Press Releases

Rep. Barry Loudermilk today voted against the extremely partisan National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) put forward by House Democrats, citing a disturbing departure from the historically bi-partisan agreement on strengthening our military and protecting our citizens at home and abroad.

"The purpose of the NDAA is to provide our military with the tools, weapons, resources and support they need to effectively protect our nation. Because of its importance, for over fifty years the NDAA has been a bi-partisan effort in Congress. Unfortunately for our troops, hundreds of millions of Americans, and our allies across the globe, the House Democrats have cut critical weapons development, aircraft maintenance funding, and critical support for our troops, and they have filled the current House bill with senseless social policies that put our troops and America's citizens at great risk.

“The Senate has already passed a bipartisan NDAA; but, instead of voting on that bill, Speaker Pelosi has allowed pro-socialism Democrats, including those who have called for the elimination of our critical Law Enforcement and Border Security agencies, to help craft this ultra-partisan bill. I cannot, and will not, vote for an NDAA that fails to provide the support our brave men and women in uniform need to fulfill the mission we have asked them to perform."

Background:

o Cuts Military Personnel Funding —cuts $1.2 billion from military personnel funding, which will make it difficult for the military to meet the 3.1% pay raise required by law, as well as sustain military spouse employment and childcare shortages

o Makes Plans to Bring Terrorists to U.S.—bans new detainee transfers, requires a plan that will bring detainees to the U.S. Does not support a new facility to replace the failing one at Guantanamo Bay (GTMO)—endangering U.S. military personnel

o Cuts Nuclear Deterrence—cuts important nuclear recapitalization and modernization of multiple nuclear programs—directly endangering our position with foreign adversaries—in particular Russia, which is currently spending billions on nuclear modernization

o Prohibits Border Security Funding—mandates that no funds may be used for the construction of a border wall. The bill would pull back military construction funds not already obligated for the wall, and possibly harm the recovery of other critical infrastructure, which is vital to readiness

o Hinders Customs and Border Protection—makes it more difficult for the military to assist customs and border protection in securing the border

o Limits Military Response to Threats—prohibits the use of military force in Iran or Venezuela

o Slows Readiness Recovery—military aviation deaths hit a six-year high in 2018—accidents rising 40% from 2013-2017. The House Armed Services Committee found that readiness degradation had slowed and the accident rates had begun to decline. The arbitrary cuts to the topline will hurt our troops, and slow this recovery trend

o Cuts Necessary Funding for Facilities—cuts facilities sustainment funding—despite an estimated doubling of the number of “failing” facilities in recent years

o No Funding for Disaster Recovery—does not support the billions in disaster relief needed to rebuild Offutt AFB, Tyndall AFB, MCAS Cherry Point, and MCB Camp Lejeune, yet it supports climate change and climate resiliency

o Encourages Illegal Immigration—would block a 2017 DoD memo requiring legal permanent residents to pass a Military Service Suitability Determination (MSSD) and National Security Determination (NSD) before being allowed to serve in the military

o Forces Gender Integrated Training—prohibits gender-segregated training at Marine Corps recruit depots in South Carolina and California

o Cuts Topline funding—$15 billion less than the President’s budget request. The Acting Secretary of Defense and other military personnel testified that 3-5% of real growth is needed to continue readiness restoration and to deter threats from Russia and China. No-one testified in support of arbitrary cuts. The $15 billion cut will set back the progress we have made in restoring readiness, supporting military personnel, and sustaining the military’s ability to protect America from our enemies

o Cuts Weapons Modernization—cutting the topline means harmful cuts to modernization in hypersonics, 5G, LCS, etc.