Jayapal Statement on Vote Against Massive Pentagon Budget

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) released the following statement after voting against the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA):

"As families across this country struggle to keep food on the table and are facing health care premiums that will be doubling or even tripling in the coming days, Republicans are showing clearly where their priorities lie. Today, the Republican NDAA handed more than $890 billion to the Pentagon, more than $8 billion over Trump's original exorbitant funding request.

"A fraction of this money would be enough to extend health care subsidies for a decade, restore Medicaid funding for 17 million Americans, end homelessness, pay for universal pre-k, or fund anti-poverty programs like the enhanced Child Tax Credit - things that would actually ease the cost-of-living crisis that Americans are facing.

"The Pentagon has never successfully passed an audit, yet we continue to pump more into this unaccountable agency. This is as Trump has deployed National Guard members to our cities, wasting millions of dollars, politicizing our servicemembers, and militarizing our communities.

"I do support the repeal of the 1991 and 2002 Authorized Uses of Military Force (AUMF) legislation in this bill that will help put an end to forever wars. However, I cannot support legislation that pumps $890 billion into the Pentagon while leaving the American people behind on health care, education, and infrastructure. I voted no."

Issues: Foreign Affairs & National Security