Congresswoman Escobar Statement on National Defense Authorization Act

Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) released the following statement:

"The National Defense Authorization Act is one of the most important bills Congress considers each year, and, as a former member of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC), I have tremendous respect for the bipartisan work HASC has done for decades to support our national security and our servicemembers. The United States faces real threats, and we need to make sure our military has the resources, training, and support it's needs. But supporting our national defense also means being responsible with taxpayer dollars and having a clear strategy for how we keep our country safe.

"Congress should not be authorizing massive levels of defense spending while the President launches our country into another conflict without a clear strategy, a defined objective, or a meaningful debate with Congress about the use of military force. We cannot give a blank check to an administration that is recklessly expanding our involvement in another war while Republicans continue to cut critical domestic programs and pass tax breaks for the wealthy here at home.

"Additionally, Republicans ensured several provisions were included in the bill that are red lines for me. Policies that attack LGBTQ+ servicemembers and their families, make firearms more accessible on base, exacerbate voter suppression, expand U.S. military support for Israel by deepening defense technology cooperation and integrating defense supply chains, and more.

"I am proud of the provisions I was able to secure in this bill, including three of my bills: the Streamlining Military Infrastructure Act, JROTC POWER Act, and Military Spouse Employment and Child Care Readiness Act. But those important provisions do not outweigh my concerns about the bill's overall spending levels, the Administration's war of choice with Iran, and the process surrounding its passage. For those reasons, I voted against final passage."