agency. This bill further ties the President’s hands in moving forward on efforts to responsibly reduce our nuclear arsenal, including infringing on his ability to implement the New START Treaty. In addition, the NDAA does nothing to reform a host of controversial terrorism policies, such as indefinite detention of U.S. citizens by the military. Our defense legislation must reflect the need to better balance our values and rights in the war against terrorists. 

 

“I was also troubled by the continued funding for the war in Afghanistan. In these stringent budgetary times, fiscally disciplined House Republican leaders found the funds to boost war spending to $86 billion, $5 billion above what the President requested. 

 

“With regard to reducing sexual assault in the military, the bill did take some helpful steps to address the prevalence of military sexual assaults. As we work to reduce the prevalence of these crimes, however, it is important to fully consider a variety of bold options including removing prosecution power from the chain of command. I am deeply disappointed that even though the House Rules Committee allowed votes on 170 amendments to this bill, it blocked proponents of the chain of command amendment from getting a vote on the floor of the House.

  

“For these reasons, among others, I could not support the National Defense Authorization Act. We must prioritize our national security and do so responsibly.”

 

 

###