On the floor in Congress today is the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020, which discusses non-budget related policies for programs and activities related to the Department of Defense. This includes topics such as military personnel strength and logistical aspects.
The bill, among many things, would prevent the US from financially aiding Saudi Arabia in their war against Yemen.
Rep. Ted. Lieu (D) tweeted about one of the amendments in the bill, “Proud the House passed our Lieu #NDAA Amdt blocking arms sales to Saudi Arabia & the UAE through @POTUS emergency declaration. Theres no indication these sales benefit the American public. If they do, the Administration must make its case to Congress.”
In regards to the bill lifting the ban on transgender Americans serving in the military, Rep. Jackie Speier (D) tweeted, “It’s official! My amendment to protect the rights of all people, including our transgender military service members, to serve openly in our armed forces is in the #NDAA . @POTUS ‘ trans troops ban is based in hatred, not fact & weakens strength & readiness.”
In regards to small farms, Rep. Antonio Delgado (D) tweeted, “Last week, I visited farms in #NY19 & learned about their work w orgs to help veterans transition to jobs in agriculture. Following these tours, I offered a #FY20NDAA amdt requiring a report from certain defense agencies on programs, policies, & practices relating to small farms.”
“This amendment to the FY20 National Defense Authorization Act will allow defense agencies and Congress to better understand how much the Armed Forces are working with small and family-owned farms to supply commissaries and our men & women in uniform.”
Some Republicans thought the bill was too partisan.
Rep. Doug Lamborn (R) tweeted, “We have a top priority in Congress of providing for the defense of our nation. Rather than focusing on the task in front of us, Democrats chose to put politics first, inserting partisan poison pill amendments into the NDAA- which has been historically bipartisan for 60 years.”
Rep. Michael Guest (R) tweeted, “The National Defense Authorization Act is not a political tool. The Senate passed a bi-partisan version of the legislation, but instead of bringing it to the floor, Democrats are playing politics at the expense of our military.”
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